Highly stable CuO incorporated TiO(2) catalyst for photo-catalytic hydrogen production from H(2)O.

A CuO incorporated TiO(2) catalyst was found to be an active photo-catalyst for the reduction of H(2)O under sacrificial conditions. The catalytic activity originates from the photogeneration of excited electrons in the conduction bands of both TiO(2) and CuO resulting in a build-up of excess electrons in the conduction band of CuO. Consequently, the accumulation of excess electrons in CuO causes a negative shift in the Fermi level of CuO. The efficient inter-particle charge transfer leads to a higher catalytic activity and the formation of highly reduced states of TiO(2)/CuO, which are stable even under oxygen saturated condition. Negative shift in the Fermi level of CuO of the catalyst TiO(2)/CuO gains the required over-voltage necessary for efficient water reduction reaction. The function of CuO is to help the charge separation and to act as a water reduction site. The amount of CuO and crystalline structure were found to be crucial for the catalytic activity and the optimum CuO loading was ca. approximately 5-10%(w/w).     

The Effectiveness of a ‘Train the Trainer’ Model of Resuscitation Education for Rural Peripheral Hospital Doctors in Sri Lanka

Background

Sri Lankan rural doctors based in isolated peripheral hospitals routinely resuscitate critically ill patients but have difficulty accessing training. We tested a train-the-trainer model that could be utilised in isolated rural hospitals.

Methods

Eight selected rural hospital non-specialist doctors attended a 2-day instructor course. These “trained trainers” educated their colleagues in advanced cardiac life support at peripheral hospital workshops and we tested their students in resuscitation knowledge and skills pre and post training, and at 6- and 12-weeks. Knowledge was assessed through 30 multiple choice questions (MCQ), and resuscitation skills were assessed by performance in a video recorded simulated scenario of a cardiac arrest using a Resuci Anne Skill Trainer mannequin.

Results/Discussion/Conclusion

Fifty seven doctors were trained. Pre and post training assessment was possible in 51 participants, and 6-week and 12-week follow up was possible for 43, and 38 participants respectively. Mean MCQ scores significantly improved over time (p<0.001), and a significant improvement was noted in “average ventilation volume”, “compression count”, and “compressions with no error”, “adequate depth”, “average depth”, and “compression rate” (p<0.01). The proportion of participants with compression depth ≥40mm increased post intervention (p<0.05) and at 12-week follow up (p<0.05), and proportion of ventilation volumes between 400-1000mls increased post intervention (p<0.001). A significant increase in the proportion of participants who “checked for responsiveness”, “opened the airway”, “performed a breathing check”, who used the “correct compression ratio”, and who used an “appropriate facemask technique” was also noted (p<0.001). A train-the-trainer model of resuscitation education was effective in improving resuscitation knowledge and skills in Sri Lankan rural peripheral hospital doctors. Improvement was sustained to 12 weeks for most components of resuscitation knowledge and skills. Further research is needed to identify which components of training are most effective in leading to sustained improvement in resuscitation.     

Attenuation of scratch-induced reactive astrogliosis by novel EphA4 kinase inhibitors

The EphA4 receptor and its ephrin ligands are involved in astrocytic gliosis following CNS injury. Therefore, a strategy aimed at the blockade of EphA4 signaling could have broad therapeutic interest in brain disorders. We have identified novel small molecule inhibitors of EphA4 kinase in specific enzymatic and cell-based assays. In addition, we have demonstrated in two in vitro models of scratch injury that EphA4 receptor kinase is activated through phosphorylation and is involved in the repopulation of the wound after the scratch. A potent EphA4 kinase inhibitor significantly inhibited wound closure and reduced the accumulation of the reactive astrocytes inside the scratch. We have also shown that after the transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, a large glial scar is formed by the accumulation of astrocytes and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan surrounding the infarcted tissue at 7 days and 14 days of reperfusion. EphA4 protein expression is highly up-regulated in the same areas at these time points, supporting its potential role in the glial scar formation and maintenance. Taken together, these results suggest that EphA4 kinase inhibitors might interfere with the astrogliosis reaction and thereby lead to improved neurological outcome after ischemic injury.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing properties and safety assessment of two seaweeds (Sargassum ilicifolium and Ulva lactuca)

Seaweeds have been regarded as a reservoir of biologically active molecules that are important in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of the present study was to explore the wound healing properties and to assess the safety of the seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium and Ulva lactuca. Enhanced cell proliferation and cell migration activities were observed in L929 cells treated with S. ilicifolium extract compared to U. lactuca extract treated cells and the control group. In-vivo experiments were conducted using five groups (10 in each) of Albino mice (BALB/c). Mice in group I and group II were treated (Orally, 100 mg/kg BW/day) with aqueous extracts of S. ilicifolium and U. lactuca, respectively for 14 days. Treatment group III received a topical application of the aqueous extract of S. ilicifolium (25% w/w) and ointment base (75% w/w) (2 g/kg BW/day, for 14 days). Group IV (Control) received an equal amount of distilled water, orally and mice in group V kept without wounds. The extract from S. ilicifolium showed stronger wound healing properties than the one from Ulva lactuca. Histopathological findings also revealed that the healing process was significantly enhanced in the mice group treated orally with S. ilicifolium aqueous extract. These findings show that S. ilicifolium species possess promising wound healing properties in-vitro and in-vivo.     

Cutaneous Manifestations of Spotted Fever Rickettsial Infections in the Central Province of Sri Lanka: A Descriptive Study

Background

Characteristic skin lesions play a key role in clinical diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsioses and this study describes these cutaneous manifestations along with basic histological features.

Methods and Findings

Study was conducted at Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, from November 2009 to October 2011, where a prospective data base of all rickettsial infections is maintained. Confirmation of diagnosis was made when IgM and IgG immunofluorescent antibody titre of 1/32 and >1/256 respectively. Of the 210 clinical cases, 134 had cutoff antibody titers for Rickettsia conorii antigen for confirmation. All these 134 patients had fever and skin rash, and of them 132(98%) had discrete maculopapular rash while eight (6%) had fern leaf type skin necrosis. Eight patients (6%) had healed tick bite marks. Average size of a skin lesion was 5 mm and rash involved 52% of body surface, distributed mainly in limbs and back of the chest. Generally the facial and leg skin was slightly oedematous particularly in old aged patients. Sixteen patients (12%) had pain and swelling of ankle joints where swelling extended to feet and leg. Biopsies from skin rash of six patients showed evidence of cutaneous vasculitis and of them, 247 bp region of the 17-kDa spotted fever group specific protein antigen was amplified using PCR.

Conclusions

A discrete maculopapular rash and occasional variations such as fern leaf shape necrosis and arthritis are found in spotted fever group. Histology found vasculitis as the pathology of these lesions.     

Serum Proteome and Cytokine Analysis in a Longitudinal Cohort of Adults with Primary Dengue Infection Reveals Predictive Markers of DHF

Background

Infections caused by dengue virus are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Factors that control transition from mild forms of disease such as dengue fever (DF) to more life-threatening forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are poorly understood. Consequently, there are no reliable methods currently available for early triage of DHF patients resulting in significant over-hospitalization.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We have systematically examined the proteome, cytokines and inflammatory markers in sera from 62 adult dengue patients (44 DF; 18 DHF) with primary DENV infection, at three different times of infection representing the early febrile, defervescence and convalescent stages. Using fluorescent bioplex assays, we measured 27 cytokines in these serum samples. Additionally, we used multiple mass spectrometry methods for iTRAQ-based comparative analysis of serum proteome as well as measurements of protein adducts- 3-nitrotyrosine and 3-chlorotyrosine as surrogate measures of free radical activity. Using multiple methods such as OPLS, MRMR and MSVM-RFE for multivariate feature selection and classification, we report molecular markers that allow prediction of primary DHF with sensitivity and specificity of >80%.

Conclusions/Significance

This report constitutes a comprehensive analysis of molecular signatures of dengue disease progression and will help unravel mechanisms of dengue disease progression. Our analysis resulted in the identification of markers that may be useful for early prediction of DHF during the febrile phase. The combination of highly sensitive analytical methods and novel statistical approaches described here forms a robust platform for biomarker discovery.     

Genetic linkage maps of rose constructed with new microsatellite markers and locating QTL controlling flowering traits

New microsatellites markers [simple sequence repeat (SSR)] have been isolated from rose and integrated into an existing amplified fragment-length polymorphism genetic map. This new map was used to identify quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling date of flowering and number of petals. From a rose bud expressed sequence tag (EST) database of 2,556 unigenes and a rose genomic library, 44 EST-SSRs and 20 genomic-SSR markers were developed, respectively. These new rose SSRs were used to expand genetic maps of the rose interspecific F₁ progeny. In addition, SSRs from other Rosaceae genera were also tested in the mapping progeny. Genetic maps for the two parents of the progeny were constructed using pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. The maps consist of seven linkage groups of 105 markers covering 432 cM for the maternal map and 136 markers covering 438 cM for the paternal map. Homologous relationships among linkage groups between the maternal and paternal maps were established using SSR markers. Loci controlling flowering traits were localised on genetic maps as a major gene and QTL for the number of petals and a QTL for the blooming date. New SSR markers developed in this study will provide tools for the establishment of a consensus linkage map for roses that combine traits and markers in various rose genetic maps.     

Prevalence of coccidia and gastrointestinal nematode infections in cross bred goats in the dry areas of Sri Lanka

The prevalence and intensity of oocysts of coccidia, particularly Eimeria species, and eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes in kids (2–4 months), young goats (5–12 months) and adult goats (>1 year) were determined in five large herds managed extensively in five villages in the dry zone. Of the representative samples examined, oocysts were found in 88% of kids, 91% of young goats and 83% of adults. Seven species of Eimeria were identified in faecal samples by salt flotation. Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae (31%), E. alijevi (29%) and E. arloingi (21%) were the most common species in all age categories. Other species encountered were E. christenseni (7%), E. jolchijevi (6%), E. hirchi (3%) and E. aspheronica (1%). Gastrointestinal nematode eggs were found in 89% of the kids, 94% of the young goats and 84% of the adult goats. Identification of gastrointestinal nematodes revealed Haemonchus contortus (90%) followed by Oesophogostomum spp. (8.5%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (1%) in all three age categories examined. Both Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematodes were found in 77% of the kids, 86% of the young goats and 71% of adult goats. The mean oocyst counts per gram of faeces in kids, young goats and adult goats were 9728, 1946, and 2667, respectively. The oocyst counts were not different significantly between age groups (P>0.05). The mean egg counts per gram of faeces in kids, young goats and adult goats were 1217, 1641 and 1092, respectively. The egg counts in kids were significantly lower than that in young goats (P<0.05). The intensity of Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematode infections between herds were significantly different (P<0.01).     

Regional responsiveness of renal perfusion to activation of the renal nerves

We tested for regional differences in perfusion responses, within the renal medulla and cortex, to renal nerve stimulation in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rabbits. Laser-Doppler flux (LDF) was monitored at various depths below the cortical surface (1-15 mm). Basal cortical LDF (1-3 mm, approximately 200-450 U) was greater than medullary LDF (5-15 mm, approximately 70-160 U), but there were no statistically significant differences in basal LDF within these regions. The background LDF signal during aortic occlusion was similar in the cortex (2 mm, 31 U) and outer medulla (7 mm, 31 U), but slightly greater in the inner medulla (12 mm, 44 U). During electrical stimulation of the renal nerves (0.5-8 Hz), cortical LDF and total renal blood flow were similarly progressively reduced with increasing stimulus frequency. Medullary LDF (measured between 5 and 15 mm) was overall less responsive than cortical LDF. For example, 4-Hz stimulation reduced inner medullary LDF (9 mm) by 19 +/- 6% but reduced cortical LDF (1 mm) by 54 +/- 11%. However, medullary LDF responses to nerve stimulation were similar at all depths measured. Our results indicate that while the vascular elements controlling medullary perfusion are less sensitive to the effects of electrical stimulation of the renal nerves than are those controlling cortical perfusion, sensitivity within these vascular territories appears to be relatively homogeneous.