Potentiation of the in vitro cytotoxic response to syngeneic lymphoma cells by soluble products of tuberculin-sensitive lymphoid cells stimulated with PPD

Spleen cells from rats immunized with the syngeneic (C58NT)D Gross virus induced lymphoma have previously been shown to differentiate into cytotoxic effector cells following restimulation with tumor cells in vitro. Previous work has also demonstrated that the addition of PPD-primed syngeneic spleen cells and PPD to cultures of (C58NT)D-primed spleen cells will potentiate the in vitro cytotoxic response to tumor antigens. In the studies presented here, the potentiating effect was found to be mediated by a soluble factor(s) released by nonadherent cells from BCG-primed rats. The release of this immunopotentiating factor(IPF) required the presence of PPD and varied with the concentration of PPD added. IPF was produced by BCG-primed spleen, lymph node, and thymus cells. Maximal production of IPF in PPD-stimulated cultures was obtained after 6–12 hr of incubation. Supernatants obtained after 30 hr of incubation lacked apparent IPF activity when tested initially, but activity was recovered after mild heat treatment. Recovery of IPF activity after heat exposure is best explained by the presence of a heat-labile inhibitor. IPF itself is stable to heat treatment to 56 °C for 40 min. IPF was also shown to be capable of enhancing immune responses to histocompatibility antigens in vitro.     

Serological detection of yam viruses in farmers' fields in Ogun State,Nigeria

A field survey was conducted in eight local government areas (LGA) of Ogun state, Nigeria to assess the incidence of viral diseases of yams in the areas. Leaf samples were collected from 90 yam plants which were either symptomatic or asymptomatic. These were bulked into 45 during serological tests and the viruses indexed include yam mosaic virus (YMV); Dioscorea alata bacilliform virus (DaBV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). DaBV was the most prevalent virus on the field with incidence of 48.9% (22/45) followed by YMV which occurred in 42.2% (19/45). CMV had the lowest percentage of incidence; 2.2% (1/45). Of all the LGAs visited, Abeokuta north and Abeokuta south had the highest incidence of YMV and DaBV, respectively. Mixed virus infections were also detected.     

Maternal malaria, birth size and blood pressure in Nigerian newborns: insights into the developmental origins of hypertension from the Ibadan growth cohort

Background

Hypertension is an increasing health issue in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria remains common in pregnancy. We established a birth cohort in Nigeria to evaluate the early impact of maternal malaria on newborn blood pressure (BP).

Methods

Anthropometric measurements, BP, blood films for malaria parasites and haematocrit were obtained in 436 mother-baby pairs. Women were grouped to distinguish between the timing of malaria parasitaemia as ‘No Malaria’, ‘Malaria during pregnancy only’ or ‘Malaria at delivery’, and parasite density as low (<1000 parasites/µl of blood) and high (≥1000/µl).

Results

Prevalence of maternal malaria parasitaemia was 48%, associated with younger maternal age (p<0.001), being primigravid (p = 0.022), lower haematocrit (p = 0.028). High parasite density through pregnancy had the largest effect on mean birth indices so that weight, length, head and mid-upper arm circumferences were smaller by 300 g, 1.1 cm, 0.7 cm and 0.4 cm respectively compared with ‘No malaria’ (all p≤0.005). In babies of mothers who had ‘malaria at delivery’, their SBPs adjusted for other confounders were lower respectively by 4.3 and 5.7 mmHg/kg compared with ‘malaria during pregnancy only’ or ‘none’. In contrast the mean newborn systolic (SBP) and diastolic BPs (DBP) adjusted for birth weight were higher by 1.7 and 1.4 mmHg/kg respectively in babies whose mothers had high compared with low parasitaemia.

Conclusions

As expected, prenatal malarial exposure had a significant impact on fetal growth rates. Malaria at delivery was associated with the lowest newborn BPs while malaria through pregnancy, which may attenuate growth of the vascular network, generated higher newborn BPs adjusted for size. These neonatal findings have potential implications for cardiovascular health in sub-Saharan Africa.     

Solid-state fermentation production of tetracycline by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> strains using some agricultural wastes as substrate

The ability of Streptomyces sp. OXCI, S. rimosus NRRL B2659, S. rimosus NRRL B2234, S. alboflavus NRRL B1273 S. aureofaciens NRRL B2183 and S. vendagensis ATCC 25507 to produce tetracycline using some local agricultural wastes as solid state media, were assessed. The wastes employed include peanut (groundnut) shells, corncob, corn pomace and cassava peels. Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 was used to assay antimicrobial activity. All the strains produced tetracycline in a solid-state fermentation process containing peanut (groundnut) as the carbohydrate source. Streptomyces sp. OXC1 had the highest ability for tetracycline production with peanut shells as the substrate in solid fermentation (13.18 mg/g), followed by S. vendagensis ATCC 25507 (11.08 mg/g), S.rimosus NRRL B1679 (8.46 mg/g), S. alboflavus NRRL B1273 (7.59 mg/g), S. rimosus NRRL B2234 (6.37 mg/g), S. aureofaciens NRRL B2183 (4.27 mg/g). Peanut (groundnut) shells were the most effective substrate (4.36 mg/g) followed by corncob (2.64 mg/g), cassava peels (2.16 mg/g) and corn pomace (1.99 mg/g). The composition of the peanut (groundnut) shell medium optimal for tetracycline production were peanut shells 100 g, organic nitrogen (peanut meal) 10 g, (NH ₄)₂ SO₄ 1 g, KH₂ PO ₄ 0.5 g, CaCO₃ > 0.5 g, NaCl 0.5 g, MgSO₄ · 7H₂ O 0.5 g, soluble starch 10 g, peanut oil 0.25 ml with initial moisture content of 65–68%, and initial pH 5.3–6.3. Substrate (1 g dry weight) was inoculated with 1.0 × 10 ⁸ conidia per ml and incubated at 28–31 °C for 5–7 days, producing 13.18 mg/g of total tetracycline. Tetracycline detection started on day 3 and attained its maximum level on day 5.     

七种糕点对赤拟谷盗(鞘翅目：拟步甲科)感染的抗性（英文）

Biscuits are flour-based products,which areconsumed by majority of people,both old and young,throughout the world and most especially by children,teenagers and mid-adults(Majumder,1970).It can beserved as a desert or snacks and as a breakfast foodwhentaken with beverages.Its ready-to-serve state andlong shelf life contribute to its acceptability by themasses.Wheat as humanfoodis used principallyintheformof flour for baked products such as bread,bis-cuits,pastries and crackers(Kent,1983).In th…     

Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage, emergence, clearance and population sex ratios in anaemic and non-anaemic malarious children

Anaemia in falciparum malaria is associated with an increased risk of gametocyte carriage, but its effects on transmission have not been extensively evaluated in malarious children. Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage, emergence, clearance, population sex ratios (SR) (defined as the proportion of gametocytes that are male), inbreeding rates and temporal changes in SR were evaluated in 840 malarious children. Gametocyte carriage pre-treatment was at a level of 8.1%. Anaemia at enrolment was an independent risk factor for gametocyte carriage post-treatment. The emergence of gametocytes seven days post-treatment was significantly more frequent in anaemic children (7/106 vs. 10/696, p = 0.002). In the initially detected gametocytes, the proportion of children with a male-biased SR (MBSR) (> 0.5) was significantly higher in anaemic children (6/7 vs. 3/10, p = 0.027). Pre-treatment SR and estimated inbreeding rates (proportion of a mother's daughters fertilised by her sons) were similar in anaemic and non-anaemic children. Pre-treatment SR became more female-biased in non-anaemic children following treatment. However, in anaemic children, SR became male-biased. Anaemia was shown to significantly increase gametocyte emergence and may significantly alter the SR of emerging gametocytes. If MBSR is more infective to mosquitoes at low gametocytaemia, then these findings may have significant implications for malaria control efforts in endemic settings where malaria-associated anaemia is common.     

Saponin as regulator of biofuel: implication for ethnobotanical management of diabetes

There has been a sharp rise in the global prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and their comorbid conditions within the last decade prompting significant research into possible causes and cure via therapeutic intervention and lifestyle adjustments. Here, the molecular bases of antidiabetic plants used in the prehistorical treatment of diabetes and obesity are reviewed with particular focus on saponin as the phytotherapeutic principle. Until recently, the phytotherapeutic potentials of saponins have been masked in the heterogeneity of phytochemicals co-extractable during traditional preparations. With improved technique of purification and cutting edge biological assay methods, saponins have emerged as a regulator of primary biofuel availability through direct interaction with energy metabolism, cell signaling, and gene expression. Specific cases of lipoprotein lipase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma/phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI-3-K)/protein kinase B (Akt) activation, adiponectin gene upregulation, fatty acid binding protein 4 repression (FABP4), and glucose transporter type 4 (Glut4) membrane exocytosis have been documented which provide molecular basis for hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, and anti-obesity manifestations observed in experimental animals following saponin treatment. Although intensified research is required to characterize the pharmacophoric features in saponins exhibiting these interactions, however, this preliminary lead is valuable if the world will be free of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis in no distant future.     

Concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc in the major organs of the wistar albino and wild black rats: a comparative study

The concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc in the major organs of Wistar albino (Rattus norvegicus) and wild black rats (Rattus rattus) were measured by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy. The copper levels in the kidneys and liver of the Wistar albino rats (WARs) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the wild black rats (WBRs). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of zinc in the liver, lungs, kidneys, and brain between the two study groups, but zinc was significantly higher in the spleen (p<0.05) and lower in the heart (p<0.05) of WAR, compared to WBRs. Iron was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the heart and spleen of WBRs, compared to WARs.There were no extreme differences in the organ concentrations of trace elements between the two species, but, cumulatively, the WARs tend to have higher metallic concentrations in their system than the WBRs. The potential of these differences on the experimental results should not be overlooked and will serve as basis to further consider the complex interrelationships of these animals in their microenvironments and macroenvironments.     

Protocatechuic acid ameliorates testosterone‐induced benign prostatic hyperplasia through the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in castrated rats

Protocatechuic acid (PA) is a polyphenol—recognized for its efficacy as an antioxidant—possesses anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant properties. The efficacy of PA in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has not been investigated. Forty‐two castrated rats (n = 7) were treated as follows: control (corn oil), BPH only received testosterone propionate (TP) (TP 3 mg/kg intraperitoneally), BPH + PA (TP 3 mg/kg + PA 40 mg/kg), BPH + finasteride (Fin) (TP 3 mg/kg + Fin 10 mg/kg), PA only (40 mg/kg: by gavage), and Fin only (10 mg/kg: by gavage) for 4 weeks. In BPH rats, there were significant (P < .05) increases in prostatic (250%) and organosomatic (280%) weights compared with controls. Cotreatment decreased prostatic weights by 19% (PA) and 21% (Fin). Markers of inflammation: myeloperoxidase activities increased in serum (148%) and prostate (70%), as well as nitric oxide levels serum (92%) and prostatic (95%). Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α increased by 3.6‐ and 2.8‐fold. Furthermore, prostatic malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and serum total acid phosphatase increased by 97%, 25%, and 48%, respectively. Histology revealed poor architecture and severe proliferation of the prostate in BPH rats. Inflammation and oxidative stress markers, as well as the histological alteration in BPH rats, was attenuated (P < .05) upon cotreatment with PA and comparable with Fin cotreatment. These results suggest that PA mitigates oxido‐inflammatory responses and restored prostatic cytoarchitecture to levels comparable with control in rats induced with BPH.