Thermal, dielectric, mechanical and structural behavior of 2-amino 4-methylpyridinium 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol bulk single crystal

Applications in both science and industry have received increased attention as a result of bulk single crystals with particular orientations. However, due to the instability of organic crystals at high temperatures and stress, there is an interest in growing good-quality bulk single crystals with stable thermal and mechanical properties. Here, the 2-amino 4-methylpyridinium 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol (2A4MPPP) crystal was prepared employing a single-wall ampoule and the vertical Bridgman technique. Structure and functional groups were determined by XRD, NMR, and FTIR studies. More importantly, detailed thermal and kinetic properties such as activation energy, frequency factor, rate constant, and Avrami exponent are discussed. The mechanical stability and dielectric studies are also demonstrated for the title compound. According to the single crystal XRD investigation, 2A4MPPP is a member of the orthorhombic crystal system with the Pna21 space group. Through the TGA and DTA analyses, it was confirmed that the compound starts to melt at 98 °C and complete melting occurs at 103.3 °C. The dielectric experiments reveal the crystal's poor dielectric constant and high-frequency dielectric loss. Vickers microhardness investigations show that grown 2A4MPPP belongs to the soft materials group. As a result of these findings, the 2A4MPPP crystal should be well suited for usage in thermomechanical, microelectronic, optical communications, and nonlinear optical applications.

Effect of alternate nostril breathing exercises on cardiorespiratory function- a systematic review

Introduction- Alternate nostril breathing has positively affected the cardio-respiratory system. This review aimed to compile information on the effects of alternate nostril breathing on cardiorespiratory function. Method– Databases such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to review current evidence of randomized control trials (RCT) on alternate nostril breathing over the past two decades. Out of 89 articles, six were chosen for the final data extraction based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results- All of the final included studies demonstrated a significant improvement in respiratory endurance and functioning and a high heart rate variability (HRV) that mostly has a parasympathetic effect. Conclusion- Alternate nostril breathing shows promising results in reducing stress, improving cardiovascular and respiratory function, and reducing complications of pulmonary problems in the future.

Spatial-temporal lipidomics profile of acute myocardial injury

Background

Lipidome disturbance has long been recognized to occur after myocardial infarction (MI). Accumulation of excessive fatty acids induces production of reactive oxygen species and consequently deteriorates cardiac injury in MI. However, the spatial and temporal lipid profile in the heart following ischemic injury remains unknown.

Purpose

We aim to uncover the temporal-spatial lipidome profile of the heart following ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury and identify circulating lipids released from injured myocardium that are potentially useful for diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

Methods

C57/BL6 mice were subjected to 30 min myocardial ischemia followed by removal of the ligature to establish reperfusion injury. Porcine I/R injury was induced by 105 min myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion. Human plasma was obtained from 143 post-MI patients. Myocardial lipid profiles were generated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) in different regions (infarct, remote and peri-infarct) at different time points. Moreover, the lipids in the heart and plasma were analysed by LC-MS/MS.

Results

We observed a drastic alteration in the lipidome with distinct spatial-temporal features in the injured heart by both MALDI-MSI and LC-MS/MS. In the infarct heart tissue, as revealed by LC-MS/MS, we observed an elevation of glycerolipids that peaked at 3 hours after I/R, and a sustained elevation of phospholipids and sphingolipids up to 3 days. Similar alternations in lipid profile was observed but much weaker in the remote and peri-infarct heart tissue compared to the infarct tissue. Among those lipids, PC 32:0 detected by MALDI-MSI highly overlapped CD68 staining at a single-cell level, showing a strong correlation of PC 32:0 with macrophage infiltration in mouse hearts (R2=0.93, p<0.0001). A similar increase of PC 32:0 in the infarct area was also observed in porcine hearts following I/R injury. Surprisingly, plasma levels of PC 32:0 in the mice decreased after I/R injury. In humans, plasma levels of PC 32:0 in post-MI patients were lower than that in healthy individuals (p=0.03). Further analysis demonstrated that plasma levels of PC 32:0 determined within 72 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention were negatively correlated with the 6-month post-MI cardiac ejection fraction in patients (R2=0.08, p<0.001).

Conclusions

A temporal-spatial lipidome profile was established in heart injury by synergizing LC-MS/MS and mass spectrometry imaging. PC 32:0 levels are positively correlated with myocardial macrophage infiltration but negatively correlated with cardiac function in cardiac I/R injury. Our findings indicate that PC 32:0 is a potential biomarker for cardiac injury and the inflammatory status in the injured heart.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is associated with MCPyV-negative status and impaired outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma

Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer, related to the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) in 80% of cases. Immune checkpoint inhibitors provide sustained benefit in about 50% of MCC patients with advanced disease. Glypican-3 (GPC3) is an oncofetal tumor antigen that is an attractive target for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy due to its highly restricted expression on normal tissue and high prevalence in several solid tumors. GPC3 is known to be expressed in MCC but its association with tumor characteristics or prognosis has not been reported. We investigated MCC GPC3 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and its association with tumor characteristics, MCPyV status, and patient outcome.

Methods: The GC33 antibody clone was validated for GPC3 IHC staining of tumor specimens in comparison to an established GPC3 IHC antibody. An MCC tissue microarray was stained for GPC3 by IHC using GC33 antibody. Association of GPC3+ IHC with baseline characteristics, MCPyV status (qPCR) and outcome (death from MCC/recurrence) were assessed.

Results: Forty-two of 62 samples (67.7%) were GPC3+. GPC3 expression was more frequently observed in females (p = 0.048) and MCPyV-negative tumors (p = 0.021). By multivariate analysis, GPC3 expression was associated with increased death from disease (CSS) (hazard ratio [HR] 4.05, 95% CI 1.06–15.43), together with advanced age (HR 4.85, 95% CI 1.39–16.9) and male gender (HR 4.64, 95% CI 1.31–16.41).

Conclusions: GPC3 expression is frequent in MCC tumors, especially MCPyV-negative cases, and is associated with increased risk of death. High prevalence of surface GPC3 makes it a putative drug target.

BOXR1030, an anti-GPC3 CAR with exogenous GOT2 expression, shows enhanced T cell metabolism and improved anti-cell line derived tumor xenograft activity

Purpose

The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) drives T cell dysfunction and inhibits the effectiveness of immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor-based T cell (CAR T) cells. Early data has shown that modulation of T cell metabolism can improve intratumoral T cell function in preclinical models.

Experimental design

We evaluated GPC3 expression in human normal and tumor tissue specimens. We developed and evaluated BOXR1030, a novel CAR T therapeutic co-expressing glypican-3 (GPC3)-targeted CAR and exogenous glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2 (GOT2) in terms of CAR T cell function both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Cell surface expression of tumor antigen GPC3 was observed by immunohistochemical staining in tumor biopsies from hepatocellular carcinoma, liposarcoma, squamous lung cancer, and Merkel cell carcinoma patients. Compared to control GPC3 CAR alone, BOXR1030 (GPC3-targeted CAR T cell that co-expressed GOT2) demonstrated superior in vivo efficacy in aggressive solid tumor xenograft models, and showed favorable attributes in vitro including an enhanced cytokine production profile, a less-differentiated T cell phenotype with lower expression of stress and exhaustion markers, an enhanced metabolic profile and increased proliferation in TME-like conditions.

Conclusions

Together, these results demonstrated that co-expression of GOT2 can substantially improve the overall antitumor activity of CAR T cells by inducing broad changes in cellular function and phenotype. These data show that BOXR1030 is an attractive approach to targeting select solid tumors. To this end, BOXR1030 will be explored in the clinic to assess safety, dose-finding, and preliminary efficacy (NCT05120271).

Blocking GM-CSF receptor α with mavrilimumab reduces infiltrating cells, pro-inflammatory markers and neoangiogenesis in ex vivo cultured arteries from patients with giant cell arteritis

Background

Effective and safe therapies are needed for the treatment of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Emerging as a key cytokine in inflammation, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) may play a role in promoting inflammation in GCA.

Objectives

To investigate expression of GM-CSF and its receptor in arterial lesions from patients with GCA. To analyse activation of GM-CSF receptor-associated signalling pathways and expression of target genes. To evaluate the effects of blocking GM-CSF receptor α with mavrilimumab in ex vivo cultured arteries from patients with GCA.

Methods

Quantitative real time PCR, in situ RNA hybridisation, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, immunoassay, western blot and ex vivo temporal artery culture.

Results

GM-CSF and GM-CSF receptor α mRNA and protein were increased in GCA lesions; enhanced JAK2/STAT5A expression/phosphorylation as well as increased expression of target genes CD83 and Spi1/PU.1 were observed. Treatment of ex vivo cultured GCA arteries with mavrilimumab resulted in decreased transcripts of CD3ε, CD20, CD14 and CD16 cell markers, and reduction of infiltrating CD16 and CD3ε cells was observed by immunofluorescence. Mavrilimumab reduced expression of molecules relevant to T cell activation (human leukocyte antigen-DR [HLA-DR]) and Th1 differentiation (interferon-γ), the pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and IL-1β, as well as molecules related to vascular injury (matrix metalloprotease 9, lipid peroxidation products and inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]). Mavrilimumab reduced CD34 + cells and neoangiogenesis in GCA lesions.

Conclusion

The inhibitory effects of mavrilimumab on multiple steps in the GCA pathogenesis cascade in vitro are consistent with the clinical observation of reduced GCA flares in a phase 2 trial and support its development as a therapeutic option for patients with GCA.

Scleredema adultorum of Buschke associated with hypothyroidism and liver cirrhosis

Scleredema adultorum of Buschke is a rare disorder of the connective tissue, involving the skin. Here, we present a 61-year-old male, who is a known case of compensated liver cirrhosis with a past history of being treated for autoimmune thyrotoxicosis, who presented with complaints of alopecia, skin tightening, dry skin, pruritus, and woody indurated plaques on the skin of the upper back, shoulder, and arms. Skin biopsy of the arm revealed the characteristic features of scleredema. He was extensively evaluated for known literature-cited causes of scleredema, and the work up revealed a negative result. He was also found to be hypothyroid on presentation. Hence, we present a case of scleredema occurring in a patient with hypothyroidism and chronic liver disease, which to our knowledge is being described for the first time in literature.

Correction to: Anti-CD40 antibody KPL-404 inhibits T cell-mediated activation of B cells from healthy donors and autoimmune patients

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Anti-CD40 antibody KPL-404 inhibits T cell-mediated activation of B cells from healthy donors and autoimmune patients

BACKGROUND

CD40-CD40L is a key co-stimulatory pathway for B cell activation. As such, its blockade can inhibit pathogenic B cell responses in autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we examined the in vitro effects of KPL-404, a humanized anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (Ab), on primary human B cells derived from either healthy donors (HD) or autoimmune patients and compared them to the effects of G28-5, a partially antagonistic anti-CD40 antibody.

METHODS

PBMCs from HD or SjS and SLE patients were cultured in high-density cell cultures in the presence of IgG4 isotype control or anti-CD40 Abs KPL-404 or G28-5. Cells were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 cross-linking reagent ImmunoCult (IC) to induce CD40L-CD40-mediated B cell responses. B cell proliferation and activation, measured by dilution of proliferation tracker dye and the upregulation of CD69 and CD86, respectively, were assessed by flow cytometry. Anti-CD40 Ab cell-internalization was examined by imaging flow cytometry. Cytokine release in the PBMC cultures was quantified by bead-based multiplex assay.

RESULTS

KPL-404 binds to CD40 expressed on different subsets of B cells without inducing cell depletion, or B cell proliferation and activation in in vitro culture. Under the same conditions, G28-5 promoted proliferation of and increased CD69 expression on otherwise unstimulated B cells. KPL-404 efficiently blocked the CD40L-CD40-mediated activation of B cells from HD at concentrations between 1 and 10 μg/ml. Treatment with KPL-404 alone did not promote cytokine production and blocked the production of IFNβ in healthy PBMC cultures. KPL-404 efficiently blocked CD40L-CD40-mediated activation of B cells from patients with SjS and SLE, without affecting their anti-IgM responses or affecting their cytokine production. Consistent with the differences of their effects on B cell responses, KPL-404 was not internalized by cells, whereas G28-5 showed partial internalization upon CD40 binding.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-CD40 mAb KPL-404 showed purely antagonistic effects on B cells and total PBMCs. KPL-404 inhibited CD40L-CD40-mediated B cell activation in PBMC cultures from both healthy controls and autoimmune patients. These data support the therapeutic potential of CD40 targeting by KPL-404 Ab for inhibiting B cell responses in SjS and SLE.

FRI0010 GM-CSFR PATHWAY IS IMPLICATED IN PATHOGENIC INFLAMMATORY MECHANISMS IN GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background:

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is characterized by inflammation of large and medium arteries. Classic symptoms include headaches, malaise and, in severe cases, blindness and aortic aneurysms. Corticosteroids (CS) are the first line of treatment. Relapsing disease patients undergo multiple courses of CS therapy increasing their CS exposure and toxicity. A significant unmet need for disease-modifying CS-sparing therapy remains in GCA as the efficacy of current treatment options, including tocilizumab have limitations.

We have previously reported elevated expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) pathway transcriptomic signature in GCA vessels. GM-CSF may contribute to underlying disease mechanisms by regulating inflammatory macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and T helper (TH1/TH17) cells which are involved in GCA pathogenesis. GM-CSF produced by T cells1can promote polarization of inflammatory macrophages2and recruitment and differentiation of monocytes into inflammatory DCs2that can in turn recruit T cells and stimulate TH1/TH17 differentiation creating a feedback loop. GM-CSF may also exert direct effects on angiogenesis3and vessel wall remodeling4.

Objectives:

To demonstrate the contributing role of GM-CSF pathway to inflammation in GCA arteries.

Methods:

Immunostaining was used to examine expression of GM-CSF and GM-CSF-Rα proteins in temporal artery biopsies (TABs) from GCA and controls (patients with suspected but not confirmed GCA and a negative TAB). Costaining with cell markers such as CD31, CD3, and CD68 allowed visualization of cells expressing GM-CSF and GM-CSF-Rα. Expression of GM-CSF pathway molecules such as phospho-JAK2 and PU.1 proteins was detected by immunohistochemical staining of GCA and control TABs.Ex vivocultured GCA arteries treated (10 each) with mavrilimumab (anti-GM-CSF-Rα) or placebo for 5 days were assayed for gene expression by qPCR, and culture supernatants were analyzed by ELISA.

Results:

Endothelial cells and macrophages were the main cell types expressing GM-CSF and GM-CSF-Rα. Increased expression of phospho-JAK2 (activated signaling molecule) and nuclear-localized PU.1 (transcription factor) in GCA TABs compared to controls indicated the presence of active GM-CSF signaling pathway in GCA.

Inhibition of PU.1 mRNA expression inex vivocultures of GCA arteries treated with mavrilimumab indicated blockade of GM-CSFR signaling pathway. Mavrilimumab induced decrease in mRNA expression of key cell type markers including DC and macrophage activation markers CD83 and HLA-DRA, monocyte markers CD14 and CD16, T cell marker CD3ε, and B cell marker CD20 in these GCA artery cultures. Expression of inflammatory TH1/TH17 factors IFNγ (mRNA), TNFα, CXCL10 (IFNγ-stimulated chemokine) and IL-6 (mRNA and protein) was also inhibited by mavrilimumab in GCA artery cultures.

Conclusion:

Increased GM-CSF, GM-CSF-Rα, and downstream pathway-associated protein levels in GCA biopsies were consistent with previously-observed increased transcriptome signature. Expression of genes associated with inflammatory cells was suppressed by mavrilimumab in cultured GCA arteries. These data implicate the GM-CSF pathway in GCA pathophysiology and increase confidence in rationale for targeting the GM-CSF pathway in GCA.

References:

[1]GM-CSF and T-cell responses: what we do and don’t know. Shiet al., Cell Res 2006

[2]GM-CSF-Dependent Inflammatory Pathways. Hamilton, Front Immunol 2019

[3]GM-CSF increases tumor growth and angiogenesis. Zhenget al., Tumour Biol 2017

[4]GM-CSF deficiency affects vascular elastin production and integrity of elastic lamellae. Weissen-Plenzet al., J Vasc Res 2008

Disclosure of Interests:

Maria C. Cid Grant/research support from: Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Consultant of: Janssen, Abbvie, Roche, GSK, Speakers bureau: Vifor, Sujatha Muralidharan Shareholder of: Kiniksa, Employee of: Kiniksa, Marc Corbera-Bellalta: None declared, Georgina Espigol-Frigole Consultant of: Roche and Janssen, Javier Marco Hernandez: None declared, Amanda Denuc: None declared, Roberto Rios-Garces: None declared, Nekane Terrades-Garcia: None declared, John F. Paolini Shareholder of: Kiniksa, Employee of: Kiniksa, Annalisa D’Andrea Shareholder of: Kiniksa, Employee of: Kiniksa

Six-year study on peripheral venous catheter-associated BSI rates in 262 ICUs in eight countries of South-East Asia: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium findings

BACKGROUND

Short-term peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection rates have not been systematically studied in Asian countries, and data on peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections incidence by number of short-term peripheral venous catheter days are not available.

METHODS

Prospective, surveillance study on peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections conducted from 1 September 2013 to 31 May 2019 in 262 intensive care units, members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, from 78 hospitals in 32 cities of 8 countries in the South-East Asia Region: China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. For this research, we applied definition and criteria of the CDC NHSN, methodology of the INICC, and software named INICC Surveillance Online System.

RESULTS

We followed 83,295 intensive care unit patients for 369,371 bed-days and 376,492 peripheral venous catheter-days. We identified 999 peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections, amounting to a rate of 2.65/1000 peripheral venous catheter-days. Mortality in patients with peripheral venous catheter but without peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections was 4.53% and 12.21% in patients with peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections. The mean length of stay in patients with peripheral venous catheter but without peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections was 4.40 days and 7.11 days in patients with peripheral venous catheter and peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections. The microorganism profile showed 67.1% were Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (22.9%), Klebsiella spp (10.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.3%), Enterobacter spp. (4.5%), and others (23.7%). The predominant Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (11.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Infection prevention programs must be implemented to reduce the incidence of peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections.

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 45 countries for 2012-2017: Device-associated module

BACKGROUND

We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2012 to December 2017 in 523 intensive care units (ICUs) in 45 countries from Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific.

METHODS

During the 6-year study period, prospective data from 532,483 ICU patients hospitalized in 242 hospitals, for an aggregate of 2,197,304 patient days, were collected through the INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI) were applied.

RESULTS

Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was higher (5.05 vs 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days); the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was also higher (14.1 vs 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days,), as well as the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.1 vs 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days). From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance, such as of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to piperacillin-tazobactam (33.0% vs 18.3%), were also higher.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a significant trend toward the reduction in INICC ICUs, DA-HAI rates are still much higher compared with CDC-NHSN's ICUs representing the developed world. It is INICC's main goal to provide basic and cost-effective resources, through the INICC Surveillance Online System to tackle the burden of DA-HAIs effectively.

Cross-country transport and isolation and identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae by use of alternate sources of blood supplemented media among laboratories in India

Background

The isolation of S. pneumoniae (Sp) depends on specimen integrity / transport, media and expertise. The non-availability of sheep blood agar poses a challenge in identification of colonial morphology and identification in India.

Methods

Laboratories processed swabs containing either pure Sp or Sp in mixed cultures with a second (confounding) bacterium shipped across the country in cold conditions. Duplicate set of swabs was shipped back to the central laboratory to assess the impact of shipping on culture viability. The identical swab was cultured on sheep, human blood and one additional agar plate used in the laboratory.

Results

46/60(77%) of cultures containing only Sp were correctly identified. In specimens where Sp was present in mixed culture, the proportion of isolates in which Sp was correctly identified varied, with most variability attributed to the particular confounding organism rather than the media. There was no discernible impact of temperature-controlled (4-6°C) transport on the isolation of Sp from culture swabs.

Conclusions

The study clearly elucidates the ability of laboratories for isolation of S. pneumoniae on human blood agar in resource limited settings. The results highlight the difficulties inherent in correctly identifying pathogens in mixed cultures in needs improvement using standardized tests across the study centers. The study also reaffirms the ability to transport biological specimens over long geographical distances without loss.

Follow-up and management of valvular heart disease patients with prosthetic valve: a clinical practice guideline for Indian scenario

PURPOSE

Valvular heart disease (VHD) patients after prosthetic valve implantation are at risk of thromboembolic events. Follow-up care of patients with prosthetic valve has a paramount role in reducing the morbidity and mortality. Currently, in India, there is quintessential need to stream line the follow-up care of prosthetic valve patients. This mandates the development of a consensus guideline for the antithrombotic therapy in VHD patients post prosthetic valve implantation.

METHODS

A national level panel was constituted comprising 13 leading cardio care experts in India who thoroughly reviewed the up to date literature, formulated the recommendations, and developed the consensus document. Later on, extensive discussions were held on this draft and the recommendations in 8 regional meetings involving 79 additional experts from the cardio care in India, to arrive at a consensus. The final consensus document is developed relying on the available evidence and/or majority consensus from all the meetings.

RESULTS

The panel recommended vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy with individualized target international normalized ratio (INR) in VHD patients after prosthetic valve implantation. The panel opined that management of prosthetic valve complications should be personalized on the basis of type of complications. In addition, the panel recommends to distinguish individuals with various co-morbidities and attend them appropriately.

CONCLUSIONS

Anticoagulant therapy with VKA seems to be an effective option post prosthetic valve implantation in VHD patients. However, the role for non-VKA oral therapy in prosthetic valve patients and the safety and efficacy of novel oral anticoagulants in patients with bioprosthetic valve need to be studied extensively.

Cutaneous Bacteriological Profile in Patients with Pemphigus

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease. The common cause of death in pemphigus is septicemia which is usually secondary to cutaneous bacterial infection.

AIM

The aim was to study the cutaneous bacteriological profile in patients with pemphigus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pus for culture and sensitivity was collected from clinically infected lesions of pemphigus patients in the Department of Dermatology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, from June 2013 to June 2014.

RESULTS

Of the 49 patients included in the study, 44 were suffering from pemphigus vulgaris, 4 from pemphigus foliaceus and one had pemphigus vegetans. There were 31 male and 18 female patients. The mean age of the group was 35.51 year. Mean Autoimmune Bullous Disorder Intensity Score was 17.36. About 32.7% were diabetic. About 40.81% showed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, 12.24% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 6.12% of Proteus mirabilis, 4.08% of β-hemolytic streptococci and nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli, and 2.04% of Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus species, and Klebsiella species. S. aureus showed 100% sensitivity to antibiotics - tetracycline, amikacin, chloramphenicol, and netilmicin; 90% resistance was found for penicillin and 55% resistance was found for ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was 30%. P. aeruginosa showed 100% sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, gentamicin, piperacillin, piperacillin + tazobactam, and netilmicin.

CONCLUSION

S. aureus was the most common organism showing sensitivity to tetracycline, amikacin, chloramphenicol, and netilmicin and resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin.

Human Binge Alcohol Intake Inhibits TLR4-MyD88 and TLR4-TRIF Responses but Not the TLR3-TRIF Pathway: HspA1A and PP1 Play Selective Regulatory Roles

Binge/moderate alcohol suppresses TLR4-MyD88 proinflammatory cytokines; however, alcohol's effects on TLR-TRIF signaling, especially after in vivo exposure in humans, are unclear. We performed a comparative analysis of the TLR4-MyD88, TLR4-TRIF, and TLR3-TRIF pathways in human monocytes following binge alcohol exposure. Mechanistic regulation of TLR-TRIF signaling by binge alcohol was evaluated by analyzing IRF3 and TBK1, upstream regulator protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and immunoregulatory stress proteins HspA1A and XBP-1 in alcohol-treated human and mouse monocytes/macrophages. Two approaches for alcohol exposure were used: in vivo exposure of primary monocytes in binge alcohol-consuming human volunteers or in vitro exposure of human monocytes/murine macrophages to physiological alcohol concentrations (25-50 mM ethanol), followed by LPS (TLR4) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (TLR3) stimulation ex vivo. In vivo and in vitro binge alcohol exposure significantly inhibited the TLR4-MyD88 cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, as well as the TLR4-TRIF cytokines/chemokines IFN-β, IP-10, and RANTES, in human monocytes, but not TLR3-TRIF-induced cytokines/chemokines, as detected by quantitative PCR and ELISA. Mechanistic analyses revealed TBK-1-independent inhibition of the TLR4-TRIF effector IRF3 in alcohol-treated macrophages. Although stress protein XBP-1, which is known to regulate IRF3-mediated IFN-β induction, was not affected by alcohol, HspA1A was induced by in vivo alcohol in human monocytes. Alcohol-induced HspA1A was required for inhibition of TLR4-MyD88 signaling but not TLR4-TRIF cytokines in macrophages. In contrast, inhibition of PP1 prevented alcohol-mediated TLR4-TRIF tolerance in macrophages. Collectively, our results demonstrate that in vivo and in vitro binge alcohol exposure in humans suppresses TLR4-MyD88 and TLR4-TRIF, but not TLR3-TRIF, responses. Whereas alcohol-mediated effects on the PP1-IRF3 axis inhibit the TLR4-TRIF pathway, HspA1A selectively suppresses the TLR4-MyD88 pathway in monocytes/macrophages.

Anticoagulation Management in Patients with Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Prosthetic valve implantation requires postoperative prophylactic anticoagulation to preclude thrombotic events. The aim of this review is to assess the role of anticoagulation therapy in the management of valve replacement patients.

METHODOLOGY

Literature from PubMed, Embase, Medline and Google Scholar were searched using the terms "valvular heart disease", "anticoagulant", "mechanical heart valve", "bioprosthesis", "bridging", "Vitamin K antagonist (VKA)", and "acenocoumarol". A committee comprising leading cardiothoracic surgeons from India was convened to review the literature and suggest key practice points.

RESULTS

Prosthetic valve implantation requires postoperative prophylactic anticoagulation to preclude thrombotic events. A paramount risk of thromboembolic events is observed during the first three months after surgery for both mechanical and bioprosthetic devices. The VKA therapy with individualized target international normalized ratio (INR) is recommended in patients after prosthetic valve replacement. Therapies for the management of prosthetic valve complications should be based on the type of complications. Special care is mandated in distinguished individuals and those with various co-morbidities.

CONCLUSION

In patients with prosthetic valve replacement, anticoagulant therapy with VKA seems to be an effective option. The role for non-VKA oral anticoagulants in the setting of prosthetic valve replacement has yet to be established. Furthermore, whether the novel oral anticoagulants are safe and efficacious in patients after placement of a bioprosthetic valve remains unanswered.

Clonal hematopoiesis associated with TET2 deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis development in mice

Human aging is associated with an increased frequency of somatic mutations in hematopoietic cells. Several of these recurrent mutations, including those in the gene encoding the epigenetic modifier enzyme TET2, promote expansion of the mutant blood cells. This clonal hematopoiesis correlates with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We studied the effects of the expansion of Tet2-mutant cells in atherosclerosis-prone, low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr^-/-) mice. We found that partial bone marrow reconstitution with TET2-deficient cells was sufficient for their clonal expansion and led to a marked increase in atherosclerotic plaque size. TET2-deficient macrophages exhibited an increase in NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated interleukin-1β secretion. An NLRP3 inhibitor showed greater atheroprotective activity in chimeric mice reconstituted with TET2-deficient cells than in nonchimeric mice. These results support the hypothesis that somatic TET2 mutations in blood cells play a causal role in atherosclerosis.

Correction: The biology of environmental stress: molecular biomarkers in Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata)

Correction for 'The biology of environmental stress: molecular biomarkers in Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata)' by D. A. Raftos et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2016, 18, 1129-1139.

The biology of environmental stress: molecular biomarkers in Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata)

This review describes our recent work on environmental stress in Sydney rock oysters, focusing on the identification of molecular biomarkers for ecotoxicological analysis. We begin by describing the environmental pressures facing coastal estuaries in Australia, with particular reference to Sydney Harbour. After providing that context, we summarise our transcriptional and proteomic analyses of Sydney rock oysters responding to chemical contamination and other forms of environmental stress. This work has shown that the intracellular processes of oysters are highly responsive to environmental threats. Our data agree with the broader literature, which suggests that there is a highly conserved intracellular stress response in oysters involving a limited number of biological processes. We conclude that many effective molecular markers for environmental biomonitoring are likely to lie within these biological pathways.

Oxygen evolution catalytic behaviour of Ni doped Mn3O4 in alkaline medium

In this study, the electrocatalytic behavior of Mn₃O₄ was enhanced by non-precious metal doping.

Corrigendum: Ionizing Particle Radiation as a Modulator of Endogenous Bone Marrow Cell Reprogramming: Implications for Hematological Cancers

[This corrects the article on p. 231 in vol. 5, PMID: 26528440.].

Ionizing Particle Radiation as a Modulator of Endogenous Bone Marrow Cell Reprogramming: Implications for Hematological Cancers

Exposure of individuals to ionizing radiation (IR), as in the case of astronauts exploring space or radiotherapy cancer patients, increases their risk of developing secondary cancers and other health-related problems. Bone marrow (BM), the site in the body where hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation to mature blood cells occurs, is extremely sensitive to low-dose IR, including irradiation by high-charge and high-energy particles. Low-dose IR induces DNA damage and persistent oxidative stress in the BM hematopoietic cells. Inefficient DNA repair processes in HSC and early hematopoietic progenitors can lead to an accumulation of mutations whereas long-lasting oxidative stress can impair hematopoiesis itself, thereby causing long-term damage to hematopoietic cells in the BM niche. We report here that low-dose ¹H- and ⁵⁶Fe-IR significantly decreased the hematopoietic early and late multipotent progenitor (E- and L-MPP, respectively) cell numbers in mouse BM over a period of up to 10 months after exposure. Both ¹H- and ⁵⁶Fe-IR increased the expression of pluripotent stem cell markers Sox2, Nanog, and Oct4 in L-MPPs and 10 months post-IR exposure. We postulate that low doses of ¹H- and ⁵⁶Fe-IR may induce endogenous cellular reprogramming of BM hematopoietic progenitor cells to assume a more primitive pluripotent phenotype and that IR-induced oxidative DNA damage may lead to mutations in these BM progenitors. This could then be propagated to successive cell lineages. Persistent impairment of BM progenitor cell populations can disrupt hematopoietic homeostasis and lead to hematologic disorders, and these findings warrant further mechanistic studies into the effects of low-dose IR on the functional capacity of BM-derived hematopoietic cells including their self-renewal and pluripotency.

Low-dose radiation affects cardiac physiology: gene networks and molecular signaling in cardiomyocytes

There are 160,000 cancer patients worldwide treated with particle radiotherapy (RT). With the advent of proton, and high (H) charge (Z) and energy (E) HZE ionizing particle RT, the cardiovascular diseases risk estimates are uncertain. In addition, future deep space exploratory-type missions will expose humans to unknown but low doses of particle irradiation (IR). We examined molecular responses using transcriptome profiling in left ventricular murine cardiomyocytes isolated from mice that were exposed to 90 cGy, 1 GeV proton ((1)H) and 15 cGy, 1 GeV/nucleon iron ((56)Fe) over 28 days after exposure. Unsupervised clustering analysis of gene expression segregated samples according to the IR response and time after exposure, with (56)Fe-IR showing the greatest level of gene modulation. (1)H-IR showed little differential transcript modulation. Network analysis categorized the major differentially expressed genes into cell cycle, oxidative responses, and transcriptional regulation functional groups. Transcriptional networks identified key nodes regulating expression. Validation of the signal transduction network by protein analysis and gel shift assay showed that particle IR clearly regulates a long-lived signaling mechanism for ERK1/2, p38 MAPK signaling and identified NFATc4, GATA4, STAT3, and NF-κB as regulators of the response at specific time points. These data suggest that the molecular responses and gene expression to (56)Fe-IR in cardiomyocytes are unique and long-lasting. Our study may have significant implications for the efforts of National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop heart disease risk estimates for astronauts and for patients receiving conventional and particle RT via identification of specific HZE-IR molecular markers.

Different mechanisms for Arabidopsis thaliana hybrid necrosis cases inferred from temperature responses

Temperature is a major determinant of plant growth, development and success. Understanding how plants respond to temperature is particularly relevant in a warming climate. Plant immune responses are often suppressed above species-specific critical temperatures. This is also true for intraspecific hybrids of Arabidopsis thaliana that express hybrid necrosis due to inappropriate activation of the immune system caused by epistatic interactions between alleles from different genomes. The relationship between temperature and defence is unclear, largely due to a lack of studies that assess immune activation over a wide range of temperatures. To test whether the temperature-based suppression of ectopic immune activation in hybrids exhibits a linear or non-linear relationship, we characterised the molecular and morphological phenotypes of two different necrotic A. thaliana hybrids over a range of ecologically relevant temperatures. We found both linear and non-linear responses for expression of immunity markers and for morphological defects depending on the underlying genetic cause. This suggests that the influence of temperature on the trade-off between immunity and growth depends on the specific defence components involved.

Crystal structure of bis[4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium] bis(2-nitrobenzoate) trihydrate

The title salt, 2C7H11N2+·2C7H4NO4−·3H2O, crystallized with two anions and two cations in the asymmetric unit, together with three water molecules. Both 4-dimethylaminopyridinium cations are protonated at their pyridine N atoms with the plane of the N(CH3)2hetero atoms inclined to the pyridine ring by 4.5 (2) and 1.4 (2)°. In the 2-nitrobenzoate anions, the carboxyl and nitro groups are inclined to their respective benzene rings by 77.1 (3) and 20.0 (3)°, and 75.8 (2) and 20.9 (3)°. In the crystal, the anions are linkedviaO—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules, forming chains along [100]. The cations are linked to these chains by N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The chains are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π and π–π interactions [inter-centroid distances range from 3.617 (1) to 3.851 (1) Å], forming a three-dimensional structure.

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 43 countries for 2007-2012. Device-associated module

We report the results of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2007-December 2012 in 503 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) U.S. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 605,310 patients hospitalized in the INICC's ICUs for an aggregate of 3,338,396 days. Although device utilization in the INICC's ICUs was similar to that reported from ICUs in the U.S. in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC's ICUs, 4.9 per 1,000 central line days, is nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.9 per 1,000 central line days reported from comparable U.S. ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher (16.8 vs 1.1 per 1,000 ventilator days) as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.5 vs 1.3 per 1,000 catheter days). Frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (42.8% vs 10%) and imipenem (42.4% vs 26.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (71.2% vs 28.8%) and imipenem (19.6% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC's ICUs compared with the ICUs of the CDC's NHSN.

Moderate alcohol induces stress proteins HSF1 and hsp70 and inhibits proinflammatory cytokines resulting in endotoxin tolerance

Binge or moderate alcohol exposure impairs host defense and increases susceptibility to infection because of compromised innate immune responses. However, there is a lack of consensus on the molecular mechanism by which alcohol mediates this immunosuppression. In this study, we show that cellular stress proteins HSF1 and hsp70 play a mechanistic role in alcohol-mediated inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 pathway. Alcohol exposure induced transcription factor HSF1 mRNA expression and DNA binding activity in primary human monocytes and murine macrophages. Furthermore, HSF1 target gene hsp70 mRNA and protein are upregulated by alcohol in monocytes. In vitro pre-exposure to moderate alcohol reduced subsequent LPS-induced NF-κB promoter activity and downstream TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β production in monocytes and macrophages, exhibiting endotoxin tolerance. Mechanistic analysis demonstrates that alcohol-induced HSF1 binds to the TNF-α promoter in macrophages at early time points, exerting transrepression and decreased TNF-α expression. Furthermore, association of hsp70 with NF-κB subunit p50 in alcohol-treated macrophages correlates with reduced NF-κB activation at later time points. Hsp70 overexpression in macrophages was sufficient to block LPS-induced NF-κB promoter activity, suggesting alcohol-mediated immunosuppression by hsp70. The direct crosstalk of hsp70 and HSF1 was further confirmed by the loss of alcohol-mediated endotoxin tolerance in hsp70- and HSF1-silenced macrophages. Our data suggest that alcohol-mediated activation of HSF1 and induction of hsp70 inhibit TLR4-MyD88 signaling and are required for alcohol-induced endotoxin tolerance. Using stress proteins as direct drug targets would be clinically relevant in alcohol abuse treatment and may serve to provide a better understanding of alcohol-mediated immunosuppression.

Cellular stress response and innate immune signaling: integrating pathways in host defense and inflammation

Extensive research in the past decade has identified innate immune recognition receptors and intracellular signaling pathways that culminate in inflammatory responses. Besides its role in cytoprotection, the importance of cell stress in inflammation and host defense against pathogens is emerging. Recent studies have shown that proteins in cellular stress responses, including the heat shock response, ER stress response, and DNA damage response, interact with and regulate signaling intermediates involved in the activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. The effect of such regulation by cell stress proteins may dictate the inflammatory profile of the immune response during infection and disease. In this review, we describe the regulation of innate immune cell activation by cell stress pathways, present detailed descriptions of the types of stress response proteins and their crosstalk with immune signaling intermediates that are essential in host defense, and illustrate the relevance of these interactions in diseases characteristic of aberrant immune responses, such as chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Understanding the crosstalk between cellular stress proteins and immune signaling may have translational implications for designing more effective regimens to treat immune disorders.

Technology: an aid to clinical judgement

Complete removal of renal cell tumor with thrombus which extends above the diaphragm often necessitates use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can play an important role in delineating the extent of tumor growth. We describe a patient with renal cell carcinoma with thrombosis invading into the right ventricle and its complete removal with the aid of TEE.

Abstract 184: TNF-TNFR1/p55 or TNFR2/p75 Receptor-Ligand Interactions Inhibit Early and Increase Delayed Radio-Biological Bystander Responses in BM-Derived EPCs

TNF-α (TNF) binds two receptors TNFR1-p55 and TNFR2-p75. Ionizing radiation (IR) increases tissue TNF levels. TNF signaling regulates numerous cyto- and chemokines, known to mediate radiation-induced non-targeted effects (NTE), a phenomenon where cells that are not directly “hit” by IR exhibit IR effects as a result of signals received from nearby or distant IR cells. Little is known about the role of p55 or p75 in regulating NTEs in bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs. We hypothesized that inhibition of TNF signaling either via p55, or p75 may alter TNF-mediated inflammatory responses, inducing NTEs. Medium transfer experiments (MTE) were performed in WT, p55 knockout(KO) and p75KO BM-derived EPC ex-vivo, where one set of EPCs was irradiated with 1Gy of γ-IR, then IR-conditioned medium (CM) was collected from these dishes at 1, 5, 24h and 3, 5d post-IR. Filtered (0.22µm) IR-CM was transferred to naïve non-IR same genotype EPCs and 24h post-incubation naïve EPCs were processed for p-y-H2AX staining for presence and decay of double strand breaks (DSB). CM from IR EPCs were processed for ELISA profiling (16 genes) and IR EPCs were processed for transcriptional profiling. In WT EPC the peak of detectable mean p-y-H2AX foci/cell were at 24h, whereas in p55 and p75KOs p-y-H2AX were the lowest at 24h (9±0.8 vs 4.8±0.6 and 3.7±0.5, p<0.01 and 0.001, WT vs p55 and p75KOs). This finding indicates that altered TNF signaling inhibits early NTEs (hours) in EPCs. Compared to WT, delayed (5 days) NTEs were amplified in naïve p55 and p75KO EPCs (3.8±0.4 vs 8.5±1 and 5.9±0.8, p<0.02 and 0.01, WT vs p55 and p75KOs), suggesting significant role for TNF signaling in mediating delayed NTEs. ELISA profiling of 16 proteins in CM over 5 days post-IR showed 200-1600% increases (p<0.002, p55KO vs WT) in cumulative levels of TNF, IFNr, IL6, EGF, MIP-1α, GM-SCF, Rantes, and 200-1000%, increases (p<0.05, p75KO vs WT) in IL1α, IL1β, G -CSF, MCP-1, SCF. Transcriptional profiling of γ-IR EPC revealed 139 genes (>2 fold) up or down regulated, clustered into 9 groups. Other aspects of gene array data are being considered. We conclude that TNF ligand-receptor axis regulates NTEs in naïve EPCs and suggest that restoring TNF signaling balance could be used to prevent delayed NTEs in distant from primary IR target tissues.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in eggs and tissues of house sparrow, Passer domesticus, from Tamil Nadu, India

This study provides information on the current status of contamination by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in eggs and tissues of House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, in Tamil Nadu, India. The mean concentration of total hexachlorocyclohexane (∑HCH) and total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (∑DDT) in eggs ranged from 0.01 to 1.81 μg/g and 0.02 to 1.29 μg/g, respectively. Concentration of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) ranged from below detectable limit (BDL) to 0.64 μg/g, representing more than 60% of the ∑DDTs. About 28% of samples had p,p'-DDE levels above the critical concentration associated with reproductive impairment. However, the mean concentrations of cyclodiene insecticides were less than 0.5 μg/g. Although OCPs levels detected in tissues are not indicative of toxicity, continuous monitoring is recommended.

Activation of Wnt signaling arrests effector differentiation in human peripheral and cord blood-derived T lymphocytes

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in thymocyte development and T cell migration, but little is known about its role in naive-to-effector differentiation in human peripheral T cells. We show that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling arrests human peripheral blood and cord blood T lymphocytes in the naive stage and blocks their transition into functional T effector cells. Wnt signaling was induced in polyclonally activated human T cells by treatment either with the glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitor TWS119 or the physiological Wnt agonist Wnt-3a, and these T cells preserved a naive CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) phenotype compared with control-activated T cells that progressed to a CD45RO(+)CD62L(-) effector phenotype, and this occurred in a TWS119 dose-dependent manner. TWS119-induced Wnt signaling reduced T cell expansion, as a result of a block in cell division, and impaired acquisition of T cell effector function, measured by degranulation and IFN-γ production in response to T cell activation. The block in T cell division may be attributed to the reduced IL-2Rα expression in TWS119-treated T cells that lowers their capacity to use autocrine IL-2 for expansion. Collectively, our data suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a negative regulator of naive-to-effector T cell differentiation in human T lymphocytes. The arrest in T cell differentiation induced by Wnt signaling might have relevant clinical applications such as to preserve the naive T cell compartment in Ag-specific T cells generated ex vivo for adoptive T cell immunotherapy.

Metal contamination in select species of birds in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India

Variation in metal contamination in six species of birds, namely the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striatus) in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India. The accumulation of heavy metals differed among the species studied. On an average, Little Egret accumulated high concentrations of copper (53.31 ± 23.19 ppm) followed by Cattle Egret (16.27 ± 9.83 ppm) in liver. Of all the species, Jungle Babbler recorded the maximum concentrations (20.59 ± 9.07 ppm) in muscle. The Pond Heron recorded the maximum concentration (35.38 ± 11.14 ppm) in brain. On an average the maximum level was in the kidney of Common Myna (7.76 ± 1.80 ppm).

A Validated RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Nebivolol and Hydrochlorothiazide in Tablets

A simple, selective, rapid, precise and economical reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous estimation of nebivolol and hydrochlorthiazide from pharmaceutical formulation. Phenomenex Gemini C₁₈ (25 cm×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μ) column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: 50mM ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 3.5 using orthophosphoric acid) (70:30 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min was used. Detection was carried out at 254 nm. Probenecid was used as an internal standard. The retention times of probenecid, nebivolol and hydrochlorthiazide were 13.05, 3.32 and 4.25 min, respectively. The developed method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and solution stability. The proposed method can be used for the estimation of these drugs in combined dosage forms.

Activation of Wnt signaling preserves naive T cell phenotype (52.28)

The study of canonical Wnt-β catenin signaling in mature T cells in mouse models has shown that activation of Wnt signaling led to an arrest in effector T cell differentiation and promoted memory T cell formation. This project extends this investigation into human T cells and examines the effect of this signaling pathway on naïve-effector-memory development in mature human T cells. Recapitulating the results seen in mouse models may help to overcome limitations in clinical treatments such as adoptive T cell therapy for cancer since studies have shown that infusion of naïve or memory T cells improves in vivo persistence of these T cells. Wnt signaling was induced in polyclonally activated human T cells and after a week’s culture, there was a significant increase in naïve CD45RA+CD62L+ T cells (4 vs. 32%) and a corresponding decrease in effector CD45RO+ T cells (86 vs. 63%) as measured by flow cytometry. Cell expansion was significantly reduced as a result of an arrest in cell proliferation (88% vs. 27%). Treating Wnt-activated cells with IL-15, IL-7 or IL-2 restored proliferation but led to a corresponding loss of the naïve phenotype. Wnt signaling also led to impaired T cell effector function, in terms of degranulation (60 vs. 11%) and IFN-γ production (24% vs. 5%). Therefore, activation of Wnt signaling in mature human T cells preserves a subset of naïve T cells by arresting proliferation and impairs T cell effector function.

Diclofenac residues in blood plasma and tissues of vultures collected from Ahmedabad, India

The study reports residues of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug, in tissues of 11 White-backed Vulture, Gyps bengalensis collected between 2005 and 2007 and blood plasma of 12 White-backed Vulture, four Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus and two Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus collected during 2005. Samples were analysed using High Performance Liquid Chromatograhy (HPLC) equipped with UV detector. One of the White-backed Vultures collected during 2005 had substantial urate deposits on its viscera and diclofenac was detected in its liver (1.42 ppm wet weight) and kidney (1.18 ppm wet weight), which is suggestive of diclofenac exposure and intoxication. Although uric acid crystals were not observed in the remaining birds received during 2005, the residues of diclofenac detected were at levels higher than the toxic limits (0.25-1 ppm). No residues were detected in any of the tissues of birds collected during 2006 and 2007 (6 birds). About 89% (16 of 18) of plasma samples collected during 2005 had diclofenac residues (White-backed vulture: BDL to 0.17 ppm; Egyptian vulture: BDL to 0.09 ppm; Griffon vulture: 0.07-0.14 ppm). However, plasma diclofenac concentrations were less than the concentrations reported to be toxic. Although use of diclofenac for treating cattle has been banned in India, regular monitoring is recommended to assess the effectiveness of the ban on the drug in support of the conservation of these species.

Comparative evaluation of two cold staining methods with the Ziehl-Neelsen method for the diagnosis of tuberculosis

In developing countries pulmonary tuberculosis is usually diagnosed by detecting acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in sputum using a Ziehl-Neelsen (Z-N) staining method. However, in the field the traditional method of staining is difficult to carry out. This study evaluates the efficiency of two cold staining methods, namely Gabbet's and a modified two reagent cold staining method compared with the Z-N taken as the gold standard. Triplicate smears were prepared from 267 sputum samples and stained by the Z-N, Gabbet's, and a modified cold staining method, the smears were positive for AFB in 21 (7.87%), 18 (6.74%) and 19 (7.12%), respectively. The sensitivities for the Gabbet's and modified cold stain were 85.7% and 90.5%, respectively. The positive agreement between the Z-N and Gabbet's (92.3%) and Z-N and modified cold stain (95%) were good. The modified cold staining method was less time consuming and easier to perform in the field.