Strain-specific requirement for eosinophils in the recruitment of T cells to the lung during the development of allergic asthma

Eosinophils have been implicated as playing a major role in allergic airway responses. However, the importance of these cells to the development of this disease has remained ambiguous despite many studies, partly because of lack of appropriate model systems. In this study, using transgenic murine models, we more clearly delineate a role for eosinophils in asthma. We report that, in contrast to results obtained on a BALB/c background, eosinophil-deficient C57BL/6 Delta dblGATA mice (eosinophil-null mice via the Delta DblGATA1 mutation) have reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, and cytokine production of interleukin (IL)-4, -5, and -13 in ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation. This was caused by reduced T cell recruitment into the lung, as these mouse lungs had reduced expression of CCL7/MCP-3, CC11/eotaxin-1, and CCL24/eotaxin-2. Transferring eosinophils into these eosinophil-deficient mice and, more importantly, delivery of CCL11/eotaxin-1 into the lung during the development of this disease rescued lung T cell infiltration and airway inflammation when delivered together with allergen. These studies indicate that on the C57BL/6 background, eosinophils are integral to the development of airway allergic responses by modulating chemokine and/or cytokine production in the lung, leading to T cell recruitment.     

Signs and symptoms predictive of respiratory failure in patients with foodborne botulism in Thailand

We conducted a clinical study of 137 patients with home-canned bamboo shoot botulism at Nan Hospital, northern Thailand. The median age of the patients was 44 years (range = 14-74 years) and 36.2% were male. The median incubation period was 2 days (range = 1-8 days). Forty-three patients (31.4%) developed respiratory failure, but there were no deaths. Patients who did not have either nausea or vomiting and did not have urinary retention that required Foley catheterization was less likely to develop respiratory failure. This clinical predictor rule had a sensitivity of 75.5% and a specificity of 90.7%. The clinical syndrome most predictive of respiratory failure was nausea or vomiting and any cranial neuropathy with urinary retention or difficulty swallowing. This clinical syndrome had a sensitivity of 69.8% and a specificity of 93.6%. These clinical characteristics could help triage large numbers of patient in the event of a future outbreak.     

Synthesis and QSAR modeling 1-[3-methyl-2-(aryldiazenyl)-2H-aziren-2-yl]ethanones as potential antibacterial agents

The present communication deals with the synthesis of a series of 1-[3-methyl-2-(aryldiazenyl)-2H-aziren-2-yl]ethanones. The compounds were synthesized in excellent yields (70–80 %), and the structures were established on the basis of consistent IR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analysis data. The purity has been ascertained by chromatographic resolution using hexane–ethyl acetate (6:4 v/v) as binary eluent. All the compounds have been tested for their antimicrobial activity against a representative panel of bacteria i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas diminuta, and Staphylococcus aureus using Chloramphenicol as reference drug. All the synthesized compounds were found to exhibit profound antimicrobial activity.     

Forearm gangrene following distraction injury at elbow in a neonate

Gangrene of limbs in newborn is extremely rare. A number of aetiological factors may account for such type of situation. We describe herewith a case of gangrene of forearm in newborn following distraction injury to the physis of elbow and vessels of forearm by excessive pull on upper limb during difficult delivery.     

Development and organization of the hypophysiotropic hypothalamus driving the pituitary-gonadal axis in the rhesus monkey.

The purpose of the present review is to describe, with particular emphasis on the rhesus monkey, the ontogeny and functional organisation of the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator. Control of pituitary-gonadal axis in higher primates is provided by a group of some 1,000 GnRH neurons that are diffusely distributed throughout the hypothalamus. After synthesis of a prehormone and formation of the mature decapeptide, GnRH is released in the hypophysial portal circulation and stimulates FSH and LH production.     

Corrigendum to "Role of remote sensing,geographic bioinformatics system and bioinformatics in kala-azar epidemiology" [originally published as J Biomed Res 2011,25(6):373-384;doi:10.1016/S1674-8301(11)60050-X]

The author would like to inform the readers that the correct form of title "Role of remote sensing, geographic bioinformatics system and bioinformatics in kala-azar epidemiology",content in abstract "The computational approaches like remote sensing,geographic information system(GIS) and