Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Alleles in the Insulin Receptor Gene Are Associated with Typical Migraine

We have identified a migraine locus on chromosome 19p13.3/2 using linkage and association analysis. We isolated 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the locus, of which we genotyped 24 in a Caucasian population comprising 827 unrelated cases and 765 controls. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the insulin receptor gene showed significant association with migraine. This association was independently replicated in a case-control population collected separately. We used experiments with insulin receptor RNA and protein to investigate functionality for the migraine-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We suggest possible functions for the insulin receptor in migraine pathogenesis.     

Production and characterization of anti-peptide monoclonal antibodies with specificity for staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B

A synthetic peptide containing selected epitopes from staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and enterotoxin B (SEB) was used to produce monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to respective enterotoxins in a single fusion procedure. The peptide inhibited the reaction of polyclonal anti-SEA or anti-SEB antisera with their homologous enterotoxin, thus showing that the chosen epitopes are part of the antibody-inducing enterotoxin sequences. Two Mabs, Mab-A and Mab-B, reacted with both the peptide and with either SEA or SEB. Used in a double antibody sandwich ELISA, the Mabs were able to quantitate the native SEA or SEB toxins at nanogram levels.     

Induction of carbofuran oxidation to 4-hydroxycarbofuran by Pseudomonas sp. 50432

Pseudomonas sp. 50432 biotransformed a highly toxic pesticide, carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) to 7-phenol (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-hydroxy benzofuran) and several unknown metabolites. One of the unknown metabolites identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy was 4-hydroxycarbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxybenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate). It had a mass (237) similar to 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 5-hydroxycarbofuran but different fragmentation patterns. This is the first report in which an inducible oxidative enzyme, hydroxylase, mediated the conversion of carbofuran to 4-hydroxycarbofuran. A second constitutively synthesized enzyme hyrolase transformed carbofuran to 7-phenol.     

Retrospective biodosimetry among United States radiologic technologists

Measurement of chromosome translocations in peripheral blood lymphocytes has been used to quantify prior exposure to ionizing radiation, including for workers exposed to low, chronic doses. We assessed translocation frequencies in a subset of U.S. radiologic technologists to substantiate ionizing radiation dose estimates developed for 110,418 technologists who worked between 1916 and 1984. From 3,441 cohort members known to have begun working before 1950, we selected a sample of 152, stratified by estimated cumulative dose, over-sampling from higher-dose categories and excluding persons with a prior cancer diagnosis, a personal or family history of chromosomal instability disorders, or a current history of smoking. Estimates of film-badge dose ranged from less than 10 cSv to more than 30 cSv. Blood samples, obtained in 2004, were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) whole chromosome painting by simultaneously labeling chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 in red and 3, 5 and 6 in green. Translocations were scored in 1800 well-spread metaphase cells and expressed per 100 cell equivalents (CE) per person. Linear Poisson regression models with allowance for overdispersion were used to assess the relationship between estimated occupational red bone marrow absorbed dose in cGy and translocation frequency, adjusted for age, gender and estimated red bone marrow absorbed dose score from personal diagnostic procedures. We observed 0.09 excess translocations per 100 CE per cGy red bone marrow dose (95% CI: -0.01, 0.2; P = 0.07), which is similar to the expected estimate based on previous cytogenetic studies (0.05 excess translocations per 100 CE per cGy). Despite uncertainty in the estimates of occupational red bone marrow absorbed doses, we found good general agreement between the doses and translocation frequencies, lending support to the credibility of the dose assessment for this large cohort of U.S. radiologic technologists.     

The effects of the prostaglandin E analogue Misoprostol and follicle-stimulating hormone on cervical penetrability in ewes during the peri-ovulatory period

Two experiments in parous Welsh Mountain ewes determined the pattern of natural cervical relaxation over the peri-ovulatory period and investigated FSH and Misoprostol as cervical relaxants to facilitate transcervical passage of an insemination pipette into the uterine cavity. Following synchronisation of oestrus using progestagen sponges and PMSG (500 IU) the depth of cervical penetration was determined using a modified cattle insemination pipette as a measuring device. Penetration of the cervix was least at the time of sponge removal and increased to a maximum at 72 h after sponge removal and then declined. Intra-cervical administrations of either ovine FSH (Ovagen; 2mg) or Misoprostol (1mg; a Prostaglandin E(1) analogue) facilitated cervical penetration. Ovagen given 24h after sponge removal allowed transcervical intrauterine penetration in 100% of ewes at 54 and 60 h after sponge removal while Misoprostol given 48 h after sponge removal allowed trans-cervical penetration in 100% of ewes at 54 h. A combination of Ovagen and Misoprostol was as effective but not more so than Ovagen or Misoprostol alone. These results show that there is natural relaxation of the cervix at oestrus and that maximum relaxation occurs 72 h after sponge removal, which is too late for the correct timing of insemination. The intra-cervical administration of FSH or Misoprostol enhanced relaxation of the cervix and both were able to relax the cervix to allow intrauterine penetration 54 h after sponge removal, the optimum time for insemination. The results also show that FSH is biologically active after intracervical, topical application.     

Decolorization potential of mixed microbial consortia for reactive and disperse textile dyestuffs

Four different aerobic mixed consortia collected from basins of wastewater streams coming out of dying plants of Crescent Textile (CT), Sitara Textile (ST), Chenab Fabrics (CF) and Noor Fatima Textile (NF), Faisalabad, Pakistan were applied for decolorization of Drimarene Orange K-GL, Drimarene Brilliant Red K-4BL, Foron Yellow SE4G and Foron Blue RDGLN for 10 days using the shake flask technique. CT culture showed the best decolorization potential on all dyestuffs followed by ST, NF and CF, respectively. CT could completely decolorize all dyes within 3–5 days. ST cultures showed effective decolorization potential on Foron Yellow SE4G and Drimarene Brilliant Red K-4BL but complete color removal was achieved after 4 and 7 days, respectively. NF culture showed 100% decolorization efficiencies on Foron Yellow SE4G and Foron Blue RDGLN but it took comparatively longer time periods (5–7 days). Where as, the NF culture had decolorized only 40% and 50% of Drimarene orange and red, respectively, after 10 days. CF caused complete decolorization of Foron Blue RDGLN and Drimarene Brilliant Red K-4BL after 4 and 8 days, respectively but it showed poor performance on other two dyes.     

Perspective of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing ACC deaminase in stress agriculture

Ethylene is a gaseous plant growth hormone produced endogenously by almost all plants. It is also produced in soil through a variety of biotic and abiotic mechanisms, and plays a key role in inducing multifarious physiological changes in plants at molecular level. Apart from being a plant growth regulator, ethylene has also been established as a stress hormone. Under stress conditions like those generated by salinity, drought, waterlogging, heavy metals and pathogenicity, the endogenous production of ethylene is accelerated substantially which adversely affects the root growth and consequently the growth of the plant as a whole. Certain plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) contain a vital enzyme, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which regulates ethylene production by metabolizing ACC (an immediate precursor of ethylene biosynthesis in higher plants) into α-ketobutyrate and ammonia. Inoculation with PGPR containing ACC deaminase activity could be helpful in sustaining plant growth and development under stress conditions by reducing stress-induced ethylene production. Lately, efforts have been made to introduce ACC deaminase genes into plants to regulate ethylene level in the plants for optimum growth, particularly under stressed conditions. In this review, the primary focus is on giving account of all aspects of PGPR containing ACC deaminase regarding alleviation of impact of both biotic and abiotic stresses onto plants and of recent trends in terms of introduction of ACC deaminase genes into plant and microbial species.