Pathology of clade 2.3.2.1 avian influenza virus (H5N1) infection in quails and ducks in Bangladesh

We performed pathological and molecular virological investigation of three outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a quail farm and two duck farms of Mymensingh and Netrokona districts of Bangladesh in 2011. HPAI viruses of subtype H5N1 were detected from all three outbreaks and phylogenetic analysis of HA gene sequence placed the viruses into clade 2.3.2.1. The outbreak in the quail farm was characterized by acute death with 100% mortality within two days. Marked haemorrhages and congestion with necrotic and inflammatory lesions in the respiratory tract, liver, pancreas and kidneys were the major gross and histopathological lesions. In the case of ducks, nervous signs were the remarkable clinical manifestations and the mortality was around 10%. No significant gross lesions were observed at necropsy. Non-purulent encephalitis with gliosis and neuronal degeneration was observed on histopathological examination. By immunohistochemistry, viral antigen could be detected in different organs of both quails and ducks. This study records varying clinical and pathological manifestations of HPAI in ducks and quails following natural infection with the same strain of the virus.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

• HPAIV of clade 2.3.2.1 was detected from clinical outbreaks in quails and ducks

• Sudden death with severe haemorrhages in various organs was found in quails

• Pronounced nervous signs with non-purulent encephalitis were observed in ducks

• Viral antigen could be localized in different organs by immunohistochemistry

     

Allergenicity and cross-reactivity of rye grass pollen extracts revealed by monoclonal antibodies

Using monoclonal antibodies the immunogenic and allergenic characteristics of rye Group I were redefined by SDS-PAGE analysis and immunoblotting. The purified rye Group I from NIH possesses a major component of approximately 34000 Da against which most of the sera from grass-sensitive patients and none from non-atopic volunteers contain specific IgE antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies to rye Group I were raised and used to purify the antigen and to verify the cross-reactivity between grass extracts. The 3 monoclonal antibodies studied recognized different components of timothy grass and 2 of them recognized kentucky june grass but none recognized components of ragweed extracts.     

Survival data and prognostic factors seen in Pakistani patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is common in Pakistan. An attempt has been made for the first time to look at the survival data and prognostic factors associated with esophageal cancer in this region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective review of 263 cases seen at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. Data analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Squamous cell carcinoma was noted in 81% of the cases, whereas adenocarcinoma was the second most common. At the time of diagnosis, early-stage disease was found in 25%, locally advanced in 41% and metastatic in 34% of all cases. Mean age at diagnosis was 56 years, with 59% males and 41% females. Survival data were available in 89 cases. Median survival was 7 months. On univariate analysis, the following factors were of prognostic significance: obstruction, histology, albumin level at diagnosis, age and platelet count. On multivariate analysis, three factors were found prognostic: presence or absence of obstruction, squamous cell carcinoma versus adenocarcinoma and platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with squamous cell carcinoma and absence of thrombocytopenia and obstruction had a better overall survival. However, this is a limited retrospective analysis; we therefore recommend that these prognostic factors be evaluated in larger studies.     

The Inclusion of a Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Responsive Sequence in Self-assembled Peptide-based Brain-Targeting Nanoparticles Improves the Efficiency of Nanoparticles Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier at Elevated MMP-9 Levels

This study investigated whether the inclusion of a matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) responsive sequence in self-assembled peptide-based brain-targeting nanoparticles (NPs) would enhance the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration when MMP-9 levels are elevated both in the brain and blood circulation. Brain-targeting peptides were conjugated at the N-terminus to MMP-9-responsive peptides, and these were conjugated at the N-terminus to lipid moiety (cholesteryl chloroformate or palmitic acid). Two constructs did not have MMP-9-responsive peptides. NPs were characterised for size, charge, critical micelle concentration, toxicity, blood compatibility, neural cell uptake, release profiles, and in vitro BBB permeability simulating normal or elevated MMP-9 levels. The inclusion of MMP-9-sensitive sequences did not improve the release of a model drug in the presence of active MMP-9 from NPs compared to distilled water. ¹⁹F NMR studies suggested the burial of MMP-9-sensitive sequences inside the NPs making them inaccessible to MMP-9. Only cholesterol-GGGCKAPETALC (responsive to MMP-9) NPs showed <5% haemolysis, <1 pg/mL release of IL-1β at 500 μg/mL from THP1 cells, with 70.75 ± 5.78% of NPs crossing the BBB at 24 h in presence of active MMP-9. In conclusion, brain-targeting NPs showed higher transport across the BBB model when MMP-9 levels were elevated and the brain-targeting ligand was responsive to MMP-9.     

Review on carbonaceous materials and metal composites in deformable electrodes for flexible lithium-ion batteries

With the rapid propagation of flexible electronic devices, flexible lithium-ion batteries (FLIBs) are emerging as the most promising energy supplier among all of the energy storage devices owing to their high energy and power densities with good cycling stability. As a key component of FLIBs, to date, researchers have tried to develop newly designed high-performance electrochemically and mechanically stable pliable electrodes. To synthesize better quality flexible electrodes, based on high conductivity and mechanical strength of carbonaceous materials and metals, several research studies have been conducted. Despite both materials-based electrodes demonstrating excellent electrochemical and mechanical performances in the laboratory experimental process, they cannot meet the expected demands of stable flexible electrodes with high energy density. After all, various significant issues associated with them need to be overcome, for instance, poor electrochemical performance, the rapid decay of the electrode architecture during deformation, and complicated as well as costly production processes thus limiting their expansive applications. Herein, the recent progression in the exploration of carbonaceous materials and metals based flexible electrode materials are summarized and discussed, with special focus on determining their relative electrochemical performance and structural stability based on recent advancement. Major factors for the future advancement of FLIBs in this field are also discussed.

With the rapid propagation of flexible electronic devices, flexible lithium-ion batteries are emerging as the most promising energy supplier among all of the energy storage devices due to high energy and power densities with good cycling stability.     

Anti‐obesity effect of plant diterpenes and their derivatives: A review

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat is accumulated by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. Obesity increases the risk of various diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and depression. This review focuses on most recent reports pertaining to the antiobesity activity of plant‐derived diterpenes in different databases. For this, a search (until August 2019) was conducted in the PubMed and Science Direct databases with the following keywords: “plant diterpenes” or “plant diterpenoids” paired with “obesity” or “antiobesity effects.” Overall, 729 references that used the aforementioned keywords were selected, among which 34 articles have been included in this review. Results from this search suggest that a number of diterpenes and their derivatives have been found to exert antiobesity effects through various mechanisms, such as overweight reduction or modification of body mass index, protein‐tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition, lipase activity inhibition, antiadipogenesis effect, among others. Carnosic acid, carnosol and the derivatives of abietic acid, steviol, and andrographolide are examples of important antiobesity diterpenes and their derivatives. Of note, plant‐derived diterpenes may be potential candidates for managing obesity and obesity‐related diseases and disorders in human and other animals.     

Suitability of sugar alcohols as antidiabetic supplements: A review

The major goals in the management of diabetes are to maintain optimum control of high blood glucose level or hyperglycemia. Dietary modification is one of the most recommended treatment modalities for diabetic patients. The use of foods sweetened with sugar alcohols (also known as polyols) such as xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt and erythritol has brought an escalating interest in the recent years since some sugar alcohols do not rise plasma glucose, as they are partially digested and metabolised. Diet composition and adequacy may be altered by replacing carbohydrates with sugar alcohols. It has been established that these polyols are appropriate sugar substitutes for a healthy lifestyle and diabetic foods. The present review focuses on the evidence supporting the use of sugar alcohols in the management of diabetes, by evaluating their physical and chemical properties, metabolism, absorption, glycemic and insulinemic responses. Although documentation on the glycaemic and insulinemic response of polyols is evident that these compounds have beneficial effects on the better management of hyperglycemia, the possible side effects associated with their normal or higher dosages warned their use according to the relevant Food & Drug Administration guidelines. For the same reason, future studies should also focus on the possible toxicity and side effects associated with the consumption of sugar alcohols in order to define their safety.