Quantitative estimation of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells of islet tissue of pancreas in Australian mammals

Pancreases from three male and three female echidnas ( Tachyglossus aculeatus ), possums ( Trichosurus vulpecula ), grey kangaroos ( Macropus fuliginosus ), spinifex hopping mice ( Notomys alexis ) and water rats ( Hydromys chrysogaster ) were studied using a point-intercept method and Weibel graticule (Weibel, Kistler & Scherle, 1966) on sections stained by an immunoperoxidase method for pancreatic polypeptide (PP). PP cells were assessed in the head, neck, body and tail regions. There was a greater percentage proportion of PP cells in the head than in the other regions of echidna, possum and water rat. PP cells were not identified in grey kangaroo and spinifex hopping mouse, although control sections were positive.
These results show some agreement with a previously proposed hypothesis (Bonner-Weir & Weir, 1979) concerning the distribution of cell types in the mammalian endocrine pancreas.     

Production, Purification, and Characterization of Recombinant Human Hemoglobin Rainier Expressed inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Hemoglobin Rainier is a naturally occurring hemoglobin variant in which the β145 tyrosine is substituted with cysteine. The α and β^Rainierglobin cDNAs were cloned in a high copy number vector and expressed inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeunder the control of galactose-regulated hybrid promoters. Using this system, we have expressed individual α and β^Rainierglobin chains. Coexpression of both α and β^RainiercDNAs resulted in the production of a functional hemoglobin molecule. Purification of the recombinant protein was accomplished by ion exchange chromatography. The N-termini of the α and β chains were correctly processed, and the molecular mass, as determined by mass spectrometry, indicated amino acid composition identical to that of natural hemoglobin Rainier. The chromatographic properties of the recombinant hemoglobin Rainier were similar to human-derived hemoglobin A₀. The purified recombinant hemoglobin molecule was shown to have an elevated oxygen affinity and a reduced cooperativity as previously reported for natural hemoglobin Rainier. Production of recombinant hemoglobin and especially hemoglobin variants like hemoglobin Rainier has the potential to facilitate use of hemoglobin as a blood substitute as well as in specific applications, such as for use as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of hypotension associated with septic shock.     

Highly enhanced adsorption for decontamination of lead ions from battery wastewaters using chitosan functionalized with xanthate

Decontamination of lead ions from aqueous media has been investigated using cross linked xanthated chitosan (CMC) as an adsorbent. Various physico-chemical parameters such as contact time, amount of adsorbent, concentration of adsorbate were optimized to simulate the best conditions which can be used to decontaminate lead from aqueous media using CMC as an adsorbent. The atomic absorption spectrometric technique was used to determine the distribution of lead. Maximum adsorption was observed at both pH 4 and 5. The adsorption data followed both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Langmuir isotherm gave a saturated capacity of 322.6+/-1.2mg/g at pH 4. From the FTIR spectra analysis, it was concluded that xanthate and amino group participate in the adsorption process. The developed procedure was successfully applied for the removal of lead ions from real battery wastewater samples.     

Atherosclerosis,Oxidation and Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects younger women of childbearing age. Atherosclerosis is considered as a disease of the old and increases with the ageing process. Both diseases are characterized by the increased presence of activated macrophages and associated increases in growth promoting activity and the production of inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we propose that oxidative stress and the presence of forms of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) might contribute to both Atherosclerosis and Endometriosis.     

MicroRNA Regulation of Adipose Derived Stem Cells in Aging Rats

Background

Perturbations in abdominal fat secreted adipokines play a key role in metabolic syndrome. This process is further altered during the aging process, probably due to alterations in the preadipocytes (aka. stromal vascular fraction cells-SVF cells or adipose derived stem cells-ASCs) composition and/or function. Since microRNAs regulate genes involved both in development and aging processes, we hypothesized that the impaired adipose function with aging is due to altered microRNA regulation of adipogenic pathways in SVF cells.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Alterations in mRNA and proteins associated with adipogenic differentiation (ERK5 and PPARg) but not osteogenic (RUNX2) pathways were observed in SVF cells isolated from visceral adipose tissue with aging (6 to 30 mo) in female Fischer 344 x Brown Norway Hybrid (FBN) rats. The impaired differentiation capacity with aging correlated with altered levels of miRNAs involved in adipocyte differentiation (miRNA-143) and osteogenic pathways (miRNA-204). Gain and loss of function studies using premir or antagomir-143 validated the age associated adipocyte dysfunction.

Conclusions and Significance

Our studies for the first time indicate a role for miRNA mediated regulation of SVF cells with aging. This discovery is important in the light of the findings that dysfunctional adipose derived stem cells contribute to age related chronic diseases.     

Biohydrometallurgy for Nonsulfidic Minerals—A Review

Bioleaching is a technology applicable to metal extraction from low-grade ores, ore beneficiation, coal beneficiation, metal detoxification, and recovery of metals from waste materials. The technology is environmentally sound and it may lower operational cost and energy requirement. Whereas leaching of sulfidic minerals using chemolithoautotrophic bacteria is the most studied and commercially exploitable aspect of mineral biotechnology today, there is a dearth of literature on the dissolution of nonsulfidic minerals. Biohydrometallurgy of nonsulfidic minerals involves the action of heterotrophic microorganisms. Heterotrophic bacteria and fungi have the potential for producing acidic metabolites that are able to solubilize oxide, silicate, carbonate and hydroxide minerals by reduction, acidolysis and complexation mechanisms. It is an important aspect of biohydrometallugy that requires development to meet future needs.     

How Do Urban Indian Private Practitioners Diagnose and Treat Tuberculosis? A Cross-Sectional Study in Chennai

Setting

Private practitioners are frequently the first point of healthcare contact for patients with tuberculosis (TB) in India. Inappropriate TB management practices among private practitioners may contribute to delayed TB diagnosis and generate drug resistance. However, these practices are not well understood. We evaluated diagnostic and treatment practices for active TB and benchmarked practices against International Standards for TB Care (ISTC) among private medical practitioners in Chennai.

Design

A cross-sectional survey of 228 practitioners practicing in the private sector from January 2014 to February 2015 in Chennai city who saw at least one TB patient in the previous year. Practitioners were randomly selected from both the general community and a list of practitioners who referred patients to a public-private mix program for TB treatment in Chennai. Practitioners were interviewed using standardized questionnaires.

Results

Among 228 private practitioners, a median of 12 (IQR 4–28) patients with TB were seen per year. Of 10 ISTC standards evaluated, the median of standards adhered to was 4.0 (IQR 3.0–6.0). Chest physicians reported greater median ISTC adherence than other MD and MS practitioners (score 7.0 vs. 4.0, P<0.001), or MBBS practitioners (score 7.0 vs. 4.0, P<0.001). Only 52% of all practitioners sent >5% of patients with cough for TB testing, 83% used smear microscopy for diagnosis, 33% monitored treatment response, and 22% notified TB cases to authorities. Of 228 practitioners, 68 reported referring all patients with new pulmonary TB for treatment, while 160 listed 27 different regimens; 78% (125/160) prescribed a regimen classified as consistent with ISTC. Appropriate treatment practices differed significantly between chest physicians and other MD and MS practitioners (54% vs. 87%, P<0.001).

Conclusion

TB management practices in India’s urban private sector are heterogeneous and often suboptimal. Private providers must be better engaged to improve diagnostic capacity and decrease TB transmission in the community.