Glucose Transporters and Glucose Utilization in Rat Brain after Acute Ethanol Administration

In the normal adult brain, glucose provides 90% of the energy requirements as well as substrate for nucleic acid and lipid synthesis. In the present study, effects of ethanol on glucose transporters (GLUT) and glucose utilization were examined in rat brain. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 gms were given either ethanol 3 gm/kg BW or saline IP 4 hrs prior to the animal sacrifice and removal of the cerebral cortical tissue. The cortical plasma membranes analyzed by cytochalasin B binding assay showed a decrease in GLUT number but not in GLUT affinity in the ethanol treated rats as compared to the control rats. The estimated Ro values were 70 ± 8.9 Vs 91 ± 8.9 pmoles/mg protein (p < 0.05 N=4) and the estimated Kd values were 0.37 ± 0.03 and 0.28 ± 0.05 M (p: NS) in ethanol and control experiments respectively. Immunoblots of purified cerebral plasma membranes and low density microsomal fraction showed 17% and 71% decrease for GLUT1 and 54% and 21% (p<0.05 or less; n=6) for GLUT3 respectively in ethanol treated rats than in control animals. Immunofluoresence studies also showed reduction of GLUT1 immunoreactively in choroid plexus and cortical microvessels of ethanol treated rats as compared to control rats. The effect of ethanol on regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (CMR_Gle) was studied using [6-¹⁴C] glucose and showed statistically insignificant decrease in brain glucose utilization. These data suggest that ethanol invivo decrease GLUT number and protein content in rat cerebral cortex     

Effects of neutralization of luteinizing hormone on corpus luteum function and cyclicity in Macaca fascicularis

The primate corpus luteum (including the human) is thought to require continuous exposure to LH for normal progesterone production and menstrual cyclicity. Recently, normal luteal function was reported in rhesus monkeys after postovulatory hypophysectomy or treatment with an antagonist to GnRH. We studied the effects of neutralization of LH by specific antiserum in the fascicularis monkey. A potent antiserum to ovine LH, which cross-reacted with monkey pituitary extract, was produced in rabbits; this antiserum was administered daily to cycling monkeys during the midluteal phase. The pretreatment cycle duration was 32.4 +/- 1.7 (+/- SE) days, and luteal length was 16.5 +/- 0.8 days, with a midluteal progestin peak of 15.28 +/- 2.23 ng/ml. LH antiserum treatment resulted in a precipitous fall in serum progestin within 24 h, which remained low for the remainder of the cycle. All treated monkeys had premature menstrual bleeding, with mean cycle length shortened to 22.8 +/- 1.6 days (P less than 0.0005). These results confirm that the continuous presence of LH is essential for maintenance of corpus luteum function in this species of primate.     

Infection with hepatitis E virus in kidney transplant recipients in southeastern France

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging cause of acute hepatitis in Europe, particularly in southern France, and HEV is a new causative agent of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in immunocompromised patients. However, the data regarding HEV infection after kidney transplantation are still scarce with respect to the clinical issues that have been raised, and no study has specifically focused on kidney transplant recipients. This study described the clinical features and outcomes of HEV infections in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients living in southeastern France. The epidemiological, clinical, and virological characteristics of HEV infections diagnosed by PCR over a 53‐month period were retrospectively analyzed in a cohort of 1,350 kidney transplant recipients monitored at the Marseille University Hospital. Sixteen HEV infections were diagnosed, all of which were autochthonous and involved genotype 3 viruses (HEV‐3). Chronic infections occurred in 80% of these patients and resolved in half of the cases after a median time of 39 months. The rate of HEV clearance was 54% after a decrease in the dose of immunosuppressants. One patient developed liver cirrhosis 14 months after infection and experienced acute rejection after a decrease in the dose of immunosuppressants. Autochthonous HEV‐3 infections in kidney transplant recipients progress to chronicity in most cases and might be complicated by early liver cirrhosis. Chronic HEV infection can resolve following the reduction of immunosuppressive therapy, but ribavirin may be required if reduction of the immunosuppressant dose is not associated with HEV clearance or is inappropriate for the patient management. J. Med. Virol. 85:462–471, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Proteolytic activity of Plasmodium falciparum subtilisin-like protease 3 on parasite profilin,a multifunctional protein

Subtilisin-like proteases of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (PfSUB1, 2 and 3) are expressed at late asexual blood stages. PfSUB1 and 2 are considered important drug targets due to their essentiality for parasite blood stages and role in merozoite egress and invasion of erythrocytes. We have earlier shown the in vitro serine protease activity of PfSUB3 and its localization at asexual blood stages. In this study, we attempted to identify the biological substrate(s) of PfSUB3 and found parasite profilin (PfPRF) as a substrate of the protease. Eukaryotic profilins are multifunctional proteins with primary role in regulation of actin filament assembly. PfPRF possesses biochemical features of eukaryotic profilins and its rodent ortholog is essential in blood stages. Profilin from related apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (TgPRF) is known to be involved in parasite motility, host cell invasion, active egress from host cell, immune evasion and virulence in mice. In this study, mature PfSUB3 proteolysed recombinant PfPRF in a dose-dependent manner in in vitro assays. Recombinant PfPRF was assessed for its proinflammatory activity and found to induce high level of TNF-α and low but significant level of IL-12 from mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Proteolysis of PfPRF by PfSUB3 is suggestive of the probable role of the protease in the processes of motility, virulence and immune evasion.     

Complete genome sequence analysis of Japanese encephalitis virus isolated from a horse in India

The complete genome of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain JEV/eq/India/H225/2009(H225), isolated from an infected horse in India, was sequenced and compared to previously published JEV genomes. H225 genome was 10,977-nucleotides long, comprising a single ORF of 10,299-nucleotides, a 5′-UTR of 95 nucleotides and a 3′-UTR of 582 nucleotides. The H225 genome showed high levels of sequence identity with 47 fully sequenced JEV genomes, ranging from 99.3 % to 75.5 % for nucleotides and 99.2 % to 91.5 % for amino acid sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the full-length sequence indicated that the H225 strain belongs to genotype III and is closely related to the Indian JEV strain Vellore P20778. A comparison of amino acids associated with neurovirulence in the E proteins and non-structural proteins of known virulent and attenuated JEV strains suggested H225 to be a highly virulent strain. This is the first report of whole-genome sequencing of a genotype III JEV genome isolated from equines.     

Long-COVID postural tachycardia syndrome: an American Autonomic Society statement

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has had a devastating effect on the health and economy of much of human civilization. While the acute impacts of COVID-19 were the initial focus of concern, it is becoming clear that in the wake of COVID-19, many patients are developing chronic symptoms that have been called Long-COVID. Some of the symptoms and signs include those of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Understanding and managing long-COVID POTS will require a significant infusion of health care resources and a significant additional research investment. In this document from the American Autonomic Society, we outline the scope of the problem, and the resources and research needed to properly address the impact of Long-COVID POTS.

     

Two cases of asystolic cardiac arrests managed with therapeutic hypothermia

Poor neurological outcome is a common sequel of prolonged cardiac arrest. Although Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH) for neuroprotection has been a subject for research for over Half a century, its use has been limited because of many controversies and lack of clear guidelines. However for over two decades there has been a revival of interest in mild therapeutic hypothermia (32-34°C) for neuroprotection. However its use after primary asystolic cardiac arrest has been questioned.Herein presenting two cases of prolonged asystolic arrest (39 minutes and 25 minutes); where therapeutic hypothermia was successfully used in following prolonged cardio pulmonary resuscitation. On patients who were in deep coma after resuscitation, TH was applied for 24 hours as per institutional protocol with full neurological recovery in both the cases. Therapeutic hypothermia might have a potential role in even in non-shockable arrests and should be considered in every successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation with poor neurological status.     

Association between high vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration and clinical outcomes in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia - A retrospective cohort study

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - The purpose of this study is to determine the role of high (≥ 1.5 mg/L) vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration...     

A novel CAD/CAM resin composite block with high mechanical properties

ObjectiveTo determine the mechanical properties of a newly-developed CAD/CAM resin composite block and compare with other resin composite blocks and a polymer-infiltrated ceramic block.MethodsExperimental composite block was formulated by our proprietary resin and filler technologies and cured via Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP). Bar-shaped specimens (1 × 4×12 ? 13 mm, n = 10) for flexural strength, flexural modulus and modulus of resilience were sectioned from block materials and measured in accordance to modified ISO-6872. Cylinder specimens for compressive strength (2 × 4 mm, n = 8) and for diametral tensile strength (6 × 3 mm, n = 8) were milled from the block materials and tested according to ASTM-D695 and ANSI/ADA-Specification #27, respectively. Block specimens (5 mm, n = 3) for Vickers hardness were polished and measured for five indentations on each specimen. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (p ≤ 0.05).ResultsExperimental composite block showed higher or significantly higher flexural strength, flexural modulus, modulus of resilience, compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and Vickers hardness than the other commercially available block materials except Vita Enamic for flexural modulus and hardness and Cerasmart for modulus of resilience. Some positive correlations were observed among the different mechanical properties.SignificanceNew composite block exhibited higher mechanical properties as compared to commercially available composite block materials. Superior mechanical properties for resin composite block materials were obtained by composite and curing processing technologies. Resin composite blocks with higher mechanical properties are good options for the fabrication of CAD/CAM indirect restorations.     

Electrochemical performance of nano-sized LiFePO4-embedded 3D-cubic ordered mesoporous carbon and nitrogenous carbon composites

Herein, we report a single-step synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical performance of nano-sized LiFePO₄ (LFP)-embedded 3D-cubic mesoporous carbon (CSI-809) and nitrogenous carbon (MNC-859) composites. Furthermore, in order to investigate the effects of both CSI-809 and MNC-859 on the electrochemical characteristics of LFP, a systematic study was performed on the morphology and microstructure of the composites, viz., LFP/CSI-809 and LFP/MNC-859, using XRD, FE-SEM, FT-Raman, and BET surface area analyses. Among these composites, LFP/MNC-859 exhibited better electrochemical performance with higher specific capacity and rate capability as compared to those of LFP/CSI-809. In addition, even after 100 cycles, LFP/MNC-859 retained 97% of its initial discharge capacity at 1C rate. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the nano-sized LFP-embedded MNC-859 can be attributed to the conductive nitrogenous carbon and mesoporosity, which facilitate electrolyte diffusion, and improved conductivity of the advanced LFP-nitrogenous porous carbon matrix.

Nano-sized LiFePO₄-embedded nitrogenous ordered mesoporous carbon composite cathode facilitate electronic conductivity and significantly enhances Li-ion diffusion and retains 97% of the initial discharge capacity at 1C rate even after 100 cycles.