Activation of murine dendritic cells and macrophages induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and the direct involvement of both cell types in the immune response to Salmonella has been identified. In this study we analysed the phenotypic and functional changes that take place in murine macrophages and DCs in response to live and heat-killed Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Both types of cell secreted proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in response to live and heat-killed salmonellae. Bacterial stimulation also resulted in up-regulation of costimulatory molecules on macrophages and DCs. The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules by macrophages and DCs was differentially regulated by interferon (IFN)-gamma and salmonellae. Live and heat-killed salmonellae as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibited the up-regulation of MHC class II expression induced by IFN-gamma on macrophages but not on DCs. Macrophages as well as DCs presented Salmonella-derived antigen to CD4 T cells, although DCs were much more efficient than macrophages at stimulating CD4 T-cell cytokine release. Macrophages are effective in the uptake and killing of bacteria whilst DCs specialize in antigen presentation. This study showed that the viability of salmonellae was not essential for activation of APCs but, unlike live bacteria, prolonged contact with heat-killed bacteria was necessary to obtain maximal expression of the activation markers studied.     

A juvenile filarial worm, Wuchereria bancrofti, extracted from the vitreous of the eye: the first report in the world literature

A live worm was extracted from the vitreous of the eye of a patient in Sri Lanka. Based on the details of its length, width, oesophagus and vulva it was identified as Ajuvenile female Wuchereria bancrofti.     

Regulation of the cardiac muscle ryanodine receptor by glutathione transferases

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are generally recognized for their role in phase II detoxification reactions. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that members of the GST family also have a diverse range of other functions that are, in general, unrelated to detoxification. One such action is a specific inhibition of the cardiac isoform of the ryanodine receptor (RyR2) intracellular Ca(2+) release channel. In this review, we compare functional and physical interactions between members of the GST family, including GSTO1-1, GSTA1-1, and GSTM2-2, with RyR2 and with the skeletal isoform of the ryanodine receptor (RyR1). The active part of the muscle-specific GSTM2-2 is localized to its nonenzymatic C-terminal α-helical bundle, centered around α-helix 6. The GSTM2-2 binding site is in divergent region 3 (DR3 region) of RyR2. The sequence differences between the DR3 regions of RyR1 and RyR2 explain the specificity of the GSTs for one isoform of the protein. GSTM2-2 is one of the few known endogenous inhibitors of the cardiac RyR and is likely to be important in maintaining low RyR2 activity during diastole. We discuss interactions between a nonenzymatic member of the GST structural family, the CLIC-2 (type 2 chloride intracellular channel) protein, which inhibits both RyR1 and RyR2. The possibility that the GST and CLIC2 proteins bind to different sites on the RyR, and that different structures within the GST and CLIC proteins bind to RyR channels, is discussed. We conclude that the C-terminal part of GSTM2-2 may provide the basis of a therapeutic compound for use in cardiac disorders.     

Cloning and development of synthetic internal amplification control for Bacillus anthracis real-time polymerase chain reaction assays

An internal amplification control (IAC) was developed for Bacillus anthracis rpoB gene detection using TaqMan assay. Synthetic IAC oligonucleotides were subcloned using vector pDG1730 for ectopic integration into host Bacillus subtilis strain 1A772 genome. Differentially labeled target and IAC probes were used in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. There was no nonspecific cross-detection in single-well reactions. Limit of detection for both target and IAC DNA was 5 fg corresponding to a single gene copy. The IAC, in conjunction with target system, should decrease the rate of false-positive and false-negative results in real-time PCR assays.     

Psycho-social profile of abused children in India

Child abuse in one form or other, has manifested in almost all societies. But the recognition of child abuse as a social problem is a recent phenomenon in Inaia and therefore, research is still in its infancy. Present paper reviews the child abuses in India under the areas of different forms of child abuse, marital issues involved, parent child interactions, social and psychological characteristics trends associated with the abused children and its remedial measures. The paper concludes with an emphasis on the need for empirical data on the extent and nature of child abuse in Indian families. The effects of various forms of child abuse for developing appropriate interaction strategies for its managements and prevention have been discussed.     

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey of rabies in a community in Sri Lanka

Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of rabies management and control of a sample population. The secondary objective was to compare the KAP with respect to rabies management and control between urban and rural areas and between pet and non-pet owners. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out by conducting face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires among 1570 respondents from selected households in the Kandy District, Sri Landa. Results Approximately 58% of the sample population was pet owners. Among all the respondents, there was a high level of awareness (90%) that dogs are the most common rabies reservoir, that the disease is fatal (79%), and that rabies can be prevented by vaccination (88%). Most of the subjects (96%) would seek treatment from a doctor or a hospital after being bitten by a dog. Although 76% of the respondents said that their pet dogs were vaccinated, only one-half were able to present a vaccination certificate upon request. The subjects from the urban areas would submit the head of an animal for rabies evaluation (69%) compared with those from the rural areas (57%). Pet owners (93%) are more aware that dog rabies vaccines are available from authorized offices than non-pet owners (87%). Conclusions The level of awareness of rabies and the level of receptiveness to rabies control measures are high. There is a difference in the attitudes and pet care practices relevant to rabies control between urban and rural areas. Pet owners tend to be more cooperative to rabies control activities. The attitudes and practices of the respondents may reflect the inaccessibility of facilities and the lack of services that would enable community participation in rabies control.