CRISPR-Cas Technology as a Revolutionary Genome Editing tool: Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications

Programmable nucleases are powerful genomic tools for precise genome editing. These tools precisely recognize, remove, or change DNA at a defined site, thereby, stimulating cellular DNA repair pathways that can cause mutations or accurate replacement or deletion/insertion of a sequence. CRISPR-Cas9 system is the most potent and useful genome editing technique adapted from the defense immune system of certain bacteria and archaea against viruses and phages. In the past decade, this technology made notable progress, and at present, it has largely been used in genome manipulation to make precise gene editing in plants, animals, and human cells. In this review, we aim to explain the basic principle, mechanisms of action, and applications of this system in different areas of medicine, with emphasizing on the detection and treatment of parasitic diseases.

Clinicopathologic factors and their association with outcomes of salivary ductal carcinoma: a multi-center experience

Purpose

This series reports long-term clinical outcomes of patients with salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), which is associated with a poor prognosis.

Methods and Materials

Eighty-nine patients with SDC were treated with curative intent from February 5, 1971, through September 15, 2018. Kaplan-Meier and competing risk analyses were used to estimate locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Cox regression analyses of disease and treatment characteristics were performed to discover predictors of locoregional control, DMFS, and OS.

Results

Median follow-up was 44.1 months (range, 0.23-356.67). The median age at diagnosis was 66 years (interquartile range, 57-75). Curative surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy was performed in 73 patients (82%). Chemotherapy was delivered in 26 patients (29.2%). The 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 27% and 44%, respectively, with death as a competing risk. Distant metastasis was associated with lymph node-positive disease (hazard ratio [HR], 3.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-7.23; P = .006), stage IV disease (HR, 4.78; 95% CI, 1.14-20.11; P = .033), perineural invasion (HR, 4.56; 95% CI, 1.74-11.97; P = .002), and positive margins (HR, 9.06; 95% CI, 3.88-21.14; P < .001). Median OS was 4.84 years (95% CI, 3.54-7.02). The 5-year OS was 42%. Reduced OS was associated with lymphovascular space invasion (HR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.2-10.1; P = .022), perineural invasion (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.06-3.97; P = .033), positive margins (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6; P = .011), N2 disease (HR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.03-3.43; P = .04), and N3 disease (HR, 11.76; 95% CI, 3.19-43.3; P < .001).

Conclusions

In this single-institution, multicenter retrospective study, the 5-year survival was 42% in patients with SDC. Lymphovascular space invasion, lymph node involvement, and higher staging at diagnosis were associated with lower DMFS and OS.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: Patterns of recurrence and implications for intensity-modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

We seek to inform radiotherapy (RT) delivery for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACC) by evaluating RT techniques and recurrence patterns.

METHODS

We identified patients with ACC treated with curative-intent RT from 2005 to 2021. Imaging was reviewed to determine local recurrence (LR).

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients were included. The 5-year LR risk was 12.2% (6.6-22.7). One patient each experienced a marginal and out-of-field recurrence. Patients receiving >60 Gy postoperatively had a 5-year LR risk of 0% compared to 10.7% (4.2-27.2) with ≤60 Gy. Those receiving 70 and <70 Gy definitively had a 5-year LR risk of 15.2% (2.5-91.6) and 33.3% (6.7-100.0), respectively. No patients had regional nodal failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern, conformal RT for ACC results in low rates of LR. Doses >60 and 70 Gy may improve control in the postoperative and definitive settings, respectively. Elective nodal treatment can be omitted in well-selected patients.

Assessment of maternal dietary patterns and their relationship with c-reactive protein in pregnancy

Background

Inflammation during pregnancy including elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Understanding relationships between CRP and modifiable factors such as dietary patterns is key to identifying opportunities for pregnancy intervention. This study assessed change in adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean diet (MED-diet) from early to late-pregnancy and the relationship between adherence to both dietary patterns at early-pregnancy with plasma CRP at early and late-pregnancy.

Methods

Women (n = 215) attending antenatal clinics at Monash Health, Melbourne were recruited at 10-20 weeks gestation. Medical history and blood samples were collected at 5 antenatal visits. Adapted DASH and MED-diet scores were calculated from Food Frequency Questionnaires completed at early ([mean±SD] 15±3 weeks) and late (36±1 week) pregnancy. CRP was measured in maternal plasma samples collected at early and late-pregnancy. Adjusted linear regression assessed associations of early-pregnancy DASH and MED-diet scores with early and late-pregnancy plasma CRP.

Results

DASH score at early (23.5±4.8) and late (23.5±5.2) pregnancy was not significantly different (p = 0.971). There was no statistically significant change in MED-diet score from early (3.99±1.6) to late-pregnancy (4.08±1.8) (p = 0.408), however, MED-diet adherence and plasma CRP at early pregnancy were significantly and inversely associated (β= -0.14 [95%CI= -0.27, -0.01], p = 0.039).

Conclusions

Adherence to the MED-diet in early pregnancy may be beneficial in reducing inflammatory markers and assisting optimal pregnancy outcomes. Assessment of dietary patterns is important to assist identifying modifiable factors which impact maternal and child health.

Key messages

In vitro effect of some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors against HSV-1 replication

OBJECTIVE

The current study was designed to investigate the effects of some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) on HSV-1 infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially, the SwissTargetPrediction server was used to predict the interactions between HSV-1 thymidine kinase and acyclovir, stavudine, zidovudine, didanosine, and entecavir. The effect of each component on Vero cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. After treatment, the cell supernatants were collected, and HSV-1 replication was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The qPCR results revealed that viral titers were reduced 41, 40, 19, 44, and 31-fold in the presence of acyclovir, zidovudine, stavudine, didanosine, and entecavir, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that NRTIs significantly reduce HSV-1 replication in cell culture.

Understanding American Indian Perceptions Toward Radiation Therapy

Many American Indian (AI) and Alaska native (AN) patients do not complete guideline-concordant cancer care for the 4 most common cancers. Our aim was to better understand AI/AN attitudes toward radiation therapy (RT). Patients eligible for this survey study were AI/AN patients with cancer at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center who either received previous RT or were recommended to receive RT. An 18-item questionnaire was administered to each of the 50 participants from October 1, 2018, through February 15, 2019. Willingness to travel for RT was compared to respondent characteristics, concerns regarding RT, and obstacles to obtain RT. Duration of RT was important to 78% of patients: 24% would consider traveling 25 miles or more for a standard course, and 48% would travel that distance for a shorter course (P < .001). The top-ranked barriers to RT were transportation, cost of treatment, and insurance compatibility. The top-ranked concerns about RT were adverse effects, cost of treatment, and fear of RT. Concerns about adverse effects were associated with the radiation team's inability to explain the treatment (P = .05). Transportation concerns were significantly associated with accessibility (P = .02), communication with the RT team (P = .02), and fear of RT (P = .04). AI/AN patients are concerned about the adverse effects of RT and the logistics of treatment, particularly costs, transportation, and insurance compatibility. Use of culturally specific education and hypofractionation regimens may increase acceptance of RT for AI/AN patients with cancer, and this hypothesis will be tested in a future educational intervention-based study.

Effects of Plantar Flexor Muscles Fatigue on Postural Control during Quiet Stance and External Perturbation in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND

The maintenance of postural control is a key component in dynamic physical activity, especially during muscle fatigue and against external forces. Despite many studies in this field, there is no consensus regarding the effects of plantar flexor muscles fatigue on postural control during different postural tasks.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of plantar flexor muscles fatigue on postural control during quiet stance and external perturbation in healthy subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty four healthy individuals (20-35 years) participated this interventional study. The foot center of pressure data was measured using a single force platform, and then the postural control parameters, including the center of pressure displacement and velocity in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral direction and also path length calculated under two conditions; quiet and perturbed stance, before and after plantar flexor muscles fatigue.

RESULTS

The statistical analysis demonstrated that mean displacement and velocity of the center of pressure in the anterior-posterior direction and also path length increased after the fatigue protocol in the perturbed condition. However, fatigue had no significant effects on postural control parameters in the quiet standing condition.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that the effects of muscle fatigue on postural control depend on the difficulty of the task and the relevance of proprioceptive information. The postural control system appears to use distinct control strategies in different situations such as quiet and perturbed stance conditions, and these strategies may be differentially altered by fatigue. In conclusion, due to the potential risk of loss of balance, it is important to take the role of plantar flexor muscle fatigue into account during more difficult postural tasks.

Efficient Conversion of Oxiranes to Thiiranes with Ammonium Thiocyanate Catalysed with LiBF4

Oxiranes are efficiently converted into the corresponding thiiranes by ammonium thiocyanate in the presence of catalytic amounts of LiBF4 in excellent yields under mild and non-aqueous conditions

Circadian oscillations of cytosine modification in humans contribute to epigenetic variability, aging, and complex disease

BACKGROUND

Maintenance of physiological circadian rhythm plays a crucial role in human health. Numerous studies have shown that disruption of circadian rhythm may increase risk for malignant, psychiatric, metabolic, and other diseases.

RESULTS

Extending our recent findings of oscillating cytosine modifications (osc-modCs) in mice, in this study, we show that osc-modCs are also prevalent in human neutrophils. Osc-modCs may play a role in gene regulation, can explain parts of intra- and inter-individual epigenetic variation, and are signatures of aging. Finally, we show that osc-modCs are linked to three complex diseases and provide a new interpretation of cross-sectional epigenome-wide association studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that loss of balance between cytosine methylation and demethylation during the circadian cycle can be a potential mechanism for complex disease. Additional experiments, however, are required to investigate the possible involvement of confounding effects, such as hidden cellular heterogeneity. Circadian rhythmicity, one of the key adaptations of life forms on Earth, may contribute to frailty later in life.

Correlation between Trunk-Pelvis Inter-Segmental Coordination Parameters during Walking and Disability Level in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) disability has been particularly frustrating because its treatment has been a great therapeutic challenge. Disability has been suggested to depend on different factors that should be found and considered in the medical management. The inter-segmental coordination is often impaired in CLBP subjects; however, to the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence about the relationship between the existence of coordination problems and disability in CLBP patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correlation between sagittal plane trunk-pelvis inter-segmental coordination parameters during walking and disability level in CLBP patients.

METHODS

Kinematic data were collected from 16 non-specific CLBP (18-40 years) volunteers during walking. Sagittal plane time-normalized segmental angles and velocities were used to calculate continuous relative phase for each data point. Coordination parameters, mean absolute relative phase (MARP) and deviation phase (DP) were derived to quantify the trunk-pelvis coordination pattern and variability during gait cycles, respectively. The disability level was quantified through Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find the probable correlation between coordination parameters and disability level.

RESULTS

The analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between sagittal plane MARP or DP and disability level (%ODI) in CLBP subjects during walking (r= -0.806 P<0.001 and r= -0.856, P<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the lower the MARP (more in-phase pattern) and DP (less variable pattern) in the CLBP subjects, the more disability existing in such patients. The results suggest that clinicians should look beyond pain management when prescribing rehabilitation for CLBP and consider interventions that target segmental coordination improvement to manage CLBP induced disability.

Ziziphus Jujube: a review study of its anticancer effects in various tumor models invitro and invivo

The growing rate of cancer incidences and inefficiency of current therapies have made scientists to find novel agents such as medicinal plants. Ziziphus jujube is one of these plants whose pharmaceutical effects have been studied for a long time. Recent investigations have proved that bioactive compounds of Ziziphus jujube including triterpenic acids, flavonoids, cerebrosides, phenolic acids, α tocopherol, β carotene, and polysaccharides have anti-proliferative effects on several cancerous cell lines and animals. The present study aimed to cover all previous invitro and invivo findings and some of molecular mechanisms of its anticancer property.

EFFECTS OF ARNEBIA EUCHROMA EXTRACT ON STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETES IN RATS: A STEREOLOGICAL STUDY

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered as an important health confounder in our world, which necessitates its better management by new methods. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of oral Arnebia Euchroma (AE) extract on different stereological parameters of the pancreas as well as blood glucose in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats.

METHODS

We divided 48 Wistar rats into 4 groups: C1 including normal rats, C2 not-treated diabetic rats, E1 with diabetic rats receiving 100 mg/kg AE extract orally, and E2 including diabetic rats treated with 300 mg/kg AE extract. Stereological study was done and the levels of blood glucose were also estimated and compared between experimental and control groups.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in volumes of pancreatic islets, β cell populations, blood glucose levels in AE treated groups compared with not-treated diabetic group.

CONCLUSION

Although AE did not completely prevent or heal the pancreatic damage, its oral administration showed promising effects on maintaining the population of beta cells, the main insulin secreting cells, after STZ-induced injury and also lowered blood glucose levels compared to the not-treated diabetic group.

Sperm DNA methylation of H19 imprinted gene and male infertility

Infertility affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide, with male factor being detected in 40%-50% of the cases. Proper sperm production is associated with the establishment of appropriate epigenetic marks in developing germ cells. Several studies have demonstrated the association between abnormal spermatogenesis and epigenetic disturbances with the major focus on DNA methylation. Imprinted genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, and the role of their DNA methylation in proper spermatogenesis has been documented recently. The existing evidence along with the absence of relevant data in south of Iran prompted us to study the methylation of H19 imprinted gene in spermatozoa of idiopathic infertile patients (males with abnormalities in sperm parameters) and healthy controls by Combined Bisulfite Restriction Analysis. According to our results, the lowest methylation percentage of H19 imprinted gene belongs to three cases with sperm characteristics under normal range (two cases Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and one case Oligoteratozoospermia). However, our results show that the median of methylation percentage for H19 is not statistically significant between case and control groups. Our results and those of others introduce DNA methylation as a potential marker of fertility and should be investigated with more patients in future studies.

Lactase nonpersistence is directed by DNA-variation-dependent epigenetic aging

Inability to digest lactose due to lactase non-persistence is a common trait in adult mammals, with the exception of certain human populations that exhibit lactase persistence. It is not clear how the lactase gene can be dramatically downregulated with age in most individuals, but remains active in some. We performed a comprehensive epigenetic study of the human and mouse intestine using chromosome-wide DNA modification profiling and targeted bisulfite sequencing. Epigenetically-controlled regulatory elements were found to account for the differences in lactase mRNA levels between individuals, intestinal cell types and species. The importance of these regulatory elements in modulating lactase mRNA levels was confirmed by CRISPR-Cas9-induced deletions. Genetic factors contribute to epigenetic changes occurring with age at the regulatory elements, as lactase persistence- and non-persistence-DNA haplotypes demonstrated markedly different epigenetic aging. Thus, genetic factors facilitate a gradual accumulation of epigenetic changes with age to affect phenotypic outcome.

Epigenetic assimilation in the aging human brain

Background

Epigenetic drift progressively increases variation in DNA modification profiles of aging cells, but the finale of such divergence remains elusive. In this study, we explored the dynamics of DNA modification and transcription in the later stages of human life.

Results

We find that brain tissues of older individuals (>75 years) become more similar to each other, both epigenetically and transcriptionally, compared with younger individuals. Inter-individual epigenetic assimilation is concurrent with increasing similarity between the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum, which points to potential brain cell dedifferentiation. DNA modification analysis of twins affected with Alzheimer’s disease reveals a potential for accelerated epigenetic assimilation in neurodegenerative disease. We also observe loss of boundaries and merging of neighboring DNA modification and transcriptomic domains over time.

Conclusions

Age-dependent epigenetic divergence, paradoxically, changes to convergence in the later stages of life. The newly described phenomena of epigenetic assimilation and tissue dedifferentiation may help us better understand the molecular mechanisms of aging and the origins of diseases for which age is a risk factor.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-016-0946-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

High Precision DNA Modification Analysis of HCG9 in Major Psychosis

New epigenetic technologies may uncover etiopathogenic mechanisms of major psychosis. In this study, we applied padlock probe-based ultra-deep bisulfite sequencing for fine mapping of modified cytosines of the HLA complex group 9 (nonprotein coding) gene in the postmortem brains of individuals affected with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and unaffected controls. Significant differences between patients and controls were detected in both CpG and CpH modifications. In addition, we identified epigenetic age effects, DNA modification differences between sense and anti-sense strands, and demonstrated how DNA modification data can be used in clustering of patient populations. Our findings revealed new epigenetic complexities but also highlighted the potential of DNA modification approaches in the search of heterogeneous causes of major psychiatric disease.

Risk assessment of gas oil and kerosene contamination on some properties of silty clay soil

Soil and ground water resource pollution by petroleum compounds and chemical solvents has multiple negative environmental impacts. The aim of this research was to investigate the impacts of kerosene and gas oil pollutants on some physical and chemical properties, breakthrough curve (BTC), and water retention curve (SWRC) of silty clay soil during a 3-month period. Therefore, some water-saturated soils were artificially contaminated in the pulse condition inside some glassy cylinders by applying half and one pore volume of these pollutants, and then parametric investigations of the SWRC were performed using RETC software for Van Genukhten and Brooks-Corey equations in the various suctions and the soil properties were determined before and after pollution during 3 months. The results showed that gas oil and kerosene had a slight effect on soil pH and caused the cumulative enhancement in the soil respiration, increase in the bulk density and organic matter, and reduction in the soil porosity and electrical and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Furthermore, gas oil retention was significantly more than kerosene (almost 40%) in the soil. The survey of SWRC indicated that the contaminated soil samples had a little higher amount of moisture retention (just under 15% in most cases) compared to the unpolluted ones during this 3-month period. The parametric analysis of SWRC demonstrated an increase in the saturated water content, Θ s, from nearly 49% in the control sample to just under 53% in the polluted ones. Contaminants not only decreased the residual water content, Θ r, but also reduced the SWRC gradient, n, and amount of α parameter. The evaluation of both equations revealed more accurate prediction of SWRC's parameters by Van Genukhten compared to those of Brooks and Corey.

IRF6 Is a Marker of Severity in Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip/Palate

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) is thought to be caused by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and this has thus hindered the process of identifying genetic causative factors. Numerous studies in the past decade have implicated IRF6 in CL/P, but this has not often been replicated in other populations. In specific, the only etiologic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified in the IRF6 locus (rs642961) has recently been shown not to be associated with CL/P in diverse populations. We therefore used a genewide tagging SNP (tagSNP) haplotyping approach (including rs642961 as a tagSNP) to detect all potential risk-conferring haplotypes and combined this with detailed subphenotyping of CL/P cases ( N = 150) according to severity. We observed a significant overrepresentation of a tagSNP haplotype carrying the rs642961 risk allele in the most severe subphenotype of CL/P (complete bilateral CL/P; P = 0.008, odds ratio = 4.97, 95% confidence interval = 1.33 to 18.46). It was recently shown that >80% of IRF6 mutations in syndromic CL/P occur on the same haplotype background. We therefore suggest that IRF6 is a marker of CL/P severity.

Tissue engineering using human mineralized bone xenograft and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells allograft in healing of tibial fracture of experimental rabbit model

BACKGROUND

Bone healing and its reconstruction in fractures, especially in long bones are of particular importance in regenerative medicine. This study compares the bone healing rate after a human xenograft of mineralized bone and together with an allograft of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an experimental tibial bone fracture rabbit model.

METHODS

In fall 2009, twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. In both groups, a 5 mm segmental defect was created in the right tibia. In group A, a scaffold pin was seeded with allogenic rabbit MSCs and was placed in the defect area and in group B, the defect was filled with an unseeded pin human mineralized bone xenograft. An untreated defect was induced in the left tibia of all animals serving as the control. After 4-8 weeks, the segmental defects were histologically evaluated and also by a compressive test.

RESULTS

In groups A and B, healing and formation of new bony tissue were significantly more than the control group and with a significant less inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Tissue engineering of mineralized bone xenograft and MSCs allograft may be significant steps in bone healing and regenerative medicine.

The healing effect of arnebia euchroma in second degree burn wounds in rat as an animal model

BACKGROUND

Finding more efficient agents with fewer side effects for treatment of burns has always been a concern for researchers. Silver sulfadiazine (SSD), apparently due to its antimicrobial effect, is still one of the most common prescribed agents. Previous studies suggested that Arnebia euchroma (AE) has shown antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study investigates the healing effect of AE extract in comparison with SSD in second degree burn wounds.

METHODS

Fort eight female Wistar rats (220±20 g) were divided into four groups. Standard second degree burn wounds were induced on the back of their necks. One group was treated with SSD; two groups were treated with AE cream at concentrations of 10% (AE10) and 20% (AE20) and the control group which received no treatment. The duration of treatment was 28 days.

RESULTS

This study revealed that AE and SSD noticeably improved re-epithelization, fibroblasts proliferation, and collagen bundle synthesis and had a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Results of the present study revealed that Arnebia euchroma herbal extract was an effective treatment for second degree burn wounds when compared with SSD.

P01-340-Title: comparing of psychiatric co- morbidity disorders in primary school students with adhd subtypes (attention deficit, hyperactivity, combined) in academic year of 2009–2010 in arak-iran

Introduction

ADHD is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in children.

Objective

ADHD have co-morbidity with many other psychiatric disorders.

Aims

Aim of this study was Comparing of prevalence of three subtypes of ADHD with psychiatric Co- morbidity in primary school students of Arak-Iran.

Methods

This study was a descriptive analytic, cross- sectional one, which carried on 2000 (960 girls and 1040 boys)primary school students in 1st state of Arak in academic year of 2009–2010, which screened by Intelligence Raiven scale and 48 Canner’s questionnaire (parents and teachers)and if there were existed of any subtypes of ADHD, we have done K-SADS-E questionnaire(Schedule for Affective disorder and Schizophrenia -epidemiological version)for them, then data were analyzed by using descriptive- statistical methods and Logistic- regression for obtaining R. R.

Results

2.3, 3.5 and 2.7 percent of children have one of the subtypes of ADHD. The findings showed that prevalence of hyperactivity and attention deficit subtypes decreased while combined type increased by increasing age. The prevalence of two subtypes of hyperactivity and attention deficit in boys and girls were not significantly different but combined type was significantly different. Finally, there were differences between ADHD subtypes and Co morbidity of psychiatric disorders such as conduct, depressive,enuresis, tic, schizophrenia, oppositional, obsessive- compulsive, manic and social phobia, but these differences were not significant between girls and boys.

Conclusions

Prevalence of subtypes of the ADHD were different between age and gender but there were not significant differences between Co morbidity of ADHD subtypes and psychiatric disorders.

A comparative study of antigen and antibody detection in visceral leishmaniasis using serum and urine-based ELISA

An antigen-based ELISA system was evaluated for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Urine samples from confirmed VL cases were tested by the system in comparison with urine samples from patients with non-VL infectious disease and patients with non-infectious diseases. Antigen was detected in urine of 21 out of 35 (60%) of VL cases. No cross reaction was found with samples from healthy individuals except in 3 samples from non-VL infectious diseases. Two samples from cutaneous leishmaniasis patient and one from patient with toxoplasmosis. The results obtained with the antigen-based ELISA were compared to those obtained with direct agglutination test (DAT), an antibody-based ELISA and indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) revealed that the antigen-based ELISA is comparable in terms of specificity (91.2%; 95% CI=75.2-97.7%) but with a lower sensitivity (60%; 95% CI=42.2-75.6%). These results suggest that the antigen detection in urine by the noninvasive antigen-based ELISA system might offer a useful method for diagnosis of VL.

Effect of Azotobacter chroococcum application on quantity and quality forage of rapeseed cultivars

The study was conducted to determine the effect of Azotobacter chroococcum (Azotobacter) application on quality and quantity forage of the rapeseed cultivars (RGS 003, Hyolla 401 and Hyolla 330) and the possibility of cultivation the rapeseed forage in summer. The experimental design was spilt plot laid out in randomized complete block with three replications. Different levels of Azotobacter (zero and one kg hal) and cultivars were randomized to main plot and sub plot units, respectively. Results showed that Azotobacter significantly affected on all quantity traits except plant height. There were significant differences among cultivars for dry matter, biomass, sub branch number, plant height and forage glucosinolate concentration. Therefore Azotobacter can be considered as growth promoting for rapeseed in the future studies. Also, RGS003 cultivar was better than other cultivars when Azotobacter was applied.

Anti-infarct effect of magnesium is not mediated by adenosine A1 receptors in rat globally ischaemic isolated hearts

1. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of magnesium (Mg) on cardiac function and infarct size and to compare it effects with those of adenosine. The mechanism of Mg-mediated cardioprotection was explored by combined use of Mg and a selective adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist. 2. Rat isolated hearts were used for Langendorff perfusion. Hearts were either non-preconditioned or preconditioned with Mg (6 mmol/L) or adenosine (1 mmol/L) before 30 min sustained ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. Within each of these protocols, hearts were divided into two groups; one group was exposed to the A(1) receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 200 nmol/L). Infarct size was measured by the triphenyltetrazolium chloride method. Left ventricular function was assessed by left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), the product of heart rate x LVDP and coronary flow (CF). 3. The administration of Mg had an anti-infarct effect independent of its effect on postischaemic functional recovery in rats. Both Mg and adenosine equipotently reduced infarct size, but this effect of Mg was not blocked by the simultaneous administration of DPCPX. Cardiac function was improved by both adenosine and Mg and blockade of adenosine A(1) receptors attenuated these effects for both agents. 4. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that stimulation of adenosine A(1) receptors is not responsible for the anti-infarct effect of Mg in ischaemic myocardium in rats, but that the Mg-mediated protection of postischaemic functional recovery in rats is mediated by these receptors.

High-rate acidophilic ferrous iron oxidation in a biofilm airlift reactor and the role of the carrier material

In this study, the feasibility and engineering aspects of acidophilic ferrous iron oxidation in a continuous biofilm airlift reactor inoculated with a mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans bacteria were investigated. Specific attention was paid to biofilm formation, competition between both types of bacteria, ferrous iron oxidation rate, and gas liquid mass transfer limitations. The reactor was operated at a constant temperature of 30 degrees C and at pH values of 0-1.8. Startup of the reactor was performed with basalt carrier material. During the experiments the basalt was slowly removed and the ferric iron precipitates formed served as a biofilm carrier. These precipitates have highly suitable characteristics as a carrier material for the immobilization of ferrous iron-oxidizing bacteria and dense conglomerates were observed. Lowering the pH (0.6-1) resulted in dissolution of the ferric precipitates and induced granular sludge formation. The maximum ferrous iron oxidation rate achieved in this study was about 145 molFe(2+)/m(3).h at a hydraulic residence time of 0.25 h. Optimal treatment performance was obtained at a loading rate of 100 mol/m(3).h at a conversion efficiency as high as 98%. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) studies showed that when the reactor was operated at high ferrous iron conversion (>85%) for 1 month, the desirable L. ferrooxidans species could out-compete A. ferrooxidans due to the low Fe(2+) and high Fe(3+) concentrations.

Genomic organization and cloning of the human homologue of murine Sipa-1

Murine Sipa-1 (signal-induced proliferation associated protein) is a mitogen induced GTPase activating protein (GAP). While mapping candidate genes for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) at 11q13, we cloned the human homologue of Sipa-1. Herein, we report the complete cDNA sequence, expression, and genomic organization of SIPA-1. SIPA-1 consists of 16 exons with highly conserved exon-intron boundaries. The predicted SIPA-1 protein is highly homologous to the mouse protein, particularly in the region of the GAP-related domain at the amino terminus and the leucine zipper at the carboxy terminus. It is widely expressed, including in fetal tissues, but is most highly expressed in lymphoid organs. During the course of cloning SIPA-1, the MEN1 gene was identified, thus excluding human SIPA-1 as a candidate for this disease.