Immunogenicity and safety of four different doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b-tetanus toxoid conjugated vaccine, combined with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP-Hib), in Indonesian infants

Widespread use of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugated vaccine in industrialized countries has resulted in a dramatic decline in the incidence of invasive Hib diseases, but the vaccine's cost has prevented its inclusion in basic immunization programs in developing countries. To overcome this problem, combination with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine or reduction in the dose of Hib vaccine has been proposed. To evaluate the immunogenicity and adverse reactions from lower doses of Hib-polyribosylphosphate (PRP) conjugated with tetanus toxoid (PRP-T), a double-blind study was conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia, and its suburbs. A total of 1048 infants 6 weeks to 6 months of age received three doses of DTP vaccine combined with the usual 10 microg dose or with a reduced dose of 5, 2.5 or 1.25 microg of PRP-T at two-monthly intervals. Antibodies were measured prior to the first dose and 4-6 weeks following the third dose. Adverse reactions were similar among all four groups. The only significant difference was a higher rate of irritability (p<0.02) and of temperature elevation >38 degrees C (p<0.009) after doses 1 and 2 in the lowest dose group (1.25 microg PRP-T) compared to the other groups. All participants tested had a 4-fold increase in antibodies against all DTP antigens. In addition, after a fourth booster dose of Hib, 99.6% of infants produced >or=0.15 microg/ml of antibody to Hib-PRP, and 96.4% showed levels >or=1.0 microg/ml after primary immunization, level that correlate with short- and long-term immunity, respectively. Antibody titers to the PRP antigen showed no significant differences among dosage groups with the exception of the 5.0 microg group, which had a significantly higher GMC than the 1.25 microg group (p<0.012). This study demonstrates that primary vaccination with half, one-fourth, or one-eighth of the usual dose of PRP-T, combined with DTP vaccine, produces protective immune responses, and has side effects that are comparable to DTP vaccination alone. In these lower dosages, PRP-T conjugate vaccine can lower vaccine costs to a level that is affordable for infant immunization programs in developing countries.     

Nanocomposite membranes of polybenzimidazole and amine-functionalized carbon nanofibers for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Carbon nanofibers functionalized with aminobenzoyl groups (CNF–aminobenzoyl) were prepared via direct Friedel–Crafts acylation in polyphosphoric acid. The functionalization of CNFs was characterized using XPS, FTIR, TGA, and Raman analyses. Hexafluoroisopropylidene-containing polybenzimidazole (6FPBI) composite membranes containing pristine CNFs or CNF–aminobenzoyl were prepared using solvent-assisted dispersion and solvent-casting methods. In this work, the influence of the incorporation of functionalized CNFs on several physicochemical properties of the 6FPBI nanocomposite membranes, including their thermal stability, mechanical strength, and acid doping level, was studied. The results showed that CNF–aminobenzoyl provided better mechanical reinforcement for the nanocomposite membrane, compared to pristine CNF. The SEM observation confirmed the good compatibility between the CNF–aminobenzoyl fillers and the 6FPBI matrix. For the 0.3 wt% CNF–aminobenzoyl/6FPBI composite membrane, the tensile stress was increased by 12% to be 78.9 MPa (as compared to the 6FPBI membrane), the acid doping level was improved to 12.0, and the proton conductivity at 160 °C was measured above 0.2 S cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the fuel cell performance of the membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA) for each nanocomposite membrane was evaluated. The maximum power density at 160 °C was found up to 461 mW cm⁻² for the MEA based on the 0.3 wt% CNF–aminobenzoyl/6FPBI composite membrane.

Carbon nanofibers functionalized with aminobenzoyl groups (CNF–aminobenzoyl) were prepared via direct Friedel–Crafts acylation in polyphosphoric acid.     

Association between C677T/MTHFR genotype and homocysteine concentration in a Kazakh population

We recently suggested that due to insufficient intake of vegetables, low folate status and mild homocysteinemia might exist in the Kazakh population. To clarify the determinants of homocysteine concentrations among this population, we determined concentrations of serum folate, albumin, creatinine, vitamin B12, and the C677T/ MTHFR genotype in 110 Kazakh individuals and compared these with plasma total homocysteine. In Kazakh, after adjustment for age and sex, folate was correlated with plasma total homocysteine, whereas concentrations in those with the TT genotype was almost twice as high as in those with the CC and CT genotypes (19.7+/-1.8 micromol/L vs. 10.7+/-0.5 micromol/L, p<0.001). Our results suggest that the C677T/MTHFR genotype is associated with homocysteine concentrations in this population and this association might be affected by other factors, such as folate status.     

Development of the Kazakhstan Y-chromosome haplotype reference database: analysis of 27 Y-STR in Kazakh population

To improve available databases of forensic interest, all Y-STR haplotypes from Kazakh population were presented in this study. The reference database accumulated almost 3650 samples from academic and citizen science. Additionally, 27 Y-STR from Yfiler Plus System were first analyzed in 300 males from Kazakh (Qazaq) populations residing in Kazakhstan. The data is available in the YHDR under accession numbers YA004316 and YA004322. A total of 270 unique haplotypes were observed. Discrimination capacity was 90%. Obtained Y-STR haplotypes exhibited a high intra-population diversity. Analysis of pairwise genetic distances showed lowest R_ST values from Uighur and Mongolian populations.

     

Association of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the eighth chromosome with remodeling of the myocardium and carotid arteries in the Kazakh population

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the key health issues in Kazakhstan. According to the WHO, the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) was 28% in males and 25% in females in 2015, which puts up vastly to premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.The search for genetic features of target organ lesions processes in AH is relevant. The goal of this study was to search for the genetic markers of myocardial remodeling (MR) and carotid artery remodeling (CAR).A total of 866 hypertensive individuals were recruited in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Their blood was genotyped for 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the eighth chromosome to find an association with remodeling. The analysis was carried out in the group pairs (control and CAR, control and MR, and control and CAR and MR). The genotype–phenotype association was assessed using 5 different inheritance models: dominant, codominant, recessive, overdominant, and log-additive.Statistically significant results were found for 3 SNPs (rs2407103, rs11775334, rs2071518) which minor alleles enlarged risks of MR and CAR in AH in the studied population. Three polymorphisms have previously been associated with АН and some other traits like pulse pressure and blood glucose in other ethnic populations: rs2407103 – in Afro-American population, rs11775334 – in the European population, rs2071518 is well studied in various ethnic populations (European, South Asian, Afro-American, Hispanic, East Asian).     

阿尔泰瑞香醇化学成分提物及其对癌细胞凋亡的诱导作用

目的检测阿尔泰瑞香可能含有的化学成分,测定阿尔泰瑞香总酚含量,研究阿尔泰瑞香对食管癌Eca-109细胞凋亡的影响。方法采用不同化学定性方法对阿尔泰瑞香中化学成分进行研究;以没食子酸为对照品,采用福林酚比色法测定了总酚含量;以Annexin V-FITC/PI双标记流式细胞术检测肿瘤细胞凋亡情况。结果阿尔泰瑞香含有黄酮、香豆素、糖、生物碱、酚等化学成分。阿尔泰瑞香乙醇提取物(DA-Et)中总酚含量为159.78 mg/g,测定方法平均回收率为99.4%~108.3%,精密度相对标准偏差为2.04%。DA-Et处理的食管癌细胞凋亡率为(29.633±1.779)%。结论本研究为阿尔泰瑞香质量标准的提升与合理应用提供了参考,为深入研究阿尔泰瑞香的活性成分提供了依据。     

Diarrhoea episodes and treatment-seeking behaviour in a slum area of North Jakarta, Indonesia

Visits to household during a census in an impoverished area of north Jakarta were used for exploring the four-week prevalence of diarrhoea, factors associated with episodes of diarrhoea, and the patterns of healthcare use. For 160,261 urban slum-dwellers, information was collected on the socioeconomic status of the household and on diarrhoea episodes of individual household residents in the preceding four weeks. In households with a reported case of diarrhoea, the household head was asked which form of healthcare was used first. In total, 8,074 individuals (5%)--13% of children aged less than five years and 4% of adults--had a diarrhoea episode in the preceding four weeks. The two strongest factors associated with a history of diarrhoea were a diarrhoea episode in another household member in the four weeks preceding the interview (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 11.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.4-11.8) and age less than five years (adjusted OR 3.4; 95% CI 3.2-3.5). Of the 8,074 diarrhoea cases, 1,969 (25%) treated themselves, 1,822 (23%) visited a public-health centre (PHC), 1,462 (18%) visited a private practitioner or a private clinic, 1,318 (16%) presented at a hospital, 753 (9%) bought drugs from a drug vendor, and 750 (9%) used other healthcare providers, such as belian (traditional healers). Children with diarrhoea were most often brought to a PHC, a private clinic, or a hospital for treatment. Compared to children, adults with diarrhoea were more likely to treat themselves. Individuals from households in the lowest-income group were significantly more likely to attend a PHC for treatment of diarrhoea compared to individuals from households in the middle- and higher-income groups.     

雌二醇对兔离体血管条收缩及钙流动的影响

用离体兔胸主动脉条标本观察雌二醇对NE、KCL和CaCl_2引起血管收缩的量—效曲线的影响,发现大剂量Est使NE、KCL和CaCl_2的量—效曲线非平行右移,最大反应均轻度压低IC_(50),分别为250umol.L~(-1)和220umol.L~(-1);”提示Est的扩张血管作用,可能与抑制血管平滑肌膜Ca~(++)内流内关。     

Mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal profile of the Kazakh population from East Kazakhstan

Aim

To study the genetic relationship of Kazakhs from East Kazakhstan to other Eurasian populations by examining paternal and maternal DNA lineages.

Methods

Whole blood samples were collected in 2010 from 160 unrelated healthy Kazakhs residing in East Kazakhstan. Genomic DNA was extracted with Wizard® genomic DNA Purification Kit. Nucleotide sequence of hypervariable segment I of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was determined and analyzed. Seventeen Y-short tandem repeat (STR) loci were studied in 67 samples with the AmpFiSTR Y-filer PCR Amplification Kit. In addition, mtDNA data for 2701 individuals and Y-STR data for 677 individuals were retrieved from the literature for comparison.

Results

There was a high degree of genetic differentiation on the level of mitochondrial DNA. The majority of maternal lineages belonged to haplogroups common in Central Asia. In contrast, Y-STR data showed very low genetic diversity, with the relative frequency of the predominant haplotype of 0.612.

Conclusion

The results revealed different migration patterns in the population sample, showing there had been more migration among women. mtDNA genetic diversity in this population was equivalent to that in other Central Asian populations. Genetic evidence suggests the existence of a single paternal founder lineage in the population of East Kazakhstan, which is consistent with verbal genealogical data of the local tribes.In terms of population genetics, Central Asia is one of the least studied regions in the world. The studies conducted in the region, based on scarce genetic data, indicate that the Central Asia population is a mix of Eastern and Western populations (1,2). Kazakhstan is a vast country, which has throughout history been inhabited by different nomadic tribes such as the Argyn, Dughlat, Jalayir, Kerei, Kipchak, Madjar, Naiman, and others (3). The Kazakh ethnic group was formed in the 15th century under a huge infulence of the Mongol Empire (4). We expected the genetic profile of Kazakhs to be heterogeneous because of the different tribes and ethnicities (5).The current study focused on the Kazakh population of the East Kazakhstan Province, because recently there have been many reports on the neighboring populations of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Altai regions. East Kazakhstan is populated by the Naiman tribe. Their genealogical narrative, “shezhire,” states that the Naiman people living in Tarbagatay region are descendants of one ancestor, named Toktar-kozha, who came from the territory of modern Uzbekistan and was a Sart by origin. Based on the data from “shezhire,” we formed a hypothesis of uniform paternal descent of the Naiman tribe. The aim of this study was to better understand the origins and differentiation of the Kazakh ethnic group and to investigate the genetic relationship between this population and other Eurasian populations.