Characterization of a polymorphic Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP) closely related to PIM of Theileria parva: implications for use in diagnostic tests and subunit vaccines

Theileria annulata is a tick-transmitted protozoan that causes tropical theileriosis, an often fatal leukoproliferative disorder of cattle. To characterize and identify parasite proteins suitable as diagnostic antigens and/or vaccine candidates, a cDNA clone encoding a macroschizont stage protein was isolated and characterized (here designated TaSP). The gene, present as a single copy within the parasite genome, is transcribed in the sporozoite and schizont stage and codes for a protein of about 315 amino acids, having a predicted molecular weight of 36 kDa. Allelic variants were found within single parasite isolates and between isolates originating from different geographical regions. The N-terminal part contains a predicted signal peptide and the C-terminal section encodes membrane-spanning regions. Comparison of a number of cDNA clones showed that both these sequence regions are conserved while the central region shows both size and amino acid sequence polymorphism. High identity of the N- and C-terminal regions with the polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) of Theileria parva (identity of 93%), the existence of a central polymorphic region and two short introns within genomic clones suggest that the presented gene/protein may be the T. annulata homologue of PIM. However, the central region of TaSP has no significant identity with PIM, contains no repetitive peptide motifs and is shorter, resulting in a lower molecular weight. The existence of the predicted secretion signal peptide and membrane spanning regions suggest that TaSP is located at the parasite membrane.     

Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for the recovery of phenolic compounds: effect of ionic liquids structure and process parameters

Water pollution is a severe and challenging issue threatening the sustainable development of human civilization. Besides other pollutants, waste fluid streams contain phenolic compounds. These have an adverse effect on the human health and marine ecosystem due to their toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic nature. Therefore, it is necessary to remove such phenolic pollutants from waste stream fluids prior to discharging to the environment. Different methods have been proposed to remove phenolic compounds from wastewater, including extraction using ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvent (DES), a class of organic salts having melting point below 100 °C and tunable physicochemical properties. The purpose of this review is to present the progress in utilizing ILs and DES for phenolic compound extraction from waste fluid streams. The effects of IL structural characteristics, such as anion type, cation type, alkyl chain length, and functional groups will be discussed. In addition, the impact of key process parameters such as pH, phenol concentration, phase ratio, and temperature will be also described. More importantly, several ideas for addressing the limitations of the treatment process and improving its efficiency and industrial viability will be presented. These ideas may form the basis for future studies on developing more effective IL-based processes for treating wastewaters contaminated with phenolic pollutants, to address a growing worldwide environmental problem.

Extraction of phenol from aqueous phase to ionic liquid phase.     

Bronchodilatory effect of Acorus calamus (Linn.) is mediated through multiple pathways

Aim of the study

This study was undertaken to provide a pharmacological basis for traditional use of Acorus calamus in airways disorders.

Materials and methods

Isolated guinea-pig trachea and atria were suspended in organ baths bubbled with carbogen and mechanisms were found using different parameters.

Results

In isolated guinea-pig tracheal segments, crude extract of Acorus calamus was more effective than carbachol in causing relaxation of high K⁺ (80 mM) precontractions, similar to verapamil, suggesting blockade of calcium channels. The n-hexane fraction was equipotent against both precontractions, similar to papaverine, while ethylacetate fraction was more potent against carbachol precontractions but had a negligible dilator effect against K⁺, similar to atropine and or rolipram. Pretreatment of tracheal preparations with n-hexane or ethylacetate fractions potentiated isoprenaline-induced inhibitory concentration-response curves, similar to papaverine or rolipram. Pretreatment of tracheal preparations with ethylacetate fraction caused a rightward parallel shift in carbachol response curve at lower concentration (0.003 mg/mL) similar to atropine and a non-parallel shift at higher concentrations (0.01 mg/mL), with reduction of maximum response, similar to rolipram. In isolated guinea-pig atrial preparations, crude extracts, its fractions and papaverine inhibited force and rate of contractions at higher concentrations than the smooth muscle while verapamil was equipotent.

Conclusion

These data indicate the presence of unique combination of airways relaxant constituents in crude extract of Acorus calamus, a papaverine-like dual inhibitor of calcium channels and phosphodiesterase in n-hexane fraction and a novel combination of anticholinergic, rolipram-like phosphodiesterase4 inhibitor in ethylacetate fraction and associated cardiac depressant effect, provide a pharmacological basis for traditional use of Acorus calamus in disorders of airways.     

Excess weight and precocious pubarche in children: alterations of the adrenocortical hormones.

In this paper we assess the qualitative and quantitative differences in adrenal function before and after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation between normal weight and overweight precocious pubarche (PP) patients. Twelve of the 22 PP patients had a normal body weight for height with linear growth and bone ages (BAs) that were appropriate for chronological age. The remaining 10 PP patients had body weights which were greater than 120% of ideal weight for height and body mass indices (BMIs), which were more than 125% of the ideal for age and sex. In six overweight patients, linear growth was accelerated and BAs were advanced beyond chronological age. All patients underwent an ACTH stimulation test where they received an intravenous bolus of 250 micrograms Cortrosyn. Blood samples were obtained at 0' and 60' for 17-OHProgesterone (17-OHP), 17-OHPregnenolone (17-OHPG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A-dione), and cortisol levels. Results of the baseline and stimulated adrenal hormones in the normal weight children were found to be within reference range for normal Tanner I children. In contrast, two of the 10 overweight children were suspected of having congenital adrenal hyperplasia [one with 21-hydroxylase (21-OHase) deficiency, another with 3-betahydroxysteroid (3 beta ol) deficiency]. These two children were indistinguishable in their linear growth rate and degree of skeletal maturation from the other overweight children. In both patients the BA/chronological age and BA/height age (HA) ratios were within two standard deviations of the mean for the overweight patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with Infrared Heat

One hundred seventy-eight patients having cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated by exposing the largest lesion once to a source of infrared heat. This treatment provokes an immune response in the patient and allows the lesions to disappear in approximately 5-6 weeks.     

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency presenting at birth

Summary Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency (McKusick 274270) is a clinically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder of pyrimidine metabolism. DPD is the enzyme that catalyses the first and the rate-limiting step in the catabolism of uracil, thymine and the analogue 5-fluorouracil. To date, more than 30 patients have been diagnosed with a complete enzyme deficiency. Here, we describe the fifth case with a complete DPD deficiency presenting at birth with severe neurological abnormalities. The patient was homozygous for the common splice-site mutation IVS14+1G > A.     

Prevalence of disability and handicaps in geriatric population in rural south India

Proportion of aged persons in India is increasing and is expected to be around 70 million by the end of the year 2000. The epidemiological consequences would be increase in the geriatric problems, particularly, impairments, disabilities and handicaps There are not many community-based studies using the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH). The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of disabled in the elderly population (aged above 60 years) in a district of south India using ICIDH classification.Thirty villages were selected using probability proportional to size linear systematic sampling (PPSLSS) from Villupuram health unit district in Tamilnadu in south India. One hundred and five households were selected from each selected village by using linear systematic sampling. A structured proforma was administered to 974 subjects to obtain information on disability as perceived by rural geriatric population.Visual disability was found to be the most important single preventable disability (56%). Only 33% of persons with visual disability wore spectacles. A decline in social interaction was reported.There was an urgent need to strengthen health care activities related to geriatric health care to improve the quality of life of the elderly population, including care of vision in particular.     

Immunoprophylaxis with DNA vaccination inhibits Th2-mediated responses and airway inflammation in mice sensitised with the major timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5b

DNA vaccination is discussed as having the potential of improving therapy of type I allergies. A mouse model was used to investigate the effect of DNA vaccination against sensitisation with the clinically relevant Phl p 5b major allergen from timothy grass pollen in an immunoprophylactic experimental setup. Pre-treating the mice with Phl p 5b-DNA-construct significantly inhibited the production of specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies and prevented the development of a lung pathology associated with inflammation. Thus, immunoprophylaxis with an expression vector containing the Phl p 5b sequence totally prevented the emergence of characteristics associated with type I allergy and chronic bronchitis.     

Molecular genetic characterization and subcellular localization of a putative<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Theileria annulata</Emphasis> membrane protein

A Theileria annulata protein (TaD) exhibiting an N-terminal signal sequence for endoplasmic reticulum membrane translocation and a conserved cysteine-rich region was isolated by screening the mRNA of a T. annulata-infected bovine lymphoblastoid cell line with degenerated primers directed against T. annulata-targeting sequences. The TaD-coding sequence was found to be most closely related to the genomic DNA sequence of T. parva (TIGR database, 72%) and the amino acid sequence of Plasmodium falciparum (41%), P. yoelii yoelii (38%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (36%). The TaD mRNA is expressed within the sporozoite, schizont and merozoite stages of the parasite, implying that it is constitutively transcribed throughout the parasites life cycle. Allelic variants were found between isolates originating from different geographical regions, however not affecting conserved cysteines. The open reading frame encoded a protein of 19.5 kDa and non-reducing SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated a homodimeric protein. Using confocal microscopy, the protein was found to be both located in the parasite cytoplasm and to colocalize with a transmembrane protein of the schizonts within infected cells.