The role of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria

In this study, we investigated the role of nitric oxide metabolism and lipid peroxidation in patients with P. vivax malaria. The levels of nitrite and nitrate were analyzed using a procedure based on the Griess reaction and malondialdehyde levels which index of lipid peroxidation was determined by thiobarbituric acid reaction. The levels of nitrite/nitrate and malondialdehyde in patients were higher than controls and found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). We performed this study to determine whether nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation is produced during blood-stage P. vivax malaria. This present study shows that lipid peroxidation occurs in P. vivax malaria. The levels of nitric oxide are associated with lipid peroxidation in this disease.     

Effects of dietary mannanoligosaccharide on performance, some blood parameters, IgG levels and antibody response of lambs to parenterally administered E. coli O157:H7

Forty-eight male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) with or without parenteral Escherichia coli injection on their growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, blood metabolites, total serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and antibody response. Lambs were randomly assigned to four groups of 12 animals each. In groups C (control) and CE (E. coli challenged), animals were fed commercial concentrate pellets and hay (50:50), and in groups M (MOS) and ME (MOS + E. coli challenged), animals were fed commercial concentrate pellets including MOS at 0.2% and hay (50:50). At day 15 and 30, animals in groups CE and ME were injected subcutaneously with 1 ml of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) suspension containing 10(6) cfu of heat inactivated non-toxigenic E. coli O157:H7, while animals in C and M groups were injected subcutaneously with 1 ml of PBS. The experimental period was 45 days. Data indicated that body weight of lambs at the end of the study were statistically non-significant among the groups. Blood metabolites, i.e. total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus concentrations were not affected significantly by MOS supplementation. However, administration E. coli lowered (p < 0.05) total protein, albumin and calcium concentrations in the serum on day 30. The IgG level was not different between groups. However, on day 45, the total IgG level was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in lambs that had received MOS and E. coli than in other groups. Application of MOS did not have any effect on the antibody response to E. coli as OD values.     

Prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovarian tissue with the on-off method

Ischemia is defined as cell death caused by insufficient perfusion of the tissue due to reduction in arterial or venous blood flow, depletion of cellular energy storages, and accumulation of toxic metabolites. The positive effects of controlled reperfusion are known and are used clinically. But the positive effects of controlled reperfusion on ovarian tissue have not been seen in the literature yet. The biochemical and histopathological comparative investigation of rat ovaries that were experimentally exposed to ischemia (IG), ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), and ischemia-controlled reperfusion (ICR) was aimed. Forty rats were divided into four groups (10 rats per group). First group: 3 h ischemia by vascular clips on ovarian tissue. Second group: 3 h ischemia + 1 h reperfusion. Third group: 3 h ischemia + 1 h controlled reperfusion (on-off method: controlled reperfusion by opening and closing the clips (on/off) in 10-second intervals, for 5 times for a total of 100 seconds). Fourth group: healthy rats. Biochemical (tGSH, MDA, and DNA damage level and SOD activity) and histopathological analysis were performed. The highest glutathione and superoxide dismutase measurements were found in ischemia/controlled reperfusion group among the ischemia or ischemia/reperfusion groups. Similarly the damage indicators (malondialdehyde, DNA damage level and histopathological damage grade) were the lowest in ischemia/controlled reperfusion group. These results indicate that controlled reperfusion can be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia for various reasons (ovarian torsion, tumor, etc.).     

Comparative Analysis of the Protective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on Pulmonary Contusion Lung Oxidative Stress and Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Experimental Rat Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the lungs by biochemical and histopathological analyses in an experimental isolated lung contusion model. Eighty-one male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: group 1 (n?=?9) was defined as without contusion and without CAPE injection. Group 2 (n?=?9) was defined as CAPE 10 μmol/kg injection without lung contusion. Group 3 (n?=?36) was defined as contusion without CAPE-administrated group which consisted of four subgroups that were created according to analysis between days?0, 1, 2, and 3. Group 4 (n?=?27) was defined as CAPE 10 μmol/kg administrated after contusion group divided into three subgroups according to analysis on days?1, 2, and 3. CAPE 10 μmol/kg was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma and on days?1 and 2. Blood samples were obtained to measure catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and for blood gas analysis. Trace elements such as zinc and copper were measured in serum. The lung tissue was also removed for histopathological examination. Isolated lung contusion increased serum and tissue SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels (p?<?0.05). Both serum and tissue SOD, MDA, and CAT levels on day?3 were lower in group 4 compared to group 3 (p?<?0.05). Further, the levels of SOD, MDA, and CAT in group 4 were similar compared to group 1 (p?>?0.05). CAPE also had a significant beneficial effect on blood gases (p?<?0.05). Both serum zinc and copper levels were (p?<?0.05) influenced by the administration of CAPE. Histopathological examination revealed lower scores in group 4 compared to group 3 (p?<?0.05) and no significant differences compared to group 1 (p?>?0.05). CAPE appears to be effective in protecting against severe oxidative stress and tissue damage caused by pulmonary contusion in an experimental setting. Therefore, we conclude that administration of CAPE may be used for a variety of conditions associated with pulmonary contusion. Clinical use of CAPE may have the advantage of prevention of pulmonary contusion.     

Identification of novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in inflammatory genes as risk factors associated with trachomatous trichiasis

Background

Trachoma is the leading preventable cause of global blindness. A balanced Th1/Th2/Th3 immune response is critical for resolving Chlamydia trachomatis infection, the primary cause of trachoma. Despite control programs that include mass antibiotic treatment, reinfection and recurrence of trachoma are common after treatment cessation. Furthermore, a subset of infected individuals develop inflammation and are at greater risk for developing the severe sequela of trachoma known as trachomatous trichiasis (TT). While there are a number of environmental and behavioral risk factors for trachoma, genetic factors that influence inflammation and TT risk remain ill defined.

Methodology/Findings

We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 36 candidate inflammatory genes and interactions among these SNPs that likely play a role in the overall risk for TT. We conducted a case control study of 538 individuals of Tharu ethnicity residing in an endemic region of Nepal. Trachoma was graded according to World Health Organization guidelines. A linear array was used to genotype 51 biallelic SNPs in the 36 genes. Analyses were performed using logic regression modeling, which controls for multiple comparisons. We present, to our knowledge, the first significant association of TNFA (-308GA), LTA (252A), VCAM1 (-1594TC), and IL9 (T113M) polymorphisms, synergistic SNPs and risk of TT. TT risk decreased 5 times [odds ratio = 0.2 (95% confidence interval 0.11.–0.33), p = 0.001] with the combination of TNFA (-308A), LTA (252A), VCAM1 (-1594C), SCYA 11 (23T) minor allele, and the combination of TNFA (-308A), IL9 (113M), IL1B (5′UTR-T), and VCAM1 (-1594C). However, TT risk increased 13.5 times [odds ratio = 13.5 (95% confidence interval 3.3–22), p = 0.001] with the combination of TNFA (-308G), VDR (intron G), IL4R (50V), and ICAM1 (56M) minor allele.

Conclusions

Evaluating genetic risk factors for trachoma will advance our understanding of disease pathogenesis, and should be considered in the context of designing global control programs.     

Distribution of spoligotyping defined genotypic lineages among drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex clinical isolates in Ankara, Turkey

Background

Investigation of genetic heterogeneity and spoligotype-defined lineages of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates collected during a three-year period in two university hospitals and National Tuberculosis Reference and Research Laboratory in Ankara, Turkey.

Methods and Findings

A total of 95 drug-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates collected from three different centers were included in this study. Susceptibility testing of the isolates to four major antituberculous drugs was performed using proportion method on Löwenstein–Jensen medium and BACTEC 460-TB system. All clinical isolates were typed by using spoligotyping and IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. Seventy-three of the 95 (76.8%) drug resistant M. tuberculosis isolates were isoniazid-resistant, 45 (47.4%) were rifampicin-resistant, 32 (33.7%) were streptomycin-resistant and 31 (32.6%) were ethambutol-resistant. The proportion of multidrug-resistant isolates (MDR) was 42.1%. By using spoligotyping, 35 distinct patterns were observed; 75 clinical isolates were grouped in 15 clusters (clustering rate of 79%) and 20 isolates displayed unique patterns. Five of these 20 unique patterns corresponded to orphan patterns in the SITVIT2 database, while 4 shared types containing 8 isolates were newly created. The most prevalent M. tuberculosis lineages were: Haarlem (23/95, 24.2%), ill-defined T superfamily (22/95, 23.2%), the Turkey family (19/95, 20%; previously designated as LAM7-TUR), Beijing (6/95, 6.3%), and Latin-America & Mediterranean (LAM, 5/95 or 5.3%), followed by Manu (3/95, 3.2%) and S (1/95, 1%) lineages. Four of the six Beijing family isolates (66.7%) were MDR. A combination of IS6110-RFLP and spoligotyping reduced the clustering rate from 79% to 11.5% among the drug resistant isolates.

Conclusions

The results obtained showed that ill-defined T, Haarlem, the Turkey family (previously designated as LAM7-TUR family with high phylogeographical specifity for Turkey), Beijing and LAM were predominant lineages observed in almost 80% of the drug-Resistant M. tuberculosis complex clinical isolates in Ankara, Turkey.     

Epidemiological studies on aging in France: from the PAQUID study to the Three-City study

Follow-up of cohorts recruited in general population with active screening and diagnosis of incident cases, is the most appropriate epidemiological design for studying incidence and risk factors of Alzheimer disease and other types of dementia. In France, people considered in the PAQUID study, then in the EVA study, have been the first cohorts on dementia. They have prepared the way for the Three-City (3C) study, conducted in Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier. About 9500 persons aged 65 years and over have been recruited in these three cities and will be followed-up during four years. The main objective of the 3C study is to investigate the relation between vascular risk and neurodegenerative diseases. The 3C study will provide essential data for defining strategies for dementia prevention. To measure the impact of the strategies on the incidence of dementia and the social burden of this disease will be an important public health objective in the near future.     

The Urokinase Receptor Homolog Haldisin Is a Novel Differentiation Marker of Stratum Granulosum in Squamous Epithelia

Several members of the Ly-6/uPAR (LU)-protein domain family are differentially expressed in human squamous epithelia. In some cases, they even play important roles in maintaining skin homeostasis, as exemplified by the secreted single domain member, SLURP-1, the deficiency of which is associated with the development of palmoplantar hyperkeratosis in the congenital skin disorder Mal de Meleda. In the present study, we have characterized a new member of the LU-protein domain family, which we find to be predominantly expressed in the stratum granulosum of human skin, thus resembling the expression of SLURP-1. In accordance with its expression pattern, we denote this protein product, which is encoded by the LYPD5 gene, as Haldisin (human antigen with LU-domains expressed in skin). Two of the five human glycolipid-anchored membrane proteins with multiple LU-domains characterized so far are predominantly confined to squamous epithelia (i.e., C4.4A), to stratum spinosum, and Haldisin to stratum granulosum under normal homeostatic conditions. Whether Haldisin is a prognostic biomarker for certain epithelial malignancies, like C4.4A and SLURP-1, remains to be explored.