Flexural and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Treated Coir/Pineapple Leaf Fibres Reinforced Polylactic Acid Hybrid Biocomposites

Polylactic acid(PLA)possesses good mechanical and biodegradability properties which make it a suitable material for polymer composites whereas brittleness and high costs limit its utilization in various applications.The reinforcement of natural fibres with biopolymers has been formed to be an efficient technique to develop composites having the ability to be fully biodegradable.This study concerns with the incorporation of various percentages of untreated and alkali-treated Coir Fibres(CF)and pineapple leaf fibres(PALF)in PLA biocomposites and characterizations of flexural,morphological and dynamic mechanical properties.Flexural properties showed that the treated C1P1 hybrid composites(C1P1A)displayed highest flexural strength(35.81 MPa)and modulus(5.28 GPa)among all hybrid biocomposites.Scanning Electron Micros-copy(SEM)revealed a behaviour of fibre-matrix adhesion in untreated treated biocomposites.SEM observation revealed good dispersion of the fillers in PLA.Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that C1P1A showed highest glass transition temperature(Tg)and storage modulus(E')while untreated C3P7 displayed the least Tg and E'.Overall findings showed that alkali-treated hybrid biocomposites(CF/PALF/PLA)especially C1P1A have improved flexural properties,dynamic and morphological properties over untreated biocomposites.Success of these findings will provide attracting consideration of these hybrid biocomposites for various lightweight uses in a broad selection of industrial applications such as biomedical sectors,automobile,construction,electronics equipment,and hardware tools.     

Molecular Phylogeography of Oncomelania Lindoensis (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae), the Intermediate Host of Schistosoma Japonicum in Sulawesi

Oncomelania lindoensis from Lake Lindu, Sulawesi, was characterizedfor genetic variation at 21 allozyme loci and compared withO. hupensis (China) and O. quadrasi (Philippines). Geneticdistances and interpopulation patterns of allele-sharing pointto a closer relationship between Sulawesi and the Philippines(Nei's unbiased genetic distances (D) averaged 0.50) than betweenSulawesi and China (D= 0.79). These data, coupled with a considerationof the geographic distribution of the genus, support the hypothesisthat the Sulawesi Oncomelaniaoriginated by avian-facilitated colonizationfrom the Philippines about two million years ago. Oncomelania from Sulawesi were originally described as subspecificallydistinct: Oncomelania hupensis lindoensis. However, the allopatricdistribution, unique alleles at five loci, and significant geneticdistances from congeners in Mindanao and elsewhere in the Philippinessuggest that this taxon should be distinguished as a full specieswithin the Oncomelania hupensis species group, namely: O. lindoensisDavis & Carney 1973. Comparison with published data on variationwithin quadrasi and in three Chinese subspecies of hupensisshowed that D values increase with taxonomic level in this speciesgroup. D averaged 0.15 (0–0.26) within Chinese subspeciesand 0.04 (0–0.13) within the Philippines, but was 0.30(0.20–0.45) between Chinese subspecies, and 0.48–0.80between the three species (hupensis, quadrasi and lindoensis).The genotypic cluster species concept and these multilocus geneticdistances can be used to help define species and subspeciesin these medically important snails. (Received 14 May 1997; accepted 20 April 1998)     

Serotype and PCR-fingerprints of Clinical and Environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans in Chiang Mai,Thailand

From May 1999 to April 2000, serotypes of clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans were studied in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. Three hundred and eighty-five environmental samples, of which 100 were dove droppings, 55 pigeon droppings and 230 eucalyptus flower, were collected from 7 Amphoes in Chiang Mai. C. neoformans was isolated from 45 of 100 (45.0%) dove dropping samples, 9 of 55 (16.4%) pigeon dropping samples and 2 of 230 (0.9%) eucalyptus flower samples. Serotypes of 56 environmental isolates and 75 clinical isolates of C. neoformans,obtained during the same period, were determined by the slide agglutination test. Fifty-six environmental and 74 clinical isolates belonged to C. neoformans serotype A (C. neoformans var. grubii), and only one clinical isolate belonged to C. neoformans serotype AD. The isolation of C. neoformans var. grubii from eucalyptus flower samples suggests contamination of avian droppings. PCR-fingerprinting, using (GACA)4 as a primer, discriminated 131 clinical and environmental isolates into 2 groups (group I and II). Seventy-five clinical and 54 environmental isolates were of group I, which had two major specific bands of approximately 1,250 and 960 base pairs. Two environmental isolates, one from pigeon excreta and the other from a eucalyptus flower sample were of group II, which had two major specific bands of approximately 1,180 and 500 base pairs.     

Opisthorchis viverrini: identification of a glycine-tyrosine rich eggshell protein and its potential as a diagnostic tool for human opisthorchiasis

A cDNA encoding a novel eggshell protein (OvESP) with high-glycine (49.2%) and -tyrosine (27.8%) content was cloned from the human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini. In the adult parasite, the RNA products of the OvESP gene are limited to the vitelline follicles. They have a size of 800 nucleotides and are already present in 2-week-old juveniles. Immune sera of hamsters, experimentally infected, and humans, naturally infected with O. viverrini, detect bacterially expressed recombinant OvESP (rOvESP). A rabbit anti-rOvESP antiserum only reacts with the shells of intrauterine eggs in tissue sections of the parasite. Comparison of rOvESP with the parasite's excretion/secretion products as diagnostic tools for human opisthorchiasis shows a higher sensitivity (0.82-0.48) and specificity (0.97-0.91) of the recombinant protein in the ELISA technique. But the observed weak cross-reactivity of immune sera from mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma mekongi, and Fasciola gigantica in Western blots of rOvESP indicates that the diagnostic quality of this protein might be compromised if infections by other trematodes are present.     

Laboratory and Clinical Predictors of Disease Progression following Initiation of Combination Therapy in HIV-Infected Adults in Thailand

BACKGROUND: Data on determinants of long-term disease progression in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are limited in low and middle-income settings. METHODS: Effects of current CD4 count, viral load and haemoglobin and diagnosis of AIDS-defining events (ADEs) after start of combination ART (cART) on death and new ADEs were assessed using Poisson regression, in patient aged ≥18 years within a multi-centre cohort in Thailand. RESULTS: Among 1,572 patients, median follow-up from cART initiation was 4.4 (IQR 3.6-6.3) years. The analysis of death was based on 60 events during 6,573 person-years; 30/50 (60%) deaths with underlying cause ascertained were attributable to infections. Analysis of new ADE included 192 events during 5,865 person-years; TB and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia were the most commonly presented first new ADE (35% and 20% of cases, respectively). In multivariable analyses, low current CD4 count after starting cART was the strongest predictor of death and of new ADE. Even at CD4 above 200 cells/mm(3), survival improved steadily with CD4, with mortality rare at ≥500 cells/mm(3) (rate 1.1 per 1,000 person-years). Haemoglobin had a strong independent effect, while viral load was weakly predictive with poorer prognosis only observed at ≥100,000 copies/ml. Mortality risk increased following diagnosis of ADEs during cART. The decline in mortality rate with duration on cART (from 21.3 per 1,000 person-years within first 6 months to 4.7 per 1,000 person-years at ≥36 months) was accounted for by current CD4 count. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low CD4 count or haemoglobin require more intensive diagnostic and treatment of underlying causes. Maintaining CD4≥500 cells/mm(3) minimizes mortality. However, patient monitoring could potentially be relaxed at high CD4 count if resources are limited. Optimal ART monitoring strategies in low-income settings remain a research priority. Better understanding of the aetiology of anaemia in patients on ART could guide prevention and treatment.     

Phenanthrene stimulates the degradation of pyrene and fluoranthene by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> sp. VUN10013

Pyrene and fluoranthene, when supplied as the sole carbon source, were not degraded by Burkholderia sp. VUN10013. However, when added in a mixture with phenanthrene, both pyrene and fluoranthene were degraded in liquid broth and soil. The amounts of pyrene and fluoranthene in liquid media (initial concentrations of 50 mg l⁻¹ each) decreased to 42.1% and 41.1%, respectively, after 21 days. The amounts of pyrene and fluoranthene in soil (initial concentrations of 75 mg kg⁻¹ dry soil each) decreased to 25.8% and 12.1%, respectively, after 60 days. None of the high molecular weight (HMW) polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) tested adversely affected phenanthrene degradation by this bacterial strain and the amount of phenanthrene decreased rapidly within 3 and 15 days of incubation in liquid broth and soil, respectively. Anthracene also stimulated the degradation of pyrene or fluoranthene by Burkholderia sp. VUN10013, but to a lesser extent than phenanthrene. The extent of anthracene degradation decreased in the presence of these HMW PAHs.     

The distribution of Mekong schistosomiasis, past and future: preliminary indications from an analysis of genetic variation in the intermediate host

Neotricula aperta is the only known intermediate host of Schistosoma mekongi which infects humans in Cambodia and the southern tip of Lao PDR. DNA-sequence data (partial rrnL, i.e., mitochondrial 16S large ribosomal-RNA gene) were obtained for 359 N. aperta snails sampled at 31 localities in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand. A nested clade analysis was performed to detect and evaluate any geographical patterns in the observed variation and to identify genetic subpopulations or clades. Coalescent simulations were used to compare different historical biogeographical hypotheses for N. aperta and S. mekongi. A coalescent based method was also used to provide maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) for effective populations sizes and historical growth and migration rates. Dates were also estimated for phylogenetic events on the gene tree reconstructed for the sampled haplotypes (e.g. the time to most recent common ancestor). N. aperta was found to be divided into two monophyletic clades, a spring-dwelling form of northern Lao PDR and a more widespread larger-river dwelling form of southern Lao PDR and Cambodia; this divergence was dated at 9.3 Ma. The populations with the largest estimated population sizes were found in the Mekong River of Lao PDR and Cambodia; these, together with those of the rivers of eastern Cambodia, appeared to have been the fastest growing populations. Dominant levels of gene-flow (migration) were apparent in a South to North direction, particularly out of seeder populations in the Cambodian Mekong River. The radiation of N. aperta into sub-clades across Cambodia and Lao PDR is dated at around 5 Ma. The findings suggest that historical events, rather than ecology, might best explain the absence of S. mekongi from most of Lao PDR. The public health implications of these findings are discussed, as are pointers for future studies and surveillance.     

Quantitative detection of the oil-degrading bacterium Acinetobacter sp. strain MUB1 by hybridization probe based real-time PCR

Quantitative detection of the oil-degrading bacterium Acinetobacter sp. strain MUB1 was performed using the SoilMaster^™ DNA Extraction Kit (Epicentre, Madison, Wisconsin) and hybridization probe based real-time PCR. The detection target was the alkane hydroxylase gene (alkM). Standard curve construction showed a linear relation between log values of cell concentrations and real-time PCR threshold cycles over five orders of magnitude between 5.4±3.0×10⁶ and 5.4±3.0×10² CFU ml⁻¹ cell suspension. The detection limit was about 540 CFU ml⁻¹, which was ten times more sensitive than conventional PCR. The quantification of Acinetobacter sp. strain MUB1 cells in soil samples resulted in 46.67%, 82.41%, and 87.59% DNA recovery with a detection limit of 5.4±3.0×10⁴ CFU g⁻¹ dry soil. In this study, a method was developed for the specific, sensitive, and rapid quantification of the Acinetobacter sp. strain MUB1 in soil samples.     

Identification and characterization of hydroxyquinone hydratase activities from Sphingobium chlorophenolicum ATCC 39723

Hydroxyquinol, a common metabolite of aromatic compounds, is readily auto-oxidized to hydroxyquinone. Enzymatic activities that metabolized hydroxyquinone were observed from the cell extracts of Sphingobium chlorophenolicum ATCC 39723. An enzyme capable of transforming hydroxyquinone was partially purified, and its activities were characterized. The end product was confirmed to be 2,5-dihydroxyquinone by comparing UV/Vis absorption spectra, electrospray mass spectra, and gas chromatography-mass spectra of the end product and the authentic compound. We have proposed that the enzyme adds a H₂O molecule to hydroxyquinone to produce 2,5-dihydroxycyclohex-2-ene-1, 4-dione, which spontaneously rearranges to 1, 2,4,5-tetrahydroxybenzene. The latter is auto-oxidized by O₂ to 2,5-dihydroxyquinone. The proposed pathway was supported by the overall reaction stoichiometry. Thus, the transformation of hydroxyquinol to 2,5-dihydroxyquinone involves two auto-oxidation of quinols and one enzymatic reaction catalyzed by a hydratase. The specific enzymatic step did not require O₂, further supporting the assignment as a hydratase. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a quinone hydratase, enhancing the knowledge on microbial metabolism of hydroxyquinone and possibly leading to the development of enzymatic method for the production of 2,5-dihydroxyquinone, a widely used chemical in various industrial applications.     

Enhanced Biodegradation of Anthracene in Acidic Soil by Inoculated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> sp. VUN10013

The ability of Burkholderia sp. VUN10013 to degrade anthracene in microcosms of two acidic Thai soils was studied. The addition of Burkholderia sp. VUN10013 (initial concentration of 10(5) cells g(-1) dry soil) to autoclaved soil collected from the Plew District, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, supplemented with anthracene (50 mg kg(-1) dry soil) resulted in complete degradation of the added anthracene within 20 days. In contrast, under the same test conditions but using autoclaved soil collected from the Kitchagude District, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, only approximately 46.3% of the added anthracene was degraded after 60 days of incubation. In nonautoclaved soils, without adding the VUN10013 inocula, 22.8 and 19.1% of the anthracene in Plew and Kitchagude soils, respectively, were degraded by indigenous bacteria after 60 days. In nonautoclaved soil inoculated with Burkholderia sp. VUN10013, the rate and extent of anthracene degradation were considerably better than those seen in autoclaved soils or in uninoculated nonautoclaved soils in that only 8.2 and 9.1% of anthracene remained in nonautoclaved Plew and Kitchagude soils, respectively, after 10 days of incubation. The results showed that the indigenous microorganisms in the pristine acidic soils have limited ability to degrade anthracene. Inoculation with the anthracene-degrading Burkholderia sp. VUN10013 significantly enhanced anthracene degradation in such acidic soils. The indigenous microorganisms greatly assisted the VUN10013 inoculum in anthracene degradation, especially in the more acidic Kitchagude soil.