Socioeconomic differences in prevalence of biochemical, physiological, and metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases among urban youth in Delhi, India

This study examined whether the distribution of biochemical, physiological, and metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children and youth in urban India vary by socioeconomic status (SES). Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey of students enrolled in the 2nd and 11th grades in 19 randomly selected schools in Delhi (N = 1329) in 2014-15. Mixed-effect regression models were used to determine the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs among private (higher SES) and government (lower SES) school students. After adjusting for age, gender, and grade we found the percentage of overweight (13.16% vs. 3.1%, p value < 0.01) and obese (8.7% vs. 0.3%, p value < 0.01) students was significantly higher among private relative to government school students. Similarly, significantly higher percentage of private school students had higher waist circumference values (7.72% vs. 0.58%, p value < 0.01) than government school students. Furthermore, similar trend was observed across schools in the distribution of other NCD risk factors: raised blood pressure, raised total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein. Surprisingly, despite a higher prevalence of all risk factors, significantly higher percentage of private school students had adequate/ideal levels of high-density lipoprotein. Overall, the risk profile of private school students suggests they are more vulnerable to future NCDs.

Lack of detectable allergenicity in genetically modified maize containing "Cry" proteins as compared to native maize based on in silico & in vitro analysis

Background

Genetically modified, (GM) crops with potential allergens must be evaluated for safety and endogenous IgE binding pattern compared to native variety, prior to market release.

Objective

To compare endogenous IgE binding proteins of three GM maize seeds containing Cry 1Ab,1Ac,1C transgenic proteins with non GM maize.

Methods

An integrated approach of in silico & in vitro methods was employed. Cry proteins were tested for presence of allergen sequence by FASTA in allergen databases. Biochemical assays for maize extracts were performed. Specific IgE (sIgE) and Immunoblot using food sensitized patients sera (n = 39) to non GM and GM maize antigens was performed.

Results

In silico approaches, confirmed for non sequence similarity of stated transgenic proteins in allergen databases. An insignificant (p> 0.05) variation in protein content between GM and non GM maize was observed. Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) revealed reduced number of stable protein fractions in GM then non GM maize which might be due to shift of constituent protein expression. Specific IgE values from patients showed insignificant difference in non GM and GM maize extracts. Five maize sensitized cases, recognized same 7 protein fractions of 88-28 kD as IgE bindng in both GM and non-GM maize, signifying absence of variation. Four of the reported IgE binding proteins were also found to be stable by SGF.

Conclusion

Cry proteins did not indicate any significant similarity of >35% in allergen databases. Immunoassays also did not identify appreciable differences in endogenous IgE binding in GM and non GM maize.

First case report of anaphylaxis caused by Rajgira seed flour (Amaranthus paniculatus) from India: a clinico-immunologic evaluation

The prevalence of food allergy is reported to be 3-4% in adults and about 6% in children. However food allergy across different countries accounts for 35-50 % all cases of anaphylaxis to foods. In the present study, we have reported a case of anaphylaxis to Amaranth grain (Amaranthus paniculatus) commonly known as Rajgira (Ramdana) in India. A 60 year old female suffered anaphylaxis after consuming Rajgira seed flour generally consumed during fasting. Food allergy to Amaranth seeds is not reported so far. The patient reported to hospital with complaints of itching in mouth, choking throat, redness and swelling of face and burning abdomen within 5 min of consuming Rajgira flour. Clinical and immunological investigations revealed SPT and oral challenge positivity beside high allergen specific IgE in the serum of the patient. Three IgE binding protein fractions were detected in roasted Rajgira seed flour extract which could be considered to be allergenically important for triggering anaphylaxis.

An aerobiological perspective in allergy and asthma

Allergic diseases are amongst the most common chronic disorders worldwide. Today, more than 300 million of the population is known to suffer from one or other allergic ailments affecting the socio-economic quality of life. Major causative agents implicated are pollen grains, fungal spores, dust mites, insect debris, animal epithelia, etc. Several aerobiological studies have been conducted in different parts of the world to ascertain aerial concentration and seasonality of pollen grains and fungi. Especially from clinical point of view, it is important to know the details about the pollen season and pollen load in the atmosphere. The flowering time of higher plants are events that come periodically in each season, but the time of blooming may differ from year to year, in different geographic locations. Based on differences recorded in several years of observations in airborne pollen, pollen calendars are drawn as an aid to allergy diagnosis and management. This review article emphasises on various aerobiological parameters of environmental pollen from different parts of the world with special emphasis from India. The role of aerobiology in the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases is reviewed briefly in this article.

Functional regulation of PVBV Nuclear Inclusion protein-a protease activity upon interaction with Viral Protein genome-linked and phosphorylation

Regulation of NIa-Pro is crucial for polyprotein processing and hence, for successful infection of potyviruses. We have examined two novel mechanisms that could regulate NIa-Pro activity. Firstly, the influence of VPg domain on the proteolytic activity of NIa-Pro was investigated. It was shown that the turnover number of the protease increases when these two domains interact (cis: two-fold; trans: seven-fold) with each other. Secondly, the protease activity of NIa-Pro could also be modulated by phosphorylation at Ser129. A mutation of this residue either to aspartate (phosphorylation-mimic) or alanine (phosphorylation-deficient) drastically reduces the protease activity. Based on these observations and molecular modeling studies, we propose that interaction with VPg as well as phosphorylation of Ser129 could relay a signal through Trp143 present at the protein surface to the active site pocket by subtle conformational changes, thus modulating protease activity of NIa-Pro.

Disposition of the opioid antagonist, nalmefene, in rat and dog

1. The disposition of nalmefene in rat and dog was studied using in vitro and in vivo methodology. In vitro metabolite profiles were obtained following incubation of nalmefene with liver microsomes and biological fluids were assayed to profile in vivo metabolites. Characterization of metabolites was accomplished using hplc, co-chromatography with synthetic standards, or LC/MS. 2. In rat, tissue distribution and metabolite plasma concentration-time data were obtained following intravenous bolus dosing of nalmefene. 3. The results indicate that the primary phase I metabolite of nalmefene from liver microsome incubations was the N-dealkylated metabolite, nornalmefene. Quantitative metabolite production was rat >> dog. In vivo, nornalmefene glucuronide was the major metabolite in rat urine, whereas nalmefene glucuronide(s) were predominant in dog urine. 4. More than 90% of the radioactive dose was recovered in the rat excreta and tissues 24 h after an intravenous bolus dose of 14C-nalmefene, with no apparent organ-specific retention of radioactivity. 5. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the rat plasma metabolite data indicated that terminal half-lives for nalmefene and nornalmefene were comparable (approximately 1 h). However, Cmax and AUC of nornalmefene were < or = 7% that of corresponding nalmefene values.

Steroids and their conjugates in the mammalian brain

Five steroids--3 beta-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolone; P), 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3 beta-AP), 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3 alpha-AP), 3 beta-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone; D), and 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17-one (EpiA)--were extracted from the brains of adult male rats, rabbits, and dogs. The steroids exist in this organ as unconjugated compounds and as sulfates, lipoidal esters, and sulfolipids. The techniques for separating these four classes of steroids from each other and for separating the five steroids from each other are described. In all cases, the steroids were identified by their retention time (Rt) on HPLC, their Rt by gas chromatography, and by selected ion monitoring of their mass spectra. The latter were also used for quantification. In their reaction toward organic bases, the sulfolipid conjugates resemble previously described sulfolipids of cholesterol and sitosterol. These conjugates are relatively abundant in brain, particularly those of P and D, and this suggests that, in the search for the physiological significance of these brain constituents, these conjugates warrant attention.

Steroidogenic potential of lyophilized mitochondria from bovine adrenocortical tissue

When incubated with [3H]cholesterol, a bovine adrenocortical mitochondrial pellet obtained by centrifugation at 12,000 x g yielded, as expected, only the C21O2 metabolites progesterone and pregnenolone. However, the steroidogenic potential of the 12,000 x g pellet fraction was augmented significantly by lyophilization. After lyophilization, the 12,000 x g pellet converted the sterol into C19 androgens and corticosteroids, in addition to C21O2 pregnane derivatives. Leaching the lyophilized mitochondrial fraction with either hexane or acetone increased substantially the yields of the metabolites. It did not change qualitatively the array of metabolites formed during in vitro incubation, but 5 alpha-reductase activity was unmasked by the washings, particularly with acetone. Thus, the fraction sedimented at 12,000 x g contains the complete complement of steroidogenic enzymes required for the biosynthesis of the aforementioned adrenal hormones. These results cast doubt upon the widely held belief that the various enzymes required for adrenocortical steroidogenesis are distributed between two different subcellular compartments, the mitochondrion and the endoplasmic reticulum.