Comparison between Single Dose Azithromycin and Six Doses, 3 Day Norfloxacin for Treatment of Cholera in Adult

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of single dose Azithromycin (1 gram) in treatment of cholera in adults. A randomized, controlled clinical trial on 120 adults with acute watery diarrhoea and moderate to severe dehydration compared the efficacy of azithromycin (1 gram) single dose and Norfloxacin (400 mg) twice daily for three days in treating cholera. Data were analysed for 64 patients who were stool culture positive for Vibrio cholerae. In conjunction with rehydration therapy, 32 patients received Azithromycin and 32 patients received Norfloxacin. Patients in the two treatment groups had comparable clinical characteristics on admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Result shows Azithromycin and Norfloxacin has got almost similar efficacy in reducing stool output, duration of diarrhoea and fluid requirement in cholera positive cases.

Allosteric modulation of ligand gated ion channels by ivermectin

Ivermectin acts as a positive allosteric regulator of several ligand-gated channels including the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl), gamma aminobutyric acid type-A receptor, glycine receptor, neuronal alpha7-nicotinic receptor and purinergic P2X4 receptor. In most of the ivermectin-sensitive channels, the effects of ivermectin include the potentiation of agonist-induced currents at low concentrations and channel opening at higher concentrations. Based on mutagenesis, electrophysiological recordings and functional analysis of chimeras between ivermectin-sensitive and ivermectin-insensitive receptors, it has been concluded that ivermectin acts by insertion between transmembrane helices. The three-dimensional structure of C. elegans GluCl complexed with ivermectin has revealed the details of the ivermectin-binding site, however, no generic motif of amino acids could accurately predict ivermectin binding site for other ligand gated channels. Here, we will review what is currently known about ivermectin binding and modulation of Cys-loop receptor family of ligand-gated ion channels and what are the critical structural determinants underlying potentiation of the P2X4 receptor channel.

Dynamic layer rearrangement during growth of layered oxide films by molecular beam epitaxy

The A(n+1)B(n)O(3n+1) Ruddlesden-Popper homologous series offers a wide variety of functionalities including dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic and catalytic properties. Unfortunately, the synthesis of such layered oxides has been a major challenge owing to the occurrence of growth defects that result in poor materials behaviour in the higher-order members. To understand the fundamental physics of layered oxide growth, we have developed an oxide molecular beam epitaxy system with in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering capability. We present results demonstrating that layered oxide films can dynamically rearrange during growth, leading to structures that are highly unexpected on the basis of the intended layer sequencing. Theoretical calculations indicate that rearrangement can occur in many layered oxide systems and suggest a general approach that may be essential for the construction of metastable Ruddlesden-Popper phases. We demonstrate the utility of the new-found growth strategy by performing the first atomically controlled synthesis of single-crystalline La3Ni2O7.

Histochemical evaluation of catechins in PEG stressed transgenic tea plants using catechin-specific-diazotized sulfanilamide reagent

We investigated the applicability of catechin-specific-reagent (CSR) for histochemical evaluation of catechins. The diazotized arylamine moiety in CSR reacts specifically with the A-ring of catechins to yield a golden yellow complex. This makes it highly specific for spectrophotometric quantification of catechins. Therefore, microtome cut sections of untransformed and osmotin-expressing transgenic leaves and stem of tea were stained with CSR. We found catechins in the form of golden yellow globules. The catechin globules increased in the structurally intact and highly turgid cells of osmotin expressing transgenic tea plants after stress treatment with 20% PEG; by contrast, the cells in non-transgenic plants accumulated fewer catechin globules. Spectrophotometric quantification of catechins also confirmed higher levels in transgenics compared to untransformed plants. We found elevated accumulation of catechins in stress tolerant cells of tea leaves.

Adaptive expression of host cell wall degrading enzymes in fungal disease: an example from Fusarium root rot of medicinal Coleus

Quantity of extracellular proteins and activities two cell wall degrading enzymes pectinase and cellulase were determined in the culture filtrate of Fusarium solani, the causal organism of root rot of Coleus forskohlii. Substitution of carbon source in the medium with either pectin or carboxymethyl cellulose led to the increased production of extracellular proteins by the fungus. Pectinase and cellulase activity in the culture filtrate was detected only when the growth medium contained substituted carbon source in the form of pectin and CMC, respectively. Pectinase activity was highest after 5 days incubation and then decreased gradually with time but cellulase activity showed a steady time dependent increase. In vitro virulence study showed the requirement of both the enzymes for complete expression of rot symptoms on Coleus plants. Thus the present study established the adaptive, substrate dependent expression of the two enzymes by the fungus and also their involvement in the root rot disease of Coleus forskohlii.

Dengue: a growing menace -- a snapshot of recent facts, figures & remedies

Dengue is specially owing to inadequate water supply and poor solid waste management , which are favorable for multiplication of the main vectors including the Aedes ageypti coupled with lack of proven anti viral therapy and no proven efficient vaccine .there are many cases of both dengue shock syndrome and dengue haemmorhagic fever making it a major public health burden sending ominous signal resulting both rising morbidity & mortality, deleterious effect on DALY [disability adjusted life year] & QALY [quality adjusted life year] & though it affect all section of society ,still it affect the poor & underprivileged section more, thereby growing menace in public health in general & in developing countries in particular.

Hepatitis C as a potential cause of IgA nephropathy

This is a case report of a 16-year-old boy presenting with a history of oliguria and anasarca. Workup revealed marked proteinuria to the tune of 8 g/day. He was subsequently found to be hepatitis C positive. Genotype was hepatitis C virus type 6. Renal biopsy revealed mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with IgA deposits consistent with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Initiation of oral ribavirin and pegylated interferon caused a marked reduction in proteinuria after 8 weeks of treatment. It was postulated that hepatitis C manifested as IgAN. This case report thus sheds light on the possibility of an association between hepatitis C and IgAN.

Design and In Vitro Evaluation of Compression-coated Pulsatile Release Tablets of Losartan Potassium

In majority of individuals blood pressure rises in the early morning hours, which lead to serious cardiovascular complications. Formulation of pulsatile system makes it possible to deliver drug at definite period of time when symptoms of the disease condition are most critical. The purpose of the present work was to develop pulsatile release tablet of losartan potassium for chronotherapy in hypertension. The prepared system consisted of a core tablet coated with versatile and safe hydrophilic cellulosic ethers such as, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and sodium carboxy methylcellulose to produce burst release after predetermined lag time. Various formulation factors were studied through series of test and in vitro dissolution study. It was found that core tablets containing superdisintegrant failed to produce burst drug release pattern while effervescent agent was able to do so. Results also reveal that coating composition and coating level affects lag time. Formulation containing effervescent agent in core and coated with 200 mg hydroxypropyl cellulose provide lag time of 4.5 h with 73% drug release in 6 h that followed a sigmoidal release pattern. These values were close to the desired objective of producing lag time of 5-6 h followed by fast drug release. This approach can thus provide a useful means for timed release of losartan and is helpful for patients with morning surge.

The ribosomal DNA plasmids of entamoeba

In most organisms, the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes are highly repetitive and arranged as tandem repeats on one or more chromosomes. In Entamoeba, however, these genes are located almost exclusively on extrachromosomal circular DNA molecules with no clear evidence so far of a chromosomal copy. Such an uncommon location of rRNA genes may be a direct consequence of cellular physiology, as suggested by studies with Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants in which the rDNA is extrachromosomal. In this review, Sudha Bhattacharya, Indrani Som and Alok Bhattacharya summarize current knowledge on the structural organization and replication of the Entamoeba rDNA plasmids. Other than the rRNAs encoded by these molecules, no protein-coding genes (including ribosomal protein genes) are found on any of them. They are unique among plasmids in that they do not initiate replication from a fixed origin but use multiple sites dispersed throughout the molecule. Further studies should establish the unique biochemical features of Entamoeba that lead to extrachromosomal rDNA.

Influence of non-universal effects on dynamical scaling in driven polymer translocation

We study the dynamics of driven polymer translocation using both molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and a theoretical model based on the non-equilibrium tension propagation on the cis side subchain. We present theoretical and numerical evidence that the non-universal behavior observed in experiments and simulations are due to finite chain length effects that persist well beyond the relevant experimental and simulation regimes. In particular, we consider the influence of the pore-polymer interactions and show that they give a major contribution to the non-universal effects. In addition, we present comparisons between the theory and MD simulations for several quantities, showing extremely good agreement in the relevant parameter regimes. Finally, we discuss the potential limitations of the present theories.

(18)F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography in Multifocal Pyomyositis

¹⁸F-Fluoro-deoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings in a case presenting with pyomyositis are presented in this report.

Microbacterium immunditiarum sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from landfill surface soil, and emended description of the genus Microbacterium

A Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain SK 18T, was isolated from surface soil of a landfill site by dilution plating on trypticase soy broth agar. Preliminary characterization of strain SK 18T via biochemical tests, analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed it within the genus Microbacterium . Analysis of the cell wall indicated that the peptidoglycan was of cross-linkage type B, containing the amino acids lysine and ornithine and with muramic acid in the N-glycolyl form. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids of the cell membrane were anteiso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. These data further strengthened placement of the strain within the genus Microbacterium . Strain SK 18T shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.2 %) with Microbacterium ulmi DSM 16931T. Levels of similarity with the type strains of all other recognized Microbacterium species were less than 97.0 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments with strain SK 18T and its closest relative, M. ulmi DSM 16931T, revealed a low reassociation value of 39.0 % (σ = 3.8 %). Moreover, strain SK 18T showed a number of differences in phenotypic characteristics (colony colour, catalase activity, hydrolysis of polymers, acid production from sugars and oxidation of various substrates), and its DNA G+C content was also higher than that of M. ulmi DSM 16931T. These data indicated that strain SK 18T represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium , for which the name Microbacterium immunditiarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SK 18T ( = MTCC 7185T = JCM 14034T). An emended description of the genus Microbacterium is also provided.

Regulation of cell cycle checkpoint kinase WEE1 by miR-195 in malignant melanoma

WEE1 kinase has been described as a major gate keeper at the G2 cell cycle checkpoint and to be involved in tumour progression in different malignant tumours. Here we analysed the expression levels of WEE1 in a series of melanoma patient samples and melanoma cell lines using immunoblotting, quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. WEE1 expression was significantly downregulated in patient samples of metastatic origin as compared with primary melanomas and in melanoma cell lines of high aggressiveness as compared with cell lines of low aggressiveness. Moreover, there was an inverse correlation between the expression of WEE1 and WEE1-targeting microRNA miR-195. Further analyses showed that transfection of melanoma cell lines with miR-195 indeed reduced WEE1 mRNA and protein expression in these cells. Reporter gene analysis confirmed direct targeting of the WEE1 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) by miR-195. Overexpression of miR-195 in SK-Mel-28 melanoma cells was accompanied by WEE1 reduction and significantly reduced stress-induced G2-M cell cycle arrest, which could be restored by stable overexpression of WEE1. Moreover, miR-195 overexpression and WEE1 knockdown, respectively, increased melanoma cell proliferation. miR-195 overexpression also enhanced migration and invasiveness of melanoma cells. Taken together, the present study shows that WEE1 expression in malignant melanoma is directly regulated by miR-195. miR-195-mediated downregulation of WEE1 in metastatic lesions may help to overcome cell cycle arrest under stress conditions in the local tissue microenvironment to allow unrestricted growth of tumour cells.

Unifying model of driven polymer translocation

We present a Brownian dynamics model of driven polymer translocation, in which nonequilibrium memory effects arising from tension propagation (TP) along the cis side subchain are incorporated as a time-dependent friction. To solve the effective friction, we develop a finite chain length TP formalism, based on the idea suggested by Sakaue [Phys. Rev. E 76, 021803 (2007)]. We validate the model by numerical comparisons with high-accuracy molecular dynamics simulations, showing excellent agreement in a wide range of parameters. Our results show that the dynamics of driven translocation is dominated by the nonequilibrium TP along the cis side subchain. Furthermore, by solving the model for chain lengths up to 10^{10} monomers, we show that the chain lengths probed by experiments and simulations are typically orders of magnitude below the asymptotic limit. This explains both the considerable scatter in the observed scaling of translocation time with respect to chain length, and some of the shortcomings of present theories. Our study shows that for a quantitative theory of polymer translocation, explicit consideration of finite chain length effects is required.

Engineering gibberellin metabolism in Solanum nigrum L. by ectopic expression of gibberellin oxidase genes

Gibberellins (GAs) control many aspects of plant development, including seed germination, shoot growth, flower induction and growth and fruit expansion. Leaf explants of Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade; Solanaceae) were used for Agrobacterium-mediated delivery of GA-biosynthetic genes to determine the influence of their encoded enzymes on the production of bioactive GAs and plant stature in this species. Constructs were prepared containing the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) gene for kanamycin resistance as a selectable marker, and the GA-biosynthetic genes, their expression under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter. The GA-biosynthetic genes comprised AtGA20ox1, isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana, the product from which catalyses the formation of C(19)-GAs, and MmGA3ox1 and MmGA3ox2, isolated from Marah macrocarpus, which encode functionally different GA 3-oxidases that convert C(19)-GAs to biologically active forms. Increase in stature was observed in plants transformed with AtGA20ox1, MmGA3ox2 and MmGA3ox1 + MmGA3ox2, their presence and expression being confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively, accompanied by an increase in GA(1) content. Interestingly, MmGA3ox1 alone did not induce a sustained increase in plant height, probably because of only a marginal increase in bioactive GA(1) content in the transformed plants. The results are discussed in the context of regulating plant stature, since this strategy would decrease the use of chemicals to promote plant growth.

Reporter Gene Expression Patterns Regulated by an Ara h 2 Promoter Differ in Homologous Versus Heterologous Systems1

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally important crop whose seeds are widely used in food products. Peanut seeds contain proteins that serve a nutrient reservoir function and that also are major allergens. As part of an investigation to determine the effect of reducing/eliminating the peanut allergen Ara h 2 from seeds, gene sequence including upstream regulatory regions was characterized. The ability of regions upstream of the translation initiation site to regulate seed-specific expression of reporter genes was tested in peanut and Arabidopsis. Two independent transgenic peanut lines biolistically transformed with 1kb of DNA upstream of the Ara h 2.02 (B-genome) coding sequence controlling a Green Fluorescent Protein – β-glucuronidase (Gfp-Gus) fusion were obtained. All T1, T2 and T3 generations of transgenic plants showed the expression of GFP and GUS restricted to seeds and near background levels in vegetative tissues. However, constitutive GUS expression was observed in Arabidopsis transgenic lines, a heterologous system. It is possible that trans-acting factors regulating seed specificity in peanut are too divergent in Arabidopsis to enable the seed specific response. Thus, the promoter described in this paper may have potential use for expression of transgenes in peanut where seed-specificity is desired, but expression patterns should be tested in heterologous systems prior to off-the-shelf adoption.