Urban living and obesity: is it independent of its population and lifestyle characteristics?

Objectives Living in an urban area influences obesity. However, little is known about whether this relationship is truly independent of, or merely mediated through, the demographic, socio‐economic and lifestyle characteristics of urban populations. We aimed to identify and quantify the magnitude of this relationship in a Sri Lankan population. Methods Cross‐sectional study of adults aged 20–64 years representing the urban (n = 770) and rural (n = 630) populations, in the district of Colombo in 2004. Obesity was measured as a continuous variable using body mass index (BMI). Demographic, socio‐economic and lifestyle factors were assessed. Gender‐specific multivariable regression models were developed to quantify the independent effect of urban/ rural living and other variables on increased BMI. Results The BMI (mean; 95% confidence interval) differed significantly between urban (men: 23.3; 22.8–23.8; women: 24.2; 23.7–24.7) and rural (men: 22.3; 21.9–22.7; women: 23.2; 22.7–23.7) sectors (P < 0.01). The observed association remained stable independently of all other variables in the regression models among both men (coefficient = 0.64) and women (coefficient = 0.95). These coefficients equated to 2.2 kg weight for the average man and 1.7 kg for the average woman. Other independent associations of BMI were with income (coefficient = 1.74), marital status (1.48), meal size (1.53) and religion (1.20) among men, and with age (0.87), marital status (2.25) and physical activity (0.96) among women. Conclusions Urban living is associated with obesity independently of most other demographic, socio‐economic and lifestyle characteristics of the population. Targeting urban populations may be useful for consideration when developing strategies to reduce the prevalence of obesity.     

JBP2, a SWI2/SNF2-like protein, regulates de novo telomeric DNA glycosylation in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei

Synthesis of the modified thymine base, beta-d-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil or J, within telomeric DNA of Trypanosoma brucei correlates with the bloodstream form specific epigenetic silencing of telomeric variant surface glycoprotein genes involved in antigenic variation. In order to analyze the function of base J in the regulation of antigenic variation, we are characterizing the regulatory mechanism of J biosynthesis. We have recently proposed a model in which chromatin remodeling by a SWI2/SNF2-like protein (JBP2) regulates the developmental and de novo site-specific localization of J synthesis within bloodstream form trypanosome DNA. Consistent with this model, we now show that JBP2 (-/-) bloodstream form trypanosomes contain five-fold less base J and are unable to stimulate de novo J synthesis in newly generated telomeric arrays.     

Wuchereria bancrofti: detection of microfilariae in asymptomatic microfilaremic individuals with Setaria digitata antigens

A dot-ELISA for detection of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti in an endemic area was developed. This test can differentiate the endemic normals from the microfilaraemic asymptomatic individuals. Antigens of molecular weight 130 and 52 kDa of the cattle filaria worm Setaria digitata were used for this test. It was observed that these two antigens were also present in the serum of asymptomatic microfilaraemic individuals.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia bellirica</Emphasis> fruit extracts: in-vitro antibacterial activity against selected multidrug-resistant bacteria,radical scavenging activity and cytotoxicity study on BHK-21 cells

Background

Identification of novel sources for developing new antibiotics is imperative with the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The fruits of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn) Roxb., widely used in traditional medicine, were evaluated for antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity.

Methods

Twelve solvent extracts of T. bellirica fruits were prepared by direct aqueous extraction and sequential extraction with dichloromethane, methanol and water using Soxhlet, bottle-shaker and ultrasound sonicator methods. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was tested against 16 strains MDR bacteria—methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and MDR Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa—and 4 control organisms, using the cut-well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using an agar dilution method. The radical scavenging activity of six antibacterial extracts was screened against 2,2′-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and correlation was established between EC₅₀ (50% effective concentration) values and the total phenolic content (TPC). Cytotoxicity was determined for the most potent antibacterial extract on baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells by Tryphan Blue exclusion method. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance at significant level p?<?0.05 using “SigmaPlot 10” and “R 3.2.0” software.

Results

All aqueous and methanol extracts displayed antibacterial activity (MIC 0.25–4?mg/mL) against all strains of MRSA, MDR Acinetobacter spp. and MDR P. aeruginosa. The sequential aqueous extracts (MIC, 4?mg/mL) inhibited ESBL producing-E. coli. None of the extracts exhibited activity against MDR K. pneumoniae (MIC >?5?mg/mL). The sequential methanol extract (Soxhlet) recorded high antibacterial activity and the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀, 6.99?±?0.15?ppm) and TPC content (188.71?±?2.12 GAE mg/g).The IC₅₀ (50% inhibition concentration) values of the most potent antibacterial extract—the direct aqueous extract from reflux method—on BHK-21 cells were 2.62?±?0.06 and 1.45?±?0.08?mg/ml with 24 and 48?h exposure, respectively.

Conclusions

Results indicate that T. bellirica fruit is a potential source for developing broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs against MDR bacteria, which are non-toxic to mammalian cells and impart health benefits by high antioxidant activity.

     

Ultrastructure of the osteogenesis of acellular vertebral bone in the Japanese medaka,Oryzias latipes (teleostei,cyprinidontidae)

An ultrastructural study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the vertebrae of embryonic, larval, juvenile and mature medaka shows that each vertebra consists of a core of notochordal cells surrounded by a sheath of bone. The vertebral bone lacks either fully or partially embedded cells in the matrix throughout development. Bone matrix is secreted by a layer of cells that lies over the outer surface of the vertebral bone. During the early stages of osteogenesis, these cells secrete bone matrix all around themselves. However, because of the gradual flow of the newly synthesized bone matrix through intercellular spaces, matrix-producing cells do not become trapped in their own secretion. In later stages of osteogenesis, these cells secrete matrix only toward the already-deposited bone. This polarized matrix secretion allows the osteoblasts to stay always on the bone surface and never to become trapped in the matrix as osteocytes.     

Utilization of primary health care workers for early detection of oral cancer and precancer cases in Sri Lanka

Oral cancer presents a serious public health problem in south-east Asian countries. In Sri Lanka and India 35-40% of all cancers are reported to be oral cancers, which are curable if detected in the early stages. The idea that, in developing countries, one of the few practical approaches to early detection of these cases could be through the utilization of primary health care workers was tested in a field study carried out in Sri Lanka. In a control area the subjects with oral lesions were identified by medical/dental officers. In the study, 34 primary health care workers were able, alongside their routine duties, to examine the oral cavity of 28 295 subjects during a period of 52 weeks; 1220 subjects were detected with lesions needing re-examination. The performance of these primary health care workers was very satisfactory in terms of the number of cases detected and the accuracy of their diagnoses, which were verified by re-examination at a specially designated referral centre. The clinical diagnoses of the three categories of lesions detected were as follows: stage 1 lesions for observation (homogeneous or ulcerated leukoplakia), stage 2 lesions for investigation (speckled leukoplakia, erythroplakia, or submucous fibrosis), and stage 3 lesions for treatment (cancer). There was 89% correspondence between the stage 1-3 diagnoses by the health workers and the clinical diagnoses made at the referral centre. However, compliance by patients was low because only 50% of the cases detected in the field attended the referral centre. The cost-effectiveness of this approach to cancer control has been demonstrated.