The cyanobacterial origin and vertical transmission of the plastid tRNALeu group-I intron

We have surveyed the distribution and reconstructed the phylogeny of the group-I intron that is positioned in the anticodon loop of the tRNA^Leu gene in cyanobacteria and several plastid genomes. Southern-blot and PCR analyses showed that the tRNA^Leu intron is found in all 330 land plants that were examined. The intron was also found, and sequenced, in all but one of nine charophycean algae examined. Conversely, PCR analyses showed that the tRNA^Leu group-I intron is absent from the red, cryptophyte and haptophyte algae, although it is present in three members of the heterokont lineage. Phylogenetic analyses of the intron indicate that it was present in the cyanobacterial ancestor of the three primary plastid lineages, the Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta, and Glaucocystophyta. Its present-day distribution in plastids is consistent with a history of strictly vertical transmission, with no losses in land plants, several losses among green algae, and nearly pervasive loss in the Rhodophyta and its secondary derivatives. Received: 1 August / 22 September 1999     

Angiogenic and Cell Proliferating Action of the Natural Diarylnonanoids,Malabaricone B and Malabaricone C during Healing of Indomethacin-induced Gastric Ulceration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the plant phenolics, malabaricone B (mal B) and malabaricone C (mal C) in healing stomach ulcer by modulating angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Swiss albino mice, ulcerated with indomethacin (18 mg/kg, p. o., single dose) were treated up to 7 days with different doses of mal B or mal C. The healing capacities of the drugs and their effects on the angiogenic parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Maximum ulceration, observed on the 3rd day after indomethacin administration was effectively healed by mal B and mal C (each 10 mg/kg, p. o. x 3 days), the latter showing equivalent potency (~78% p < 0.001) as that of Omez (3 mg/kg, p. o. x 3 days) and misoprostol (10 mug/kg, p. o. x 3 days). Compared to the untreated mice, those treated with mal B or mal C respectively for 3 days increased the mucosal EGF level (139 and 178%, p < 0.001), the serum VEGF level (56%, p < 0.01 and 95%, p < 0.001) and microvessels formation (37%, p < 0.05 and 62%, p < 0.01), while reducing the serum endostatin level (37%, p < 0.05 and 61%, p < 0.01). The relative healing capacities of mal B and mal C correlated well with their respective abilities to modulate the angiogenic factors. The healing by Omez and misoprostol was not due to improved angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: The drugs, mal B and mal C could effectively heal indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration in mice by promoting angiogenesis.     

Healing properties of malabaricone B and malabaricone C, against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration and mechanism of action

The healing activity of malabaricone B and malabaricone C, the major antioxidant constituents of the spice Myristica malabarica against the indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in mice has been studied. The histological indices revealed maximum ulceration on the 3rd day after indomethacin administration, which was effectively healed by malabaricone B, malabaricone C (each 10 mg/kg body weight/day) and omeprazole (3 mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 days. Compared to the untreated ulcerated mice, treatment with malabaricone B, malabaricone C and omeprazole reduced the ulcer indices by 60.3% (P<0.01), 88.4% and 86.1% respectively (P<0.001). All the test samples accelerated ulcer healing than observed in natural recovery even after 7 days. Stomach ulceration reduced the total antioxidant status of plasma by 41% (P<0.05), which was significantly increased by malabaricone B (36%, P<0.01), malabaricone C (61%, P<0.001) and omeprazole (53%, P<0.001). Compared to the ulcerated untreated mice, those treated with malabaricone B reduced the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls by 17% and approximately 34% respectively (P<0.05), while malabaricone C and omeprazole reduced the parameters almost equally (approximately 30%, P<0.01, and approximately 40%, P<0.01 respectively). Likewise, all the test samples reduced the oxidation of protein and non-protein thiols significantly (P<0.05). The antioxidant activity of the test samples could partly account their healing capacities. However, the differential potency of them was explainable by considering their relative abilities to modulate mucin secretion, PGE(2) synthesis and expression of EGF receptor and COX isoforms, malabaricone C being most effective in controlling all these factors.     

Interleukin-17F and interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms in Asian Indian patients with Takayasu arteritis

Objectives

To assess genetic association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding T-helper cytokines and Takayasu Arteritis (TA) susceptibility in Asian Indian population.

Paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis with symptomatic seizures secondary to hypoglycemia caused by insulinoma

Neurological syndromes are not an uncommon presentation with insulinomas. Recurrent hypoglycemia associated with it can present with a variety of neurological symptoms that may include disturbances of consciousness, seizures, stroke-like presentation, movement disorder, dementia and chronic neuropathy. The myriad of presentations, resemblance with other neurological conditions and episodic nature often lead to misdiagnosis and a delay in definitive treatment. Rare cases of insulinoma presenting as combination of abnormal movements have been described. We report a patient who presented with both hypoglycemia induced symptomatic seizures and paroxysmal non-kinesiogenic dystonic choreoathetosis. Insulinoma is a potentially treatable disorder and early definitive intervention can prevent long term neurological disability in patients.     

Byssinosis and tuberculosis amongst “home-based” powerloom workers in Madhya Pradesh State,India

BackgroundByssinosis is an occupational lung disease observed among workers exposed to cotton, flax, and hemp dust. The severity and extent of Byssinosis are well recognised in the high-income countries and control measures have been implemented to prevent the disease. In India, there are conflicting evidence on burden estimation of the disease, followed by inadequate prevention and control of Byssinosis.Design/methodsWe did a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of Byssinosis in “home-based” power-loom workers in Mominpura, an administrative ward of Burhanpur Municipality with 2800 population in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. 290 adults working from “home-based” power loom units were randomly selected, profiled and screened for Byssinosis like symptoms with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and simple hand-held peak expiratory flow monitor. For epidemiological purposes the symptoms were classified based on Schilling's classification. Chest x-rays were done for selected subjects. Sputum smear microscopy for detecting TB was done for those who had Byssinosis like symptoms.ResultsPrevalence of Byssinosis among “home based” powerloom workers was found to be 98% [n = 283, 95 CI (95.65–98.96)]. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was reduced in 44% (n = 124), of which 81 (29%) had more than 50% PEFR reduction, and of these, 69 (29%) were in early stage of Byssinosis (Grade 0.5). 11% of study participants who had Byssinosis like symptoms, also had TB.ConclusionsByssinosis is highly prevalent in “home-based” power loom units in Madhya Pradesh. Adequate advocacy on awareness and prevention; prompt diagnosis and linkages to treatment services in “home-based” power loom units are urgently required to address Byssinosis at an early disease stage.     

Gastroprotective properties of Myristica malabarica against indometacin-induced stomach ulceration: a mechanistic exploration

The healing activity of the methanol extract of the spice rampatri, Myristica malabarica, (RM) and omeprazole against indometacin-induced stomach ulceration has been studied in a mouse model. Treatment with RM (40 mg kg(-1) per day) and omeprazole (3 mg kg(-1) per day) for 3 days could effectively heal the stomach ulceration, as revealed from the ulcer indices and histopathological studies. Compared with the ulcerated group, treatment with RM and omeprazole for 3 days reduced the macroscopic damage score by approximately 72% and 76%, respectively (P<0.001), establishing the efficacy of RM. The extent of ulcer healing offered by 3 days' treatment with RM or omeprazole was better than that observed with natural recovery over 5 and 7 days (P<0.05). The healing capacities of RM and omeprazole could be attributed to their antioxidant activity as well as the ability to enhance the mucin content of the gastric tissues. Both drugs reduced lipid peroxidation (by 42-44%) and protein carbonyl content (by 34%), and augmented non-protein thiol levels beyond normal values. Furthermore, RM improved the mucin level beyond the normal value, while omeprazole restored it to near normalcy.