Optical properties of blue-light-emitting Y2 O3 :Ce nanophosphor for solid-state lighting application

The structural, surface morphological, optical absorption and emission features of Y2 O3 :Ce (0%-5%) were studied. The samples had a body-centred cubic crystal structure. The undoped sample had a crystallite size of 29.03 nm, and it varied after doping with Ce. The grain size of the samples varied from 23.00 to 50.78 nm. All the samples exhibited a strong absorption band at 206 nm due to F-centre absorption and absorption involving the delocalised bands. In addition, the doped samples exhibited a secondary band at ~250 nm due to 4f → 5d transitions of Ce3+ ions. The optical bandgap of the undoped sample was found to be ~5.37 eV, and it decreased to 5.20 eV with an increase in Ce concentration to 5%. The undoped sample under 350-nm excitation exhibited a broad photoluminescence (PL) emission band with the maxima at 406 nm and a secondary band at 463 nm. In contrast, multiple PL peaks were centred at ~397, 436, 466, 488 and 563 nm in all the doped samples. The average lifetime of the emission band at 406 nm was 1.05 ns and that of the emission band at ~466 nm was 1.63 ns. The material has potential for solid-state lighting applications.

Effect of membrane stabilizers on semen quality and sperm membrane protein expression during cryopreservation of goat semen

BACKGROUND

Semen cryopreservation is a complex process during which there is alteration in the expression of sperm and seminal plasma proteins, molecular weight of protein or loss of membrane proteins during the process. In order to compensate for these changes, different membrane stabilizers are used in freezing semen extenders. However, there is scarcity of such studies during cryopreservation of goat semen.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of membrane stabilizers on sperm membrane protein expression during cryopreservation of goat semen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 semen ejaculates from nine Assam Hill Goat bucks aged 2 to 2.5 years was collected by artificial vagina method. Three membrane stabilizers, each at two different concentrations viz. 50 and 80 mM sucrose, 50 and 100 mM trehalose, and 100 and 150 ng per mL IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1 protein) were added to Tris-citric acid fructose egg yolk glycerol (TCFEYG) extender and semen samples were cryopreserved. The sperm membrane protein profile was studied in fresh and cryopreserved semen by SDS-PAGE.

RESULTS

SDS- PAGE of sperm membrane extract of fresh semen revealed the presence of 24 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa. Samples supplemented with 50 mM sucrose and 80 mM sucrose revealed 21 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa. All the 21 protein bands were same as those observed in the sperm membrane of fresh spermatozoa, except that the 23 kDa, 29 kDa and 42 kDa bands were absent in frozen semen. Similarly, frozen semen extended with 50 mM trehalose and 100 mM trehalose revealed 22 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa, but lacking the 29 kDa and 42 kDa bands. Proteins with molecular weights of 29 kDa, 130 kDa and 240 kDa were absent in frozen semen supplemented with 100 ng per mL IGF-1 and 150 ng per mL IGF-1.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that supplementation of tris basic extender with trehalose at 100 mM and or IGF-1 at 100 ng/mL or 150 ng per mL improves the post-thaw semen characteristics and protects certain fertility related sperm membrane proteins. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23510110612.

Inhibition of growth and virulence of Vibrio cholerae by carvacrol, an essential oil component of Origanum spp

AIMS

In the age where bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics is increasing at an alarming rate, the use of the traditional plant, herb extracts or other bioactive constituents is gradually becoming popular as an anti-virulence agent to treat pathogenic diseases. Carvacrol, a major essential oil fraction of Oregano, possesses a wide range of bioactivities. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of sub-inhibitory concentrations of carvacrol on major virulence traits of Vibrio cholerae.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We have used in vitro as well as ex vivo models to access the anti-pathogenic role of carvacrol. We found that the sub-inhibitory concentration of carvacrol significantly repressed bacterial mucin penetrating ability. Carvacrol also reduced the adherence and fluid accumulation in the rabbit ileal loop model. Reduction in virulence is associated with the downregulated expression of tcpA, ctxB, hlyA and toxT. Furthermore, carvacrol inhibits flagellar synthesis by downregulating the expression of flrC and most of the class III genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Carvacrol exhibited anti-virulence activity against V. cholerae, which involved many events including the inhibition of mucin penetration, adhesion, reduced expression of virulence-associated genes culminating in reduced fluid accumulation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These findings indicate that carvacrol possesses inhibitory activity against V. cholerae pathogenesis and might be considered as a potential bio-active therapeutic alternative to combat cholera.

Media narratives of kindness − a critique

Since the coronavirus outbreak, various media outlets across the globe have disseminated and promoted stories of kindness as registers for COVID-19 response. These narratives of kindness appeal to the human capacity to do good, inviting the public to ‘make a difference’ by performing altruistic acts of helping those who are less fortunate or in a time of need. However, there is a dark side to these narratives, one that does not serve those who are precarious, underprivileged or marginalised, by obfuscating and erasing necessary conversations on the transformative policies and infrastructure changes needed to address fundamental structural issues underlying the deep inequalities we inhabit in a COVID world.

Ten considerations for effectively managing the COVID-19 transition

Governments around the world have implemented measures to manage the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While the majority of these measures are proving effective, they have a high social and economic cost, and response strategies are being adjusted. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that communities should have a voice, be informed and engaged, and participate in this transition phase. We propose ten considerations to support this principle: (1) implement a phased approach to a 'new normal'; (2) balance individual rights with the social good; (3) prioritise people at highest risk of negative consequences; (4) provide special support for healthcare workers and care staff; (5) build, strengthen and maintain trust; (6) enlist existing social norms and foster healthy new norms; (7) increase resilience and self-efficacy; (8) use clear and positive language; (9) anticipate and manage misinformation; and (10) engage with media outlets. The transition phase should also be informed by real-time data according to which governmental responses should be updated.

Endotheliotropic herpesvirus infection in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) of Assam, India

Background and Aim:

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is an emerging disease of elephant. Therefore, a study was conducted to know the actual status of the disease in Assam State of India.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 289 Asian elephants of Assam were screened during 2 years of study from April 2017 to March 2019. The clinical symptoms of diseased as well as gross and histopathological changes of dead elephants were recorded for the diagnosis of the disease. Virus involved in the occurrence of the disease was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results:

In the present study, a total of three elephant calves out of 22 were found positive to EEHV1A. On the other hand, three adult asymptomatic elephants were also found positive for EEHV1 on screening 267 captive Asian elephants of Assam. The amplified PCR product showed band size of 520, 600, and 930 bp. The PCR amplified product with size 600 bp had shown the gene sequence for EEHV1U77/HEL. Gross lesions include congested blood vessels of the liver and intestinal mucosa, foci of petechiae in the spleen, and heart and focal ulceration in the dorsal surface of the tongue. Microscopically, the kidneys showed intertubular edema and focal areas of degeneration associated with coagulative necrosis of the tubular epithelium. The liver showed hydropic degeneration and fatty changes of the hepatocytes. There was a massive proliferation of fibroblasts in the interlobular spaces which penetrated the necrosed areas of the hepatic lobules.

Conclusion:

A total of three wild rescued elephant calves and three asymptomatic adults were found positive for EEHV1A during the 2 years of study. The PCR amplified product with size 600 bp had shown the gene sequence for EEHV1U77/HEL.

Effect of quantum confinement on lifetime of anharmonic decay of optical phonons in semiconductor nanostructures

The anharmonic decay of phonons underlies many important effects in semiconductors, e.g. hotspot formation, phonon bottleneck and thermal resistivity. In this article, we evaluate the effect of quantum confinement on the anharmonic decay transition probability in a cubic isotropic material. This article focuses on the anharmonic decay of longitudinal optical phonons, generated from hot electrons, are directly related to formation of hotspots in the active region of semiconductor devices. The confinement effect has been realized in double interface heterostructure quantum well (DHSQW) (e.g. AlAs/GaAs/AlAs) and free-standing quantum well (FSQW) (e.g. GaAs) structures as the confined phonon modes have different properties inside the structures. The longitudinal-optical phonon decay rate is reduced for the case of a DHSQW compared to bulk material and for a FSQW the decay rate has a strong dependence on wavevector value of the three phonons involved.

The Interplay between Stigma, Collective Efficacy, and Advocacy Communication among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Females

Stigma and discrimination are primary drivers of health disparities among marginalized communities. Drawing on stigma management, minority stress model, and social cognitive theories, this article tests the interplay between dimensions of stigma, collective efficacy, and advocacy communication among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender females. Using data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in south India (N = 225), five distinct dimensions of stigma were identified using factor analysis: experienced stigma, self-stigma, felt normative stigma, and two new dimensions-HIV-related vicarious stigma and media stigma. Respondents reported highest levels of media stigma. While most of the dimensions of stigma were negatively associated with both collective efficacy and advocacy communication, collective efficacy mediated the relationship between stigma and advocacy. Implications for public health campaigns among MSM groups are discussed.

The women's heart health programme: a pilot trial of sex-specific cardiovascular management

Background

There is increasing knowledge of sex-specific differences in cardiovascular disease and recognition of sex disparities in management. In our study, we investigated whether a cardiovascular programme tailored to the specific needs of women could lead to improved outcomes.

Methods

We randomised 100 female patients to receive cardiology follow-up with the conventional sex-neutral cardiac programme (control), or the sex-tailored Women’s Heart Health Programme (intervention). The intervention group was managed by an all-women multidisciplinary team and received culture-centred health intervention workshops, designed through in-depth interviews with the participants. The primary outcome was cardiovascular risk factor improvement at 1 year. Secondary outcomes include cardiovascular event rates, quality of life scores, and self-reported improvement in knowledge, attitudes, intentions and practices. Generalised structural equation model analysis was used to determine if the intervention group had better outcomes at alpha level 0.1.

Results

The mean age was 67.3 ± 12.7 years, with an ethnic distribution of 70% Chinese, 18% Malays, and 12% Indians. The majority of these patients had no formal or primary level of education (63%), and were mostly unemployed (78%). Patients in intervention group had better control of diabetes mellitus (lower HbA1c of 0.63% [CI 0.21-1.04], p = 0.015) and lower body-mass-index (0.74 kg/m² [CI 0.02-1.46], p = 0.092) at 1 year, but there was no significant difference in blood pressure or lipid control. Overall, there was a trend towards better risk factor control, 31.6% of intervention group versus 26.5% of control group achieved improvement in at least 1 CV risk factor control to target range. There was no significant difference in incidence of cardiovascular events, quality of life, or domains in knowledge, attitudes, intention and practices.

Conclusion

This pilot study is the first of its kind evaluating a new model of care for women with heart disease. The potential to improve outcomes needs to be studied in a larger trial with longer follow up.

Trial registration

This trial was prospectively registered clinicaltrials.gov on 6 May 2013. Trial Number: 2013/00088. Identifier: NCT02017470

Narratives of Stress in Health Meanings of African Americans in Lake County, Indiana

Across the life course, African Americans bear an unequal burden of disease compared to other racial groups. In spite of the widespread acknowledgment of racial health disparities, the voices of African Americans, their articulations of health and their local etiologies of health disparities are limited. In this article, we highlight the important role of communication scholarship to understand the everyday enactment of health disparities. Drawing upon the culture-centered approach (CCA) to co-construct narratives of health with African Americans residents of Lake County, Indiana, we explore the presence of stress in the everyday narratives of health. These narratives voice the social and structural sources of stress, and articulate resistive coping strategies embedded in relationship to structures.

Lower Genital Tract Trauma in A Tertiary Care Centre in Mid-Western Nepal

INTRODUCTION

The study of lower genital tract trauma has become important in gynaecological practice. There is paucity of reports on this clinical entity from our settings. The main aim of this study is to document injuries in female lower genital tract in Mid-Western Nepal.

METHODS

Sixty female patients admitted to the hospital with genital tract injuries caused by coitus or accidents were included in the study. Details of the causes of trauma clinical presentations and management were recorded.

RESULTS

These injuries were grouped according to etiological factors. This study included 33 (55%) coital injuries and 27 (45%) non- coital injuries. Out of coital injury, 12 cases were criminal assault (rape) in age group of 4 to 18 years. Four unmarried girls had consensual sex. Non-coital injuries were due to fall from height, cattle horn injuries, straddle type of trauma, vulvar haematoma and anorectal injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate surgical intervention can avert morbidity and mortality.

Evaluation of 19,460 Wheat Accessions Conserved in the Indian National Genebank to Identify New Sources of Resistance to Rust and Spot Blotch Diseases

A comprehensive germplasm evaluation study of wheat accessions conserved in the Indian National Genebank was conducted to identify sources of rust and spot blotch resistance. Genebank accessions comprising three species of wheat-Triticum aestivum, T. durum and T. dicoccum were screened sequentially at multiple disease hotspots, during the 2011-14 crop seasons, carrying only resistant accessions to the next step of evaluation. Wheat accessions which were found to be resistant in the field were then assayed for seedling resistance and profiled using molecular markers. In the primary evaluation, 19,460 accessions were screened at Wellington (Tamil Nadu), a hotspot for wheat rusts. We identified 4925 accessions to be resistant and these were further evaluated at Gurdaspur (Punjab), a hotspot for stripe rust and at Cooch Behar (West Bengal), a hotspot for spot blotch. The second round evaluation identified 498 accessions potentially resistant to multiple rusts and 868 accessions potentially resistant to spot blotch. Evaluation of rust resistant accessions for seedling resistance against seven virulent pathotypes of three rusts under artificial epiphytotic conditions identified 137 accessions potentially resistant to multiple rusts. Molecular analysis to identify different combinations of genetic loci imparting resistance to leaf rust, stem rust, stripe rust and spot blotch using linked molecular markers, identified 45 wheat accessions containing known resistance genes against all three rusts as well as a QTL for spot blotch resistance. The resistant germplasm accessions, particularly against stripe rust, identified in this study can be excellent potential candidates to be employed for breeding resistance into the background of high yielding wheat cultivars through conventional or molecular breeding approaches, and are expected to contribute toward food security at national and global levels.

Variable Presentations of Sinonasal Polypoid Masses: A Tertiary Institution Experience

Background Lesions of the sinonasal area are varied, but they mostly present as polypoid masses which require meticulous work-up to reach at the most probable diagnosis. Objective Analysis of polypoid sinonasal masses in terms of etiology, clinical presentations, brief demographic profile, clinico-histologic correlate where possible, and follow-up results. Method In this descriptive, longitudinal study, 198 patients with polypoid sinonasal masses attending the otolaryngology clinic of a tertiary teaching institute were selected using proper selection criteria and analyzed through a pre-set proforma and algorithm for a diagnostic work-up (that included histopathology where necessary). Result Common presentations were nasal obstruction (~89%), discharge (~70%) and hyposmia (~22%). Though nearly 87% was clinically benign and 8% indeterminate, therapeutic and diagnostic interventions (including histopathology) showed 91% truly benign, of which polyposis formed the bulk. Sensitivity of clinical detection was 75% for benign lesions and 62% for malignancies. Diagnosis depended on histopathology in 52.52% cases, including the clinically malignant, the "grey zone", and more than 40% of the clinically benign lesions. There was male predilection (2.16 for benign lesions and 1.57 for malignant), rural preponderance, and above 60% of the patients were within 50-70 years. There was ~26% recurrence in the follow-up period of a minimum of one year, predominantly in polyposis (29.55%) and malignancies (~39%). Conclusion Presentations of polypoid sinonasal masses are variable, etiology of which is mostly benign. Proper clinico-histologic correlate is necessary for correct diagnosis. A low threshold of suspicion is required because of this variability, necessitating follow-up for further evaluation.

NMR-based metabonomics for understanding the influence of dormant female genital tuberculosis on metabolism of the human endometrium

STUDY QUESTION

Does investigation of metabolic perturbations in endometrial tissue of women with dormant genital tuberculosis (GTB) during the window of implantation (WOI) assist in improving the understanding of endometrial receptivity?

SUMMARY ANSWER

In dormant GTB cases significant alterations in endometrial tissue metabolites occur, largely related to energy metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis in dormant GTB cases.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

As an intracellular pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis strongly influences the metabolism of host cells causing metabolic dysregulation. It is also accepted that dormant GTB impairs the receptive status of the endometrium. Global metabolic profiling is useful for an understanding of disease progression and distinguishing between diseased and non-diseased groups.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Endometrial tissue samples were collected from patients reporting at the tertiary infertility care center during the period September 2011-March 2013. Women having tested positive for GTB were considered as the study group (n = 24). Normal healthy women undergoing sterilization (n = 26) and unexplained infertile women with repeated IVF failure (n = 21) volunteered to participate as controls.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Endometrial tissue samples were collected 6-10 days after confirmation of ovulation. PCR and BACTEC-460 culture were used for diagnosing GTB. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra of tissue were recorded using a 700 MHz Bruker Avance AV III spectrometer. Following phase and baseline correction of all NMR spectra by Bruker Topspin 2.1 software, spectral peak alignment of the data was performed. Multivariate analysis was applied to all spectra and individual metabolites identified and multiple correlation analysis was performed.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Leucine, isoleucine, acetate, lactate, glutamate, glutamine, methionine, lysine, creatine, glycogen, glycine, proline and choline were found to be significantly increased (P < 0.05) in endometrial tissue of women with dormant GTB compared with unexplained infertile women with repeated implantation failure. Valine, citrate, succinate and aspartate were also observed to be significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a significant decrease in glucose (P < 0.05), threonine (P < 0.05), tyrosine (P < 0.01) and phenylalanine (P < 0.0001) was observed in women with dormant GTB. Pearson's correlation analysis between the expression of various endometrial receptivity markers and metabolites showed a significant negative correlation (-0.236 to -0.545, P < 0.05). Also, the metabolites were positively correlated with endometrial receptivity markers (0.207 to 0.618, P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

It is often difficult to diagnose dormant GTB because it tends to exist without any clinical signs or symptoms. In addition, the diagnosis of GTB by culture remains a challenge due to low detection rates and its paucibacillary nature. Testing for prostate-specific antigen or the Y chromosome in order to account for the possible influences of recent exposure to semen on endometrial metabolism would be important.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The metabolic changes associated with the dormant tubercle infection are of potential relevance to clinicians for the treatment of dormant GTB-related infertility.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research. There are no conflicts of interest.

Listening to Chinese Immigrant Restaurant Workers in the Midwest: Application of the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA) to Explore Perceptions of Health and Health Care

This study engages with the culture-centered approach (CCA) to explore Chinese immigrant restaurant workers' perception of the U.S. health care system and their interactions with the health care system in interpreting meanings of health. Chinese restaurant workers are marginalized because of their struggles on the job, their immigrant identity, and their negotiations with the structural contexts of occupation, migration status, and culture. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 Chinese immigrant restaurant workers that lasted an average of 1.5 hours each, and were audiotaped. Interviews with participants highlighted critical issues in access to health care and the struggles experienced by restaurant workers in securing access to health, understood in the context of work. Critical to the workers' discourse is the acknowledgment of structural constraints such as lack of insurance coverage, immigration status, and lack of understanding of how the U.S. health care system works.

Detection, discrimination and discovery of a new Tobacco streak virus strain

Soybean plants that exhibited symptoms of virus infection were sampled from different counties of Oklahoma. These plants were tested serologically for 15 viruses known to infect soybean plants. Fifty-seven samples that exhibited typical virus-like symptoms did not test positive for any of the 15 viruses used in a dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA). Four samples were pooled and used for next generation sequencing using the 454-Roche protocol. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained revealed infection with a distinct strain of Tobacco streak virus (TSV). TSV was one of the 15 viruses initially tested for using DIBA and had tested negative. TSV belongs to the genus Ilarvirus and has been reported as a causal agent of bud blight in soybean crops in Brazil and the United States. Out of 10 reported primer pairs for TSV reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), only two had the potential, based on sequence similarity, to amplify part of the genome of the distinct strain of TSV found in Oklahoma and only one was actually able to amplify the region. In this study, a new primer pair, specific to all known TSV and capable of amplifying the Oklahoma strain (TSV-OK), was designed from a highly conserved region of coat protein (CP) sequences and end-point PCR and quantitative RT-PCR detection methods were developed and their sensitivity assayed. This is the first report of specific primers designed from this highly conserved region in the CP of TSV for detection of TSV. Twenty-three of the 57 DIBA soybean samples that initially tested negative were retested with the new specific end-point PCR method and found positive for TSV infection.

Primary soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma of the maxillary sinus in elderly patients: presentation, management and prognosis

Nonosseous or soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma is a rare form of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumour that seldom affects the head and neck region. Involvement of the nose and paranasal sinuses is extremely uncommon, with only eight of such patients being reported to date, mostly affecting adolescents and young adults. To our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive report of primary soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma involving the paranasal sinuses in an elderly patient who successfully completed treatment. We herein discuss the pathogenesis, management and factors affecting the prognosis of this rare group of tumours involving the nose and paranasal sinuses, in relation to the available literature.

Prevalence of depression among elderly people living in old age home in the capital city Kathmandu

Background: There has been a considerable increase in the numbers of older people in the world population of both developed and developing countries. These populations are thought to be at greater risk for depression. Many researches are conducted on physical wellbeing of elderly but studies regarding depression among elderly, especially in old age home is lesser in the developing countries. Objectives: To assess depression among elderly residing in an old age home in Kathmandu and its association with some of the socio-demographic variables. Methods: One hundred fifty elderly people residing in social welfare centre elderly home, Pashupatinath, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal were selected randomly. Geriatric depression scale (GDS) was applied in all the individuals to assess the prevalence and degree of depression. Results: This study showed that, 47.33% of population had depression. Among the depressed population, 70.42% had mild depression and 29.58% had severe depression. There was significant association between the prevalence of depression and history of physical illness. Conclusion: Depressive disorder is highly prevalent among the elderly population residing in the old age home in Kathmandu with history of physical illness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i3.9634 Health Renaissance 2013;11(3):213-218

Molecular Evidence for Occurrence of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus in Ash Gourd (Benincasa hispida) Germplasm Showing a Severe Yellow Stunt Disease in India

An evaluation of 70 accessions of ash gourd germplasm grown at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India during Kharif season (2010) showed natural occurrence of a yellow stunt disease in three accessions (IC554690, IC036330 and Pusa Ujjwal). A set of begomovirus specific primers used in PCR gave expected amplicon from all the symptomatic plants; however no betasatellite was detected. Complete genome of the begomovirus (DNA-A and DNA-B), amplified through rolling circle amplification, was cloned and sequenced. The begomovirus under study shared high sequence identities to different isolates of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) and clustered with them. Among those isolates, the DNA-A and DNA-B of the present begomovirus isolate showed highest 99.6 and 96.8 % sequence identities, respectively with an isolate reported on pumpkin from India (DNA-A: AM286433, DNA-B: AM286435). Based on the sequence analysis, the begomovirus obtained from ash gourd was considered as an isolate of ToLCNDV. Thus, the present findings constitute the first report of occurrence of a new yellow stunt disease in ash gourd from India and demonstrated the association of ToLCNDV with the symptomatic samples. Occurrence of ToLCNDV in ash gourd germplasm not only adds up a new cucurbitaceous host of this virus but also raises the concern about the perpetuation of this virus in absence of its main host tomato and thus has an epidemiological relevance for understanding the rapid spread of this virus in tomato and other hosts in Indian sub-continent.

Culture-centered engagement with delivery of health services: co-constructing meanings of health in the Tzu Chi Foundation through Buddhist philosophy

The shift in health communication scholarship from the narrow focus on curing to the complexly intertwined spaces of health, illness, healing, and curing attends to the dynamic cultural contexts within which meanings and practices are negotiated, directing scholarship toward alternative spaces of health care delivery. This study utilized the culture-centered approach as a theoretical lens for providing a discursive space for understanding meanings of health constituted in the practices of the Tzu Chi Foundation, an organization that offers biomedical services within the larger philosophical understandings of Buddhism with 10 million members in over 50 different countries. The emerging perspective promotes non-biomedical meanings of health through selfless giving and assistance founded in Buddhist principles, simultaneously seeking purity of the mind, body, and soul holistically. Through the negotiation of the principles driving Buddhist philosophy and the principles that shape biomedical health care delivery, this study seeks to understand the interpretive frames that circulate among foundation staff and care recipients.

Strategy for allergenicity assessment of 'natural novel foods': clinical and molecular investigation of exotic vegetables (water spinach, hyacinth bean and Ethiopian eggplant)

BACKGROUND

Foods not commonly consumed in the European Union must be proven safe before being brought to market, including an assessment of allergenicity. We present a three-stepwise strategy for allergenicity assessment of natural novel foods using three novel vegetables, namely, water spinach, hyacinth bean, Ethiopian eggplant.

METHODS

First, vegetable extracts were analyzed for the presence of pan-allergens [Bet v 1 homologous proteins, profilins, nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (LTP)] by immunoblot analysis with specific animal antibodies. Secondly, the IgE-binding of the food extracts was investigated by EAST (Enzyme-allergosorbent test) and immunoblot analysis using sera with IgE-reactivity to known pan-allergens or to phylogenetically related foods from subjects (i) allergic to birch, grass and mugwort pollen, (ii) with food allergy to soy, peanut, tomato, multiple pollen-related foods and (iii) sensitized to LTP. Thirdly, the clinical relevance of IgE-binding was assessed in vivo by skin prick testing (SPT) and open oral food challenges (OFC).

RESULTS

Profilin and LTP were detected by animal antibodies in all vegetables, a Bet v 1 homologue selectively in hyacinth bean. IgE-binding to LTP, profilin and a Bet v 1 homologue was proven by immunoblot analysis and EAST. Positive SPT and OFC results were observed for all vegetables in pollen-allergic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our stepwise procedure confirmed the presence and IgE-binding capacity of novel vegetable proteins homologous to known allergens in endemic vegetable foods. In vivo testing proved the potential of the novel vegetables to elicit clinical allergy. Hence, our described algorithm seems to be applicable for allergenicity testing of natural novel foods.

The RD1-encoded antigen Rv3872 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a potential candidate for serodiagnosis of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) infections in India account for one-third of the global burden, making it important to develop speedy, cost-effective diagnostic tools. This study evaluated recombinant RD1-encoded antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as tools for serodiagnosis by determining the immunological reactivity of these proteins against sera from healthy, bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated and TB-infected individuals from Kolkata. Rv3872, Rv3875 (ESAT-6) and Rv3878 were able to discriminate healthy BCG-vaccinated controls from TB patients. Rv3872 showed the highest level of antibody response in comparison with other antigens, and also showed statistically significant differences between pulmonary (p <0.0001) or extra-pulmonary (p <0.001) TB patients and healthy BCG-vaccinated individuals. The levels of antibody were measured using 20-mer overlapping peptides spanning the entire Rv3872 sequence. The immunological reactivity against a mixture of two peptides (P8 and P9) encompassing amino-acids 57-84 correlated well with that obtained using full-length Rv3872. This result was explained by the fact that two of the predicted regions of high antigenicity lie within amino-acid residues 57-85 of Rv3872. The high sensitivity and specificity of Rv3872, as well as the mixture of two synthetic overlapping peptides derived from Rv3872, highlight their potential and argue in favour of their use in serodiagnosis of both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB.

Adsorptive Separation of β-Lactam Antibiotics: Technological Perspectives

An overview on adsorptive separation of cephalosporin antibiotics has been presented. The fundamental aspects on adsorption mechanism, kinetic and column dynamics have been exhaustedly discussed. The importance of molecular modelling studies on deducing implications for design of adsorbents has been highlighted. Finally, some aspects of process design and scale-up of adsorption column have been addressed and research needs of pragmatic importance have been identified.

Tunable optical properties of colloidal quantum dots in electrolytic environments

The absorption spectra of colloidal cadmium sulfide quantum dots in electrolytic solutions are found to manifest a shift in the absorption threshold as the concentration of the electrolyte is varied. These results are consistent with a shift in the absorption threshold that would be caused by electrolytic screening of the field caused by the intrinsic spontaneous polarisation of these würtzite structured quantum dots. These electrolyte-dependent absorption properties provide a potential means of gaining insights on the variable extracellular and intracellular electrolytic concentrations that are present in biological systems.

[Psychosomatic research in primary health care--ideal concept and reality]

The cooperation between research institutions and primary care doctors can be seen as a possible model for practical research in psychosomatic medicine. Cooperation experience with a study in the field of sexual medicine are reported as well as recommendations regarding the planning and implementation of similar studies are given. 7455 Swiss physicians specialized in psychiatry, internal or general medicine were asked to fill out a survey on "sexual dysfunction and anti-depressants". They were also asked if they were willing to interview their patients on the same issue. 1100 physicians agreed to answer the doctors survey and 62 were interested in interviewing their patients. However, only 12 physicians actually did. In 55 telephone interviews doctors mentioned as their main reasons for not participating: lack of time and their hesitation to discuss sexual issues with depressive patients.

CONCLUSION

The collaboration in research projects means a considerable effort on the side of primary care doctors. Therefore, their cooperation should be rewarded appropriately, e.g. time could be counted as further training.

Lack of abundance of cytoplasmic cyclosporin A-binding protein renders free-living Leishmania donovani resistant to cyclosporin A

The majority of the effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) on cells is caused by the inhibition of phosphatase activity of calcineurin (CN) by the cyclophilin A (CyPA)-CsA complex formed in the cytoplasm. Although CsA inhibits the proliferation of a large number of parasites, not all are susceptible. The presence of structurally altered CyPA with lower affinity for CsA had been suggested to be the cause of resistance. We report here the identification and cloning of a high affinity CsA-binding protein (LdCyP) from Leishmania donovani, a trypanosomatid parasite that is naturally resistant to CsA. The translated LdCyP consists of 187 amino acids with a cleavable 21-amino acid hydrophobic NH(2)-terminal extension. Modeling studies confirmed that all the residues of human CyPs responsible for interaction with CsA are sequentially and conformationally conserved in LdCyP. The purified recombinant protein displayed biochemical parameters comparable to human CyPs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that LdCyP was abundantly expressed. Immunoblot experiments and direct CsA binding studies revealed that LdCyP located in the subcellular organelles constituted the bulk of the CsA binding activity present in L. donovani, whereas the level of binding activity in the cytosol was conspicuously low. CsA selectively facilitated the secretion of LdCyP in the culture medium. Based on these results, it is concluded that the insensitivity of L. donovani to CsA is probably due to the paucity of CsA binding activity in the cytoplasm of the parasite. We suggest that LdCyP, located in the secretory pathway, may function as a chaperone by binding to membrane proteins rather than as the mediator of CN inhibition.

Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) based delivery systems for vaccines and drugs

Current vaccination and drug delivery strategies emphasize on the development of controlled release techniques for persistent and sustained effects. In the recent years, polymer based systems for the delivery of bioactive agents have gained considerable attention due to their marked adjuvanticity, established biodegradability and biocompatibility, excellent mechanical strength and controlled release profiles. This review deals with the potential applications of synthetic polymers mainly PLG polymers in delivery of vaccines and drugs.

Low prevalence of psychoses among the Hutterites, an isolated religious community

OBJECTIVE

The authors estimated the prevalence of psychoses among the Hutterites in Manitoba, Canada, who lived in 102 communal farms or colonies. The study stemmed from an earlier epidemiological survey of North American Hutterite colonies (1950-1953), in which a low prevalence of psychoses was documented.

METHOD

Psychiatrically ill individuals identified during the previous survey were rediagnosed with DSM-IV criteria. A current provincial health insurance claims database was queried anonymously for the period June 1992-May 1997, and the prevalence rate of disease among Hutterites, identified by distinctive surnames and unique postal addresses, was compared with the rate in the entire population of the province of Manitoba and in a comparison group of persons with Hutterite surnames but with addresses outside the Hutterite colonies.

RESULTS

The annual prevalence of schizophrenia among the communal Hutterites, estimated from the database search by using ICD-9 criteria, was consistent with the prevalence found in the prior epidemiological survey (annual mean of 1.2/1,000 population, compared with 1.3/1,000 in the prior survey). The database search yielded a significantly lower prevalence for schizophrenia and other functional psychoses among communal Hutterites as well as among the comparison group, compared to the total Manitoba population. There was also lower prevalence for affective psychoses and adjustment reaction disorders among the communal Hutterites, compared to the total Manitoba population. Rates for neurotic disorders were elevated both among the communal Hutterites and the comparison group.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of specific psychoses was reduced among the Hutterites, although neurotic disorders were more prevalent. These findings suggest some specificity, although possible artifacts such as ascertainment bias must be considered. Further research is needed to examine genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to reduced prevalence of specific psychoses among the Hutterites.

The 80s loop of the catalytic chain of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase is critical for catalysis and homotropic cooperativity

The X-ray structure of the Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase with the bisubstrate analog phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA) bound shows that PALA interacts with Lys84 from an adjacent catalytic chain. To probe the function of Lys84, site-specific mutagenesis was used to convert Lys84 to alanine, threonine, and asparagine. The K84N and K84T enzymes exhibited 0.08 and 0.29% of the activity of the wild-type enzyme, respectively. However, the K84A enzyme retained 12% of the activity of the wild-type enzyme. For each of these enzymes, the affinity for aspartate was reduced 5- to 10-fold, and the affinity for carbamoyl phosphate was reduced 10- to 30-fold. The enzymes K84N and K84T exhibited no appreciable cooperativity, whereas the K84A enzyme exhibited a Hill coefficient of 1.8. The residual cooperativity and enhanced activity of the K84A enzyme suggest that in this enzyme another mechanism functions to restore catalytic activity. Modeling studies as well as molecular dynamics simulations suggest that in the case of only the K84A enzyme, the lysine residue at position 83 can reorient into the active site and complement for the loss of Lys84. This hypothesis was tested by the creation and analysis of the K83A enzyme and a double mutant enzyme (DM) that has both Lys83 and Lys84 replaced by alanine. The DM enzyme has no cooperativity and exhibited 0.18% of wild-type activity, while the K83A enzyme exhibited 61% of wild-type activity. These data suggest that Lys84 is not only catalytically important, but is also essential for binding both substrates and creation of the high-activity, high-affinity active site. Since low-angle X-ray scattering demonstrated that the mutant enzymes can be converted to the R-structural state, the loss of cooperativity must be related to the inability of these mutant enzymes to form the high-activity, high-affinity active site characteristic of the R-functional state of the enzyme.

The influence of the regulatory chain amino acids Glu-62 and IIe-12 on the heterotropic properties of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase

In the structure of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase with CTP bound [Kosman, R. P., Gouaux, J. E., and Lipscomb, W. N. (1993) Proteins, Struct. Funct. Genet. 15, 147-177] Lys-6 and Glu-62 form a salt-link between two regulatory chains. However, recent X-ray structural studies suggest that side chain and backbone interactions existed between Glu-62 and Ile-12. Thus the interaction between Glu-62 and Ile-12 may help to establish the correct conformation of the nucleotide binding site. The present study of two single-site mutant enzymes, Glu-62r-->Ala and Ile-12r-->Ala, was undertaken to investigate whether the role of Glu-62 is to maintain the stability of the interface between the regulatory chains in the dimer, or interacts with the side chain of Ile-12r to define the nucleotide binding site. For both the mutant enzymes, the maximal velocity, the aspartate saturation at half the maximal velocity, and Hill coefficient were close to wild-type values. The Glu-62r-->Ala enzyme showed enhanced regulatory effects with ATP, CTP, and UTP. As a result of this mutation the enzyme losses its ability to discriminate between CTP and UTP. For the Ile-12r-->Ala enzyme, the heterotropic properties were reduced or eliminated. The enhanced regulatory effects observed with the Glu-62r-->Ala enzyme do not seem to be consistent with the presence of a salt-link between Glu-62r and Lys-6r. However, based upon kinetic data of the unique but completely opposite heterotropic properties of the two mutant enzymes, it is suggested that the side chain interaction between Glu-62r and Ile-12r helps to define the conformation of the effector binding pocket. In this study, we report the properties of both the Glu-62r-->Ala and Ile-12r-->Ala enzymes and their importance for the heterotropic activation and inhibition of aspartate transcarbamoylase.