DISC1 gene polymorphisms and the risk of schizophrenia in an Iranian population: A preliminary study

Background: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar illness are common psychological disorders with high heritability and variable phenotypes. The disrupted in schizophrenia 1 ( DISC1) gene, on chromosome 1q42, has an essential role in neurite outgrowth and cell signaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs6675281, rs2255340, and rs2738864) with schizophrenia disorder. These three SNPs were chosen as they had been used in most of the previous studies. Methods: In a case-control study of Iranian population for the first time 778 blood samples were collected including, 402 schizophrenic patients and 376 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using DNA extraction kit (BioFlux Co). The genotypes of rs6675281, rs2255340, and rs2738864 were detected by nested allele-specific multiplex polymersae chain reaction (PCR). Results: Our data revealed that the three SNPs are significantly associated with schizophrenia (rs2255349 C>T: confidence interval (CI), 2.115 to 3.268; P = 0.0000 OR: 2.629; rs2738864 C>T: CI, 1.538 to 2.339; P = 0.0000 OR: 1.897; rs6675281 C>T: CI, 2.788 to 4.662; P = 0.0009241 OR: 3.605). Through applying the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, we calculated the haplotype frequency, and finally performed haplotype analysis with Bonferroni correction and data preprocessing methods and the results showed rs66875281 to have the highest association. Discussion: Our findings primarily showed that DISC1 gene polymorphisms contribute to schizophrenia risk and have a significant association with this disorder among Iranian population. The strategy was found to be easy, rapid, specific, and consistent for the co-occurring detection of the DISC1 polymorphisms. We could finally confirm that the polymorphisms are related to schizophrenia studied in Iranian population.     

A comparative study of the characteristics of eIF-2 and eIF-2-ancillary factor activities from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rabbit reticulocytes

The characteristics of yeast eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) and Co-eIF-2A have been studied and compared with those of the corresponding factors from rabbit reticulocytes. 1) Unlike eIF-2r, purified eIF-2y did not contain bound GDP. 2) Purified eIF-2y preparation contained GTPase activity and dephosphorylated GTP to GDP. 3) An anti-eIF-2r preparation which predominantly precipitated the gamma-subunit (Mr 54,000) of eIF-2r also precipitated the larger subunit (Mr 54,000) of eIF-2y. 4) Unlike eIF-2r, ternary complex formation by eIF-2y was not inhibited by Mg2+. 5) Both Co-eIF-2A20y and Co-eIF-2r significantly enhanced Met-tRNAf binding to eIF-2y and, again, Mg2+ did not have any effect on this stimulated Met-tRNAf binding to eIF-2y. 6) Both Co-eIF-2A20y and Co-eIF-2r were similarly effective in stimulating Met-tRNAf binding to eIF-2r in the absence of Mg2+. However, in the presence of Mg2+, Co-eIF-2A20y was significantly less effective than Co-eIF-2r as Co-eIF-2A20y did not promote displacement of GDP from eIF-2r X GDP. 7) eIF-2y bound [3H]GDP and this binding was significantly enhanced in the presence of Mg2+. Also, [3H]GDP in the preformed eIF-2y X [3H]GDP complex was rapidly exchanged with exogenously added unlabeled GDP in the presence of Mg2+. Co-eIF-2A20y had no effect on GDP binding to eIF-2y nor on GDP exchange reactions. 8) Reticulocyte heme-regulated protein synthesis inhibitor, which phosphorylated almost completely (in excess of 80%) the alpha-subunit (Mr 38,000) of eIF-2r, also phosphorylated similarly the smaller subunit (Mr 36,000) of eIF-2y. However, such phosphorylation had no significant effect on ternary complex formation, GDP binding, and GDP exchange reactions.     

Avian epidermis contains ATPase- and Ia-positive Langerhans-like cells

Summary The occurrence of cells resembling mammalian Langerhans cells in the avian epidermis was studied by ATPase histochemistry, Ia immunoreactivity and electron microscopy. The existence of MHC class II antigen-(Ia) expressing, ATPase-positive dendritic cells, which are ultrastructurally similar to mammalian Langerhans cells except for the absence of Birbeck granules, was demonstrated. These cells may be a basic component of the immune system of birds.     

Value of stool examination in patients with diarrhoea.

Findings of stool examinations in 1593 patients with diarrhoea due to a single enteric pathogen--enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli rotavirus, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio cholerae 0:1, Entamoeba histolytica, or Giardia lamblia--were reviewed to determine how well they predicted the agent associated with the diarrhoea. Specimens were examined visually for blood and mucus, tested for pH, and examined under a microscope for the presence of red and white blood cells, parasites, and stool fat. Although visible blood was more common in specimens from patients infected with Shigella (51%) and Ent histolytica (39%) than in those from patients infected with other agents (6%; p less than 0.01), patients infected with Shigella were most likely to have numerous faecal leucocytes (greater than 50/high power field: 39% v 8% of all patients and 7% of patients infected with Ent histolytica, p less than 0.01 in both cases). Patients infected with enterotoxigenic E coli, rotavirus, V cholerae 0:1, or C jejuni had loose stools with fewer red or white cells. Patients infected with rotavirus and C jejuni were more likely to have acid stools with 3 to 4+ fat, but these findings were related to young age and breast feeding. Stool examination is most useful in establishing a diagnosis of dysentery and in helping to distinguish between patients infected with Shigella and Ent histolytica; it is of limited usefulness in discriminating between pathogens causing watery diarrhoea.     

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme of a filarial worm Setaria digitata: some properties and effects of drugs and herbal extracts.

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) and malic enzyme (mME) of a filarial worm Setaria digitata were studied. mMDH exhibited the highest activities in the oxidation and reduction reactions at pH 9.5 and pH 6.2, respectively, while mME did so in the malate decarboxylation reaction at pH 6.8. mME showed no detectable activity on the pyruvate carboxylation direction. The Km values for malate (1.7 mM) and oxaloacetate (0.17 mM) and the ratio of Vmax oxidation: Vmax reduction (2.73) tend to favor the oxaloacetate reduction by mMDH. mME showed a relatively high Km value of 8.3 mM, for malate decarboxylation. A drug, diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC-C), did not change appreciably the activity of either mMDH or mME, while filarin (a drug of herbal origin) effectively inhibited mMDH. The leaf extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Lawsonia inermis and Calotropis gigantea and leaf and flower extracts of Azadirachta indica were, however, found to inhibit both mMDH and mME.     

Potent beta-adrenergic antagonist possessing chemically reactive group

A highly potent beta-adrenergic antagonist based on the structure of alprenolol has been prepared by replacement of the isopropylamine residue of alprenolol by 1, 8-diamino-p-menthane (AlpM). The resulting mixture of isomers (AlpM) competes for occupancy of beta-adrenergic receptors in frog erythrocycte membranes with an apparent K_D of 210 pM. The bromoacetylated derivative of AlpM (BrAlpM) leads to an irreversible inactivation of the [³H]dihydroalprenolol ([³H]DHA) binding sites. Various adrenergic agonists and antagonists afford specific and stereoselective protection of the receptor against inactivation by BrAlpM. Tritiation of AlpM followed by bromoacetylation and chromatographic separation yielded two isomers, Br-1-AlpM and Br-8-AlpM of high specific radioactivity (～ 40 Ci/mmol). Both radiolabelled isomers interacted specifically and with high affinity with the beta-adrenergic receptor, but only a small amount of the ligands could be covalently incorporated into the receptor subunit. This agent provides a powerful new probe for studies of beta-adrenergic receptors in analogy with bungarotoxin for the nicotinic cholinergic receptor.     

Exploring Coal Biodesulfurization Potential of a Novel Organic Sulfur Metabolizing Rhodococcus spp. (Eu-32) – A Case Study

Coal is one of the most abundant nonrenewable fossil fuels, in Pakistan. However, in general, the quality of coal is too low to offset the practical, economic, and regulatory barriers to its utilization. High sulfur content comes up as one of the bottlenecks in productive usage of indigenous coal. Biotechnology can emerge as a panacea for upgrading the huge reserves of high sulfur coal. In current study, the sulfur removal potential of Rhodococcus spp. (Eu-32) was investigated using coal from Dukki, Baluchistan, Pakistan. Biodesulfurization process was optimized for various parameters and maximum decrease of 40% and 60% in total and organic sulfur contents, respectively were achieved in 15 days. The Langmuir and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of the biotreated coal were increased by 20 and 16 times, respectively. Scanning electron microscope showed higher tendency of attachment of bacterial cells to the coal particles. Our results revealed that Eu-32 could remove significant amounts of organic sulfur from coal and could be used in the pre-combustion operations with appropriate arrangements.     

Continuation of contraception following menstrual regulation--a Bangladesh experience

The study compares the 3 years of birth control practice of 1172 women who underwent early menstrual regulation (MR) and 499 others who accepted contraceptives only (nonMR) from an urban clinic in Bangladesh. About 60% of the women in the sample were followed-up and their all-method continuation rate was analyzed by life-table technique. The 3-year overall continuation rate in the MR group (64%) did not differ from that of the nonMR group (62%). In the age groups 25 and over, the continuation rate was higher in the MR group. Among the women who did not desire any more children, the continuation rate in the MR group was significantly higher than that of the nonMR group (80% versus 68%, P0.05). Of women with parity greater than 2, the MR group had significantly higher continuation rates than the nonMR group. The MR group had higher extended use-effectiveness for IUDs, conventional contraceptives (condom and foam), injectables, and oral contraceptives than the nonMR group. These findings indicated effective contraceptive practice following MR for this urban population. Easy availability of a multimethod service after MR seemed to be important in promoting effective contraception.     

Synthesize of β‐cyclodextrin functionalized dendritic fibrous nanosilica and its application for the removal of organic dye (malachite green)

Dye removal from industrial waste water has become an important issue. The highvisibility, undesirability and recalcitrance are the significant environmental problemfor the dyes. In the present work,β‐cyclodextrin functionalized KCC‐1 (KCC‐1‐NH‐β‐CD)was synthesized and utilized to the removal of hazardous malachite green. In order to study the morphology of the synthesized nano adsorbent, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were obtained from the surface of the sample. Additionally, the functionalization of KCC‐1 with β‐cyclodextrin was confirmed with Furrier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The textural property of KCC‐1 was verified using nitrogen adsorption/ desorption analysis (BET equation). UV‐Vis spectroscopy utilized for the investigation of malachite green by KCC‐1‐NH‐β‐CD. Specific surface area of the adsorbent was calculated to be 140 m²/g and it can be stated that the synthesized nano adsorbent has high removal efficiency. It should be noted that the adsorption capacity of the employed nano adsorbent was more than 95%, which could be attributed to high porosity of β‐cyclodextrin functionalized KCC‐1.