Epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Atbara River area,eastern Sudan: the outbreak of Barbar El Fugara village (1996-1997)

An outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) started in 1995 in the Atbara River area in eastern Sudan. This article reports on this outbreak and on the clinical and immunological studies that were carried out in a village, with the highest incidence of VL cases, from 1996 to 1997. A significant increase in VL incidence was recorded in a dozen villages in this area; one village, Barbar El Fugara accounted for half of the total number of cases recorded at the regional hospital. A total of 152 VL and 61 post kala-azar dermal lesion (PKDL) cases were diagnosed and treated in Barbar. Household (n = 671) and school (n = 276) surveys were performed using the leishmanin skin test (LST) and the direct agglutination test (DAT). LST positivity was 23.1 and 15.7%, whereas DAT positivity was 8.9 and 26.4% in both surveys, respectively. No gender differences were observed in either test. Unlike DAT, LST positivity was predominant in the higher age groups that also exhibited lower prevalence of VL. Few individuals were positive by both tests (1.3%, 5.2%) while the majority (68.8%, 64.8%) had no evidence of acquired immune response, suggesting either a role of innate immunity in preventing parasite establishment or, unexpectedly, lack of exposure to Leishmania. Subclinical parasitism was also demonstrated, as evidence of both acquired humoral and cellular immune responses was observed in individuals with no past history of the disease. The wide spectrum of L. donovani/human interactions may be explained by differential exposure to environmental risk factors, parasite strain polymorphisms or host genetic makeup.     

Diterpenoids from Euphorbia paralias.

Two segatane diterpenoids containing a bicyclic [4,3,1] ring system were isolated, together with 11 known diterpenoids, four segetanes, five jatrophanes and two paralianes, from the aerial parts of Euphorbia paralias. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic means, including by 2D NMR and CD spectroscopic analyses. The antifeedant and antiviral activities of the isolated compounds are also described.     

Apigenin protects from hepatorenal damage caused by lead acetate in rats

Exposure to lead (Pb) is associated with serious health problems including hepatorenal toxicity. Apigenin is a natural-sourced flavonoid with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this research, we investigated the potential protective role of apigenin against lead acetate (PbAc)-induced hepatorenal damage. Thus, this experiment studied the exposure of male Wistar Albino rats to apigenin and/or PbAc and their effects in comparison to the control rats. Apigenin administration decreased the levels of Pb and prevented the histopathological deformations in liver and kidney tissues following PbAc exposure. This was confirmed by the normalized levels of liver and kidney function markers. Additionally, apigenin inhibited significantly oxidative reactions through upregulating Nrf2 and HO-1, and activating their downstreamed antioxidants accompanied by a marked depletion of pro-oxidants. Moreover, apigenin decreased the elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited cell loss in liver and kidney tissues in response to PbAc intoxication in both tissues. The obtained results demonstrated that apigenin could be used to attenuate the molecular, biochemical, and histological alterations associated with Pb exposure due to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.     

Pre-Breeding Genetic Diversity Assessment of Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.) Cultivars Based on Molecular,Morphological and Physicochemical Parameters

Appropriate knowledge of the parental cultivars is a pre-requisite for a successful breeding program. This study characterized fruit yield, quality attributes, and molecular variations of ten tomato cultivars during three consecutive generations under greenhouse conditions. Peto 86, Castle Rock, and Red Star cultivars showed the highest fruit yield (kg/plant), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and sap acidity. Principal component analysis categorized the evaluated fruit yield into three groups based on their quality attributes. A robust positive correlation appeared among traits inside each group. A positive correlation was likewise noticed between the first and the second groups. However, a negative correlation was detected between the first, the second and the third group. Molecular profiling, using seven inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers, produced 60 loci, including 49 polymorphic loci. The molecular analysis also pinpointed the highest genetic similarity (0.92) between P73 and Moneymaker, while the lowest genetic similarity (0.46) was observed between Castle Rock and Moneymaker. The cultivars P73 and Moneymaker showed the lowest genetic distance (2.24), while the highest genetic distance (5.92) was observed between Super Marmand and Peto86, on the one hand, and between Castle Rock and Moneymaker, on the other hand. The chemical analysis of fruit sap indicated the highest levels of TPC, total flavonoids, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids in Peto 86 and Castle Rock cultivars. Phylogeny analysis of tomato cultivars based on morphological and molecular attributes indicated four distinct clades. Peto 86, Castle Rock, and Red star cultivars can be recommended for the tomato hybridization breeding programs in the future, with other tomato cultivars as potentially high-yielding parents.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Lutidinium Ionic Liquid-Supported Vanadylsalicylaldoxime Complex for Catalytic Application in Epoxidation Reaction

A new chelating task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL), lutidinium-based salicylaldoxime ( LSOH ), and its square pyramidal vanadyl(II) complex (VO(LSO)₂) have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized using elemental (CHN), spectral, and thermal analyses. The catalytic activity of the lutidinium-salicylaldoxime complex (VO(LSO)₂) in the alkene epoxidation reactions was studied under various reaction conditions, such as solvent effect, alkene/oxidant molar ratio, pH, reaction temperature, reaction time, and the catalyst dose. The results demonstrated that the CHCl₃ solvent, 1 : 3 of the cyclohexene/H₂O₂ ratio, pH 8, temperature of 340 K, and catalyst dose of 0.012 mmol are assigned as the optimum conditions for achieving maximum catalytic activity for VO(LSO)₂. Moreover, the VO(LSO)₂ complex has the potential for application in the effective and selective epoxidation of alkenes. Notably, under optimal VO(LSO)₂ conditions, cyclic alkenes convert more efficiently to their corresponding epoxides than linear alkenes.     

Nitrogen-fixing bacillus species from Egyptian soils: Acetylene reduction and cultural conditions

Summary Among 390 isolates from Egytiian soils initially grown on Brown's N-free agar, 15 facultative Bacillus isolates were able to reduce acetylene in Stanier's N-poor broth under both aerobic and anaerobic (N₂ atmosphere) conditions. Some of these isolates were Gram-positive, with unswollen sporangia and thin-walled endospores. Other strains were with slightly or definitely bulged sporangia. Yeast extract (0.01%) was essential for growth stimulation and N₂[C₂H₂] fixation by these isolates. Replacing yeast extract with 20 g/ml (NH₄)₂SO₄ or biotin, thiamine and amino acids (singly or in combination) resulted in stimulation of growth and N₂[C₂H₂] fixation, though at lower rates than in yeast extract.One isolate was able to grow and reduce C₂H₂ in Stanier's N-free liquid medium. Nitrogenase [C₂H₂] activity of the anaerobically grown and incubated cultures was greater than aerobic cultures. Addition of 0.1% CaCO₃ to the culture media significantly increased and O₂ partially inhibited, N₂[C₂H₂] fixation by these Bacillus isolates.Studies of the characteristics and N₂[C₂H₂] fixing activities of these isolates indicate that at least some of them are new nitrogen-fixingBacillus species.     

Continuous cultures of tomato and citron roots in vitro

Summary Initial trials with tomato-root cultures disclosed the desirability of employing a gently agitated liquid medium containing iron in the chelated form. For the normal cultivars “Ace” and “Tropic”, subcultures were best achieved by utilizing sectors that possessed one or more newly emerged laterals. Continuous cultures of a nonlateral-forming tomato mutant, “Diageotropica”, and of citron were accomplished by subculturing tips of the elongating primary roots. The tomato roots were cultured in White's medium with the Fe₂(SO₄)₃ replaced by 0.03 mM NaFeEDTA. Sustained growth of citron-root tips necessitated the use of a medium containing Murashige and Skoog salts, 7.5% sucrose, 100 mg per I each of citric acid and thiamine HCl, and 5000 mg per li-inositol. The success with citron-root cultures was extendable to all cultivars ofC. medica L., but not to otherCitrus species relatives. Both citron and “Diageotropica” root cultures manifested undiminished elongation through repeated subcultures; but neither produced laterals in response to any cultural treatments. Research was supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant OIP75-10390 and Elvenia J. Slosson Fellowship in Ornamental Horticulture.     

Reaction of dehydro-d-erythorbic acid and its aryl analogs with ortho-diamines

Condensation of 3-(d-erythro -2,3,4-trihydroxy-l-oxobutyl)-2-quinoxalinone and its 6-chloro derivative (obtained by the reaction of d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone with ortho-diamines) with aryl- or aroyl-hydrazines gave 3-[l-(phenylhydrazono)-d-erythro-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl]-2-quinoxalinone (5) and relatives. Whereas boiling acetic anhydride causes the loss of two molecules of water per molecule of such hydrazones, affording, the 3-[5-(acetoxymethyl)-l-arylpyrazol-3-yl]-2-quinoxalinones, identical with those obtained from the l-threo isomer, alkali causes the loss of only one molecule, affording, the corresponding flavazoles. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave 3-[l-(phenylhydrazono)glyoxal-l-yl]-2-quinoxalinone, which afforded the corresponding mixed bis(hydrazones). A similar sequence of reactions was conducted with the aryl analogs, 4-phenyl-2,3-dioxobutano-1,4-lactone and its p-chlorophenyl derivative, whereby the 3-[2-aryl-l-(arylhydrazono)-2-hydroxyethyl]2-quinoxalinones, were prepared; these were transformed into 3-(α-hydroxybenzyl)-flavazoles that gave monoacetyl derivatives.     

C-(polyacetoxy)alkyloxadiazolines and related compounds

The (phenylacetyl)hydrazones of d-galactose, d-glucose, d-mannose, d-arabinose, l-arabinose, d-xylose, and l-sorbose were prepared. The d-galactose and d-arabinose derivatives were converted into their per-O-acetylated derivatives (8 and 9, respectively). The acyclic structure of 8 was proved from its direct preparation by the condensation of(phenylacetyl)hydrazine with penta-O-acetyl-aldehydo-d-galactose. Cyclization of 2,3,4,5,6-penta-O-acetyl-aldehydo-d-galactose (phenylacetyl)hydrazone with boiling acetic anhydride yielded a mixture of two products that could be separated by fractional recrystallization, to give 3-acetyl-5-benzyl-2-(polyacetoxy)alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines; a mechanism for the reaction was proposed. The n.m.r. and mass spectra of some of these derivatives were discussed.     

Simulating the effect of evaluation unit size on eligibility to stop mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in Haiti

BackgroundThe Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) is a decision-making tool to determine when transmission of lymphatic filariasis is presumed to have reached a level low enough that it cannot be sustained even in the absence of mass drug administration. The survey is applied over geographic areas, called evaluation units (EUs); existing World Health Organization guidelines limit EU size to a population of no more than 2 million people.Methodology/Principal findingsIn 2015, TASs were conducted in 14 small EUs in Haiti. Simulations, using the observed TAS results, were performed to understand the potential programmatic impact had Haiti chosen to form larger EUs. Nine “combination-EUs” were formed by grouping adjacent EUs, and bootstrapping was used to simulate the expected TAS results.When the combination-EUs were comprised of at least one “passing” and one “failing” EU, the majority of these combination-EU would pass the TAS 79% - 100% of the time. Even in the case when both component EUs had failed, the combination-EU was expected to “pass” 11% of the time.Simulations of mini-TAS, a strategy with smaller power and hence smaller sample size than TAS, resulted in more conservative “passing” and “failing” when implemented in original EUs.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results demonstrate the high potential for misclassification when the average prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in the combined areas differs with regards to the TAS threshold. Of particular concern is the risk of “passing” larger EUs that include focal areas where prevalence is high enough to be potentially self-sustaining. Our results reaffirm the approach that Haiti took in forming smaller EUs. Where baseline or monitoring data show a high or heterogeneous prevalence, programs should leverage alternative strategies like mini-TAS in smaller EUs, or consider gathering additional data through spot check sites to advise EU formation.