Age-related prevalence of antibodies to infective larvae ofWuchereria bancrofti in normal individuals from a filaria-endemic region

Antibody isotypic levels (IgM, IgE and IgG subclasses) to infective larvae (L₃) ofWuchereria bancrofti were measured in 104 normal individuals from a filaria-endemic region in Orissa. The titres of antibodies were considerably higher in adults (n = 25, 25.1± 3.8 year) than in children (n = 52, 7.1 ± 2.1 year). Young children (n = 14) less than four years were seronegative to all isotypes other than IgM, the sero-conversion to which was achieved in the children (n=15) by the age of 7.5±1.2 years. The prevalence of other isotypes increased with age and reached a maximum in early adulthood (18.6 ±1.6 years), which persisted in older adults (> 30 years). However, the increase in IgG₃ prevalence with age was less marked. IgG₂ was detected only after 10 years of age. Compared to the high prevalence (100%) of IgM, IgE, IgG₁, and IgG₂, in adults. IgG₃ and IgG₄ prevalences were low, 35% and 28% respectively. IgA level to L₃ antigen was found to be extremely low even in adults. These data indicate that the prevalence of L₃ antibodies was different for different isotypes and the acquisition of antibody response essentially followed an age dependent pattern.     

Binding of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin and rise of cyclic GMP in COLO 205 human colonic carcinoma cells

Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) was found to bind on the surface of human colonic (COLO 205) cells. The binding of [¹²⁵I]STa to cell membranes was found to be specific, reversible and saturable. Scatchard analysis of the equilibrium binding demonstrated a single class of binding sites with a K_d of 0.5×10⁻¹⁰ M. Autoradiographic analysis of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the specific incorporation of [¹²⁵I]STa into a single STa binding protein with a molecular mass of 95 kDa. Following incubation of COLO 205 cells with STa, a rise of intracellular cGMP was also evident.     

A centenary for bacterial spot of tomato and pepper

Disease symptomsSymptoms include water‐soaked areas surrounded by chlorosis turning into necrotic spots on all aerial parts of plants. On tomato fruits, small, water‐soaked, or slightly raised pale‐green spots with greenish‐white halos are formed, ultimately becoming dark brown and slightly sunken with a scabby or wart‐like surface.Host rangeMain and economically important hosts include different types of tomatoes and peppers. Alternative solanaceous and nonsolanaceous hosts include Datura spp., Hyoscyamus spp., Lycium spp., Nicotiana rustica, Physalis spp., Solanum spp., Amaranthus lividus, Emilia fosbergii, Euphorbia heterophylla, Nicandra physaloides, Physalis pubescens, Sida glomerata, and Solanum americanum.Taxonomic status of the pathogenDomain, Bacteria; phylum, Proteobacteria; class, Gammaproteobacteria; order, Xanthomonadales; family, Xanthomonadaceae; genus, Xanthomonas; species, X. euvesicatoria, X. hortorum, X. vesicatoria.Synonyms (nonpreferred scientific names) Bacterium exitiosum, Bacterium vesicatorium, Phytomonas exitiosa, Phytomonas vesicatoria, Pseudomonas exitiosa, Pseudomonas gardneri, Pseudomonas vesicatoria, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Xanthomonas cynarae pv. gardneri, Xanthomonas gardneri, Xanthomonas perforans.Microbiological propertiesColonies are gram‐negative, oxidase‐negative, and catalase‐positive and have oxidative metabolism. Pale‐yellow domed circular colonies of 1–2 mm in diameter grow on general culture media.DistributionThe bacteria are widespread in Africa, Brazil, Canada and the USA, Australia, eastern Europe, and south‐east Asia. Occurrence in western Europe is restricted.Phytosanitary categorizationA2 no. 157, EU Annex designation II/A2.EPPO codesXANTEU, XANTGA, XANTPF, XANTVE.     

Genetics and Genomics Interventions for Promoting Millets as Functional Foods

Several crops, including millets with immense nutritional and therapeutic values, were once a part of our regular diet. However, due to domestication and selection pressures, many of them have become marginally cultivated crops confined to a particular region, race, or locality. Millets are a perfect example of neglected species that have the potential to address both food and nutritional insecurities prevalent among the ever-growing global population. Starvation and malnutrition contribute to a large number of health-related issues, being the main reason behind the occurrence of most of the severe diseases worldwide. These constraints are repeatedly disturbing both the social and economic health of global society. Naturally, millets are rich in minerals, nutrients, and bioactive compounds, and these crops are less dependent on synthetic fertilizers, systemic irrigation, and pest/weed control. Given this, the review emphasizes the nutritional values, health benefits, processing techniques, and genomic advancements of millets. In addition, it proposes a roadmap for enhancing the utility and commercialization of millets.     

Galangin: A metabolite that suppresses anti-neoplastic activities through modulation of oncogenic targets

With the dramatic increase in cancer incidence all over the world in the last decades, studies on identifying novel efficient anti-cancer agents have been intensified. Historically, natural products have represented one of the most important sources of new lead compounds with a wide range of biological activities. In this article, the multifaceted anti-cancer action of propolis-derived flavonoid, galangin, is presented, discussing its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic effects in various cancer cells. In addition, co-effects with standard chemotherapeutic drugs as well as other natural compounds are also under discussion, besides highlighting modern nanotechnological advancements for overcoming the low bioavailability issue characteristic of galangin. Although further studies are needed for confirming the anti-cancer potential of galangin in vivo malignant systems, exploring this natural compound might open new perspectives in molecular oncology.     

Molecular docking analysis of phytocompounds from Acacia farnesiana with protein targets linked to bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract lung infection that causes bronchial inflammation. The known protein drug targets are peptidoglycan D, D-transpeptidase, and DNA topoisomerase 4 subunit A for bronchitis linked infections. These are the membrane associated macromolecules which takes a major role in the formation of cell wall membrane by synthesising the cross-linked peptidoglycan. Therefore, it is of interest to design molecules with improved binding features with these protein targets. Hence, we document the molecular docking analysis data of four phytocompounds from Acacia farnesiana having optimal binding features with these targets linked to bronchitis for further consideration.     

X-ray studies on crystalline complexes involving amino acids and peptides. XXXVI. Crystal structures of hydrated glycyl-L-histidine and L-histidyl-L-alanine complexes with oxalic acid.

The crystal structures of the complexes of oxalic acid with glycyl-L-histidine and L-histidyl-L-alanine were determined. The three crystallographically independent peptide molecules in the complexes have closed conformations. The terminal carboxyl group of the dipeptide and the oxalate ion in the Gly-His complex exhibit unusual ionization states and are connected by a symmetric O- - -O hydrogen bond. The peptide aggregation in the complex is almost identical to that in the corresponding semisuccinate complex and is similar to one of the predicted aggregation patterns for Ala-Ala, demonstrating that dipeptide aggregation is controlled primarily by main-chain interactions and is substantially unaffected by disturbing influences such as those arising from polar side chains, ions and water molecules. The peptide molecules in the highly pseudosymmetric crystals of the His-Ala complex, however, exhibit a hitherto unobserved aggregation pattern. Thus, in spite of the repeated occurrence of a few patterns, the possibility of the existence of new patterns needs to be taken into account.     

Effect of mitogenic factors extracted from fetal lung fibroblasts on the in vitro growth of melanocytes obtained from normal and vitiligo subjects

The effects of growth factors extracted from a newly established fetal lung fibroblast cell line (PMR-GF) on the melanocytes cultured from the Perilesional and dePigmented skins of vitiligo subjects and from normal healthy donors have been investigated. Melanocytes from normal subjects grown in the Presence of 10 ng/ml of 12-0-tetradecanoyl Phorbol l3-acetate and 10^-11 M cholera toxin grew exPonentially immediately after seeding the ePidermal cell susPensions. Exogenous addition of PMR-GF to these cells enhanced their growth rates. The Perilesional skin melanocytes of vitiligo subjects in most cases did not manifest any growth when cultured in the Presence of 12-0-tetradecanoyl Phorbol l3-acetate and cholera toxin. PMR-GF induced a brief burst of growth in these cells after a lag of 15 days. Vitiligo lesions gave rise to a few unPigmented dendritic cells that did not manifest any growth in the Presence or absence of PMR-GF. MorPhologically the Perilesional skin melanocytes of most vitiligo subjects, when cultured in 12-0-tetradecanoyl Phorbol l3-acetate and cholera toxin, aPPeared to be larger and hyPer-melanotic as comPared to those of normal individuals. In the Presence of PMR-GF these melanocytes aPPeared to be normal in size and less hyPermelanotiC. Our results indicate that the melanocytes from vitiligo subjects are defective and thus the basic defect in vitiligo could be with the melanocytes themselves.     

Immune response to an allergenic fraction ofSetaria digitata in human filariasis

A low molecular weight antigenic fraction has been isolated from saline-soluble extracts of cattle filarial parasiteSetaria digitata. This glycoprotein fraction (Fr III) which appears to have low phosphorylcholine content cross-reacted with infective larval (L₃) antigens ofWuchereria bancrofti. Binding of human chronic filarial serum with L₃ antigens could be inhibited partially by Fr III. The fraction elicited immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction in people living inWuchereria bancrofti endemic regions. The proportion of skin test positive cases was found to be highest in endemic normals in contrast to infected cases. IgE levels were however not different in chronic filariasis and in endemic normals (or in asymptomatic microfilaraemic carriers). On the other hand, specific IgG level was considerably enhanced only in chronic filariasis     

Temperature Dependent Alterations in the Pattern of Photochemical and Non-Photochemical Quenching and Associated Changes in the Photosystem II Conditions of the Leaves

The alterations in the PSII activity of leaves, subsequent toa mild or severe heat stress were characterized by monitoringthe Chl a fluorescence and thermoluminescence emission fromintact leaves. The Chl a fluorescence measurements were carriedout in leaves adapted to either ‘state I’ or ‘stateII’ since under these two conditions the photosyntheticapparatus is known to have distinctly different structure-functionrelationships. The pattern of Chl a fluorescence induction instate II-adapted leaves was different from that of state I-adaptedleaves due to the alterations in the extent of photochemical(q_Q) and non-photochemical (q_E) quenching during the time courseof induction. The pattern of changes in q_Q and q_E values wasalso altered by heat treatment depending on the severity ofheat stress; severe heat stress (47°C) suppressing theseparameters drastically. Mild heat treatment (42°C) did notaffect the ability of leaves to undergo state I to state IItransition whereas the severe heat stress totally abolishedsuch transition. The fluorescence and thermoluminescence characteristicsof the leaves that have been exposed to the severe heat stresssuggest that a large number of affected PSII units retain afunctional water-oxidizing complex at the donor side. (Received June 14, 1994; Accepted July 19, 1995)