Differential Transcriptomic Profiles Following Stimulation with Lipopolysaccharide in Intestinal Organoids from Dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Intestinal Mast Cell Tumor

Simple Summary

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from intestinal bacteria is linked to long-lasting inflammation that contributes to the development of intestinal cancer. While much research has been performed on the interplay between LPS and intestinal immune cells, little is known about how LPS influences intestinal epithelial cell structure and function. In this study, we investigated the effects of LPS on the proliferation and function of genes in intestinal organoids derived from dogs with gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal mast cell tumor. The goal of this study was to evaluate how LPS affects signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells to influence development of a pro-tumor-like environment. Using an ex vivo model system, LPS incubation of organoids activated cancer-causing genes and accelerated the formation of IBD organoids derived from the small and large intestines. In brief, the crosstalk that occurs between the LPS/TLR4 signal transduction pathway and several different metabolic pathways, including primary bile acid biosynthesis and secretion, peroxisome, renin-angiotensin system, glutathione metabolism, and arachidonic acid pathways, may play a prominent role in the development of chronic intestinal inflammation and intestinal cancer.

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is associated with chronic intestinal inflammation and promotes intestinal cancer progression in the gut. While the interplay between LPS and intestinal immune cells has been well-characterized, little is known about LPS and the intestinal epithelium interactions. In this study, we explored the differential effects of LPS on proliferation and the transcriptome in 3D enteroids/colonoids obtained from dogs with naturally occurring gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal mast cell tumor. The study objective was to analyze the LPS-induced modulation of signaling pathways involving the intestinal epithelia and contributing to colorectal cancer development in the context of an inflammatory (IBD) or a tumor microenvironment. While LPS incubation resulted in a pro-cancer gene expression pattern and stimulated proliferation of IBD enteroids and colonoids, downregulation of several cancer-associated genes such as Gpatch4, SLC7A1, ATP13A2, and TEX45 was also observed in tumor enteroids. Genes participating in porphyrin metabolism (CP), nucleocytoplasmic transport (EEF1A1), arachidonic acid, and glutathione metabolism (GPX1) exhibited a similar pattern of altered expression between IBD enteroids and IBD colonoids following LPS stimulation. In contrast, genes involved in anion transport, transcription and translation, apoptotic processes, and regulation of adaptive immune responses showed the opposite expression patterns between IBD enteroids and colonoids following LPS treatment. In brief, the crosstalk between LPS/TLR4 signal transduction pathway and several metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid biosynthesis and secretion, peroxisome, renin–angiotensin system, glutathione metabolism, and arachidonic acid pathways may be important in driving chronic intestinal inflammation and intestinal carcinogenesis.

Association of Anti-TPO Antibodies with Insulin Resistance in Patients of Hypothyroidism with Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hypothyroidism and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) are associated with insulin resistance. Exact reason for development of insulin resistance in hypothyroidism is still unclear. Aim: To determine the association between Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (Anti-TPO Abs) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) with components of MetS, Fasting Insulin (FSI) and Homeostatic Model Assessment Index for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Materials and Methods: Total 118 subjects of hypothyroidism were included in this cross-sectional study. The diagnosis of MetS was made based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Independent association of components of MetS, FSI and HOMA-IR with TSH and anti-TPO Abs was analysed by multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: MetS was more prevalent in subclinical hyperthyroidism (53.0%) compared to overt hypothyroidism (49.3%). Serum anti-TPO Abs level was significantly high in MetS group compared to non-MetS group in both overt (200.0±170.2 and 122.8±98.9, p=0.02*) and subclinical (184.9±142.9 and 114.5±90.9, p=0.04*) hyperthyroidism. Waist Circumference (WC), Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), FSI and HOMA-IR were independently associated with anti-TPO Abs in both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Anti-TPO was also increased significantly in linear trend along with increased in the number of MetS components in both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: MetS is highly prevalent in hypothyroidism and anti-TPO Abs rather than TSH and is more associated with insulin resistance in patients of hypothyroidism with MetS.

Microbiota-Related Changes in Unconjugated Fecal Bile Acids Are Associated With Naturally Occurring, Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs

Diabetes mellitus (DM) in humans has recently been associated with altered intestinal microbiota. The consequences of intestinal dysbiosis, such as increased intestinal permeability and altered microbial metabolites, are suspected to contribute to the host inflammatory state and peripheral insulin resistance. Human diabetics have been shown to have changes in bile acid (BA) metabolism which may be detrimental to glycemic control. The purpose of this study was to examine BA metabolism in dogs with naturally-occurring, insulin-dependent DM and to relate these findings to changes in the intestinal microbiota. A prospective observational study of adult dogs with a clinical diagnosis of DM (n = 10) and healthy controls (HC, n = 10) was performed. The fecal microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene next-generation (Illumina) sequencing. Concentrations of fecal unconjugated BA (fUBA) were measured using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Analysis of bacterial communities showed no significant difference for any of the alpha-diversity measures between DM vs. HC dogs. Principal coordinate analysis based on unweighted Unifrac distance metric failed to show significant clustering between dog groups (ANOSIM_Unweighted: R = 0.084; p = 0.114). However, linear discriminate analysis effects size (LEfSe) detected differentially abundant bacterial taxa (α = 0.01, LDA score >2.0) on various phylogenetic levels. While Enterobacteriaceae was overrepresented in dogs with DM, the proportions of Erysipelotrichia, Mogibacteriaceae, and Anaeroplasmataceae were increased in HC dogs. Dogs with DM had increased concentration of total primary fUBA compared to HC dogs (p = 0.028). The concentrations of cholic acid and the cholic acid percentage of the total fUBA were increased (p = 0.028 and p = 0.035, respectively) in the feces of DM dogs relative to HC dogs. The levels of lithocholic acid (both absolute value and percentage of the total fUBA) were decreased (p = 0.043 and p < 0.01, respectively) in DM dogs vs. HC dogs. Results indicate that dogs with DM have both intestinal dysbiosis and associated fUBA alterations. The pattern of dysbiosis and altered BA composition is similar to that seen in humans with Type 2 DM. The dog represents a novel large animal model for advancing translational medicine research efforts (e.g., investigating pathogenesis and therapeutics) in DM affecting humans.

Derivation of adult canine intestinal organoids for translational research in gastroenterology

Background

Large animal models, such as the dog, are increasingly being used for studying diseases including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Dogs share similar environmental, genomic, anatomical, and intestinal physiologic features with humans. To bridge the gap between commonly used animal models, such as rodents, and humans, and expand the translational potential of the dog model, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) canine GI organoid (enteroid and colonoid) system. Organoids have recently gained interest in translational research as this model system better recapitulates the physiological and molecular features of the tissue environment in comparison with two-dimensional cultures.

Results

Organoids were derived from tissue of more than 40 healthy dogs and dogs with GI conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal carcinomas. Adult intestinal stem cells (ISC) were isolated from whole jejunal tissue as well as endoscopically obtained duodenal, ileal, and colonic biopsy samples using an optimized culture protocol. Intestinal organoids were comprehensively characterized using histology, immunohistochemistry, RNA in situ hybridization, and transmission electron microscopy, to determine the extent to which they recapitulated the in vivo tissue characteristics. Physiological relevance of the enteroid system was defined using functional assays such as optical metabolic imaging (OMI), the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function assay, and Exosome-Like Vesicles (EV) uptake assay, as a basis for wider applications of this technology in basic, preclinical and translational GI research. We have furthermore created a collection of cryopreserved organoids to facilitate future research.

Conclusions

We establish the canine GI organoid systems as a model to study naturally occurring intestinal diseases in dogs and humans, and that can be used for toxicology studies, for analysis of host-pathogen interactions, and for other translational applications.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-019-0652-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluation of Metabolic Syndrome and Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Male Factor Infertility

Male factor infertility (MFI) is a growing health issue in society. The vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) is expressed in many tissues and modulates expression of several other genes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between MetSyn, VDR gene (FokI, rs-2228570; C > T) polymorphisms and MFI in Indian adults. Fifty cases and fifty-four controls, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included with their informed consent. Fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, HDL-C were estimated by clinical chemistry analyzer (Beckmam Coulter DXC 800, USA). Serum insulin was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and VDR gene polymorphism by RFLP-PCR. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20.0. MetSyn was more frequent in MFI cases than controls. There was significant difference between waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides in MFI cases and controls. There was significant difference in HOMA-IR between MFI cases and controls (p value < 0.05) and serum insulin was significantly raised in MFI cases (p value < 0.05). VDR gene polymorphism was found to be associated with MFI cases as compared to controls and the serum level of vitamin D was also decreased in MFI cases than in controls (p value < 0.05). This study provides evidence that insulin resistance is more in MFI cases than in controls and occurrence of MetSyn and its components is higher in MFI cases than in controls. Our findings provide evidence that VDR gene (FokI, rs-2228570; C > T) polymorphism increases the risk of male factor infertility.

Assessing extent of single stranded DNA damage in oral mucosal cells of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with TNM staging

CONTEXT

This study was carried out on the assumption that oral mucosal cells might show DNA damage in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

AIMS

To evaluate the extent of DNA damage in oral smears of patients with OSCC and determine correlation if any of the extent of DNA damage to TNM staging of oral cancer.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A randomized controlled study at a regional cancer centre was designed for this project. Smears were taken from lesion proper of 30 patients with OSCC and from the buccal mucosa of 30 normal healthy volunteers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collected cells were centrifuged and single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was performed. DNA damage was visualized under a fluorescent microscope. Statistical analysis used : Mean DNA damage levels of both the groups were measured and statistically analyzed with students' test. The extent of DNA damage was correlated with the TNM stages by employing the one way ANOVA 'F' technique.

RESULTS

High statistical significance (P < 0.0001) was found in DNA damage levels between control and study groups. A stepwise increase in DNA damage levels with high statistical significance (P < 0.005) was also found between all the TNM stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Statistically significant increased DNA damage levels in OSCC patients and their correlation to clinical staging suggest that comet assay may be used effectively to assess the prognosis of OSCC.

Adenosine deaminase activity in sera of patients with visceral leishmaniasis in Nepal

This longitudinal study was conducted in BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), a Medical University situated in eastern Nepal, between May 2001 and December 2001. The main objective of the study was to identify the role of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) for management. There was a significant increase in mean ADA activity in sera of 49 patients with VL (323.71±184.51 IU/L) compared with 50 samples of control groups (47.11±24.94 IU/L) from the same endemic area ( P<0.001). ADA activities were found to be significantly decreased (50.35±41.35 IU/L) in follow-up cases ( n = 19) after 30 days with sodium stibogluconate treatment at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day intramuscularly. The fall in the level of ADA (after treatment) in follow-up cases correlated with the cure of disease, as evident from improvement of vital signs and symptoms and the absence of Leishmania donavani bodies in the sera. The study therefore suggests the possibility of using human serum ADA as a convenient marker to evaluate the diagnosis of VL to support the clinical findings, especially in those settings where there is a lack of highly qualified personnel and diagnostic facilities.

Rugae pattern in a sample of population of Meerut - An institutional study

CONTEXT

Many studies on rugae pattern have been done on various samples of population, but no study has so far been done to assess the rugae pattern of population of western Uttar radesh, especially Meerut.

AIMS

This study was aimed to assess the rugae pattern in males and females of a sample of population of Meerut, which may be an additional method of determining gender when dealing with any crime or with mutilated bodies that have undergone damage beyond recognition.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A total of 100 Class I dentulous subjects, 50 male and 50 female patients reporting to the outpatient department of Kalka Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh were randomly selected with an age range between 20-30 years. Exclusion criteria were subjects >14 years of age, congenital malformations, previous orthognathic surgery, allergy to impression material, bony and soft tissue protuberances, active lesions, deformity or scars and trauma of the palate. Prior approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee was taken.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Alginate impressions of palate of selected patients were poured in dental stone and rugae pattern was identified and analyzed by a single rater employing Thomas and Kotze's (1983) method.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Two-sample t-test and Chi-Square tests were used for comparison of means and relationship between the attributes. A significance level of 5% was considered as critical value.

RESULTS

No significant difference was noted in total number or length of rugae between the genders. However, statistically significant difference in the circular type in males and converge type in females was observed.

CONCLUSION

Rugae pattern can be used as a method of differentiation between males and females to corroborate the findings of other methods such as anthropometric evaluation of the cranium and dental characteristics.

Pain in trigeminal neuralgia: neurophysiology and measurement: a comprehensive review

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is defined as sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing recurrent episodes of pain within the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. It is the most frequent cranial neuralgia, the incidence being 1 per 1,000,00 persons per year. Pain attacks start abruptly and last several seconds but may persist 1 to 2 minutes. The attacks are initiated by non painful physical stimulation of specific areas (trigger points or zones) that are located ipsilateral to the pain. After each episode, there is usually a refractive period during which stimulation of the trigger zone will not induce the pain. According to the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) guidelines on neuropathic pain assessment and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)-EFNS guidelines on TN management the neurophysiological recording of trigeminal reflexes represents the most useful and reliable test for the neurophysiological diagnosis of trigeminal pains. The present article discusses different techniques for investigation of the trigeminal system by which an accurate topographical diagnosis and profile of sensory fiber pathology can be determined. With the aid of neurophysiological recordings and quantitative sensory testing, it is possible to approach a mechanism-based classification of orofacial pain.

Evaluation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants' status in metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of physical conditions and metabolic abnormalities, commonly occurring together, that increases an individual's risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is associated with diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases while the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of MS is not clearly defined.

OBJECTIVES

The study aims to find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in faculty and staff members at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal and to evaluate oxidative stress levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

118 healthy participants working at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal were selected at random for this cross-sectional study and blood samples were collected for the estimation of the following biochemical analytes; fasting glucose; triglycerides; total cholesterol; high density lipoprotein cholesterol; Albumin; uric acid; Bilirubin; Malondialdehyde; Catalase; Glutathione peroxidase; Superoxide Dismutase; Glutathione; vitamin C; and lastly vitamin E. Results In this cross-sectional study, 39% subjects were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome , particularly in sedentary subjects. There was no difference in oxidative stress except significant rises in serum uric acid levels and catalase activity in subjects diagnosed with metabolic syndrome .

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is higher without oxidative stress in this study, which suggests that oxidative stress does not contribute to the pathogenesis of MS in otherwise healthy subjects.

Oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and management of HIV-related disease: Workshop 4A

The workshop considered 5 questions related to oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and the management of HIV-related disease, with a focus on evidence and challenges in resource-poor settings. First, are oral lesions unique with respect to geographic location or phenotype? Second, how useful would an oral lesion index be to predict HIV in resource-poor countries with no access to CD4 counts or viral load? Third, what are the latest methods and delivery modes for drugs used to treat oral lesions associated with HIV? Fourth, what is the role of the oral health care worker in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV? Fifth, what ethical and legal issues are to be considered when managing the HIV patient? The consensus of the workshop was the need for additional research in 4 key areas in developing countries: (1) additional investigation of comorbidities associated with HIV infection that may affect oral lesion presentation and distribution, especially in pediatric populations; (2) the development of region-specific algorithms involving HIV oral lesions, indicating cumulative risk of immune suppression and the presence of HIV disease; (3) well-designed clinical trials to test new therapies for oral lesions, new treatments for resistant oral fungal and viral diseases, effectiveness of therapies in children, and new drug delivery systems; and (4) the role of the oral health care worker in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV in various regions of the world.

White button and shiitake mushrooms reduce the incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis in dilute brown non-agouti mice

Exotic mushrooms have been used in ancient Chinese medicine due to their immunomodulatory properties for the treatment and/or prevention of chronic diseases. However, only limited data exist on the health benefits of white button mushrooms (WBM), the most common in the American diet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of WBM and shiitake mushrooms (SM) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) using a 2 x 3 factorial design in 8-wk-old female dilute brown non-agouti mice that were fed a control diet (n = 37) or the same diet supplemented with 5% lyophilized WBM or SM (n = 27) for 6 wk. CIA was induced by immunizing mice with 100 µg bovine collagen followed by 50 µg LPS on d 20 post-collagen injection. CIA was assessed by mononuclear cell infiltration, bone erosion, plasma IL-6, TNFα, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) concentrations. Compared with the control diet, WBM and SM tended to reduce the CIA index from 5.11 ± 0.82 to 3.15 ± 0.95 (P = 0.06) (median, 6-9 to 1-2) 31 d post-collagen injection. Whereas 58% of control mice had a CIA index ≥ 7, only 23% of WBM and 29% of SM mice did (P = 0.1). Although both types of mushrooms reduced plasma TNFα (34%, WBM; 64%, SM), only SM increased plasma IL-6 by 1.3-fold (P < 0.05). The CIA index was positively correlated with sICAM1 (r = 0.55; P < 0.05) but negatively correlated with TNFα (r = 0.34; P < 0.05). Whether mushrooms are beneficial for arthritis management remains to be investigated. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a possible health benefit of WBM in arthritis treatment.

Glycemic Status, Lipid Profile and Proteinuria in Diabetic nephropathy

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications of Diabetes Mellitus characterized by persistent albuminuria, elevated arterial blood pressure, a relentless decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. METHODS: In this study, urinary micro-albumin estimation was done in 177 diabetic patients. This study aims to ascertain association of glycemicstatus, lipid profile and proteinuria in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with nephropathy. RESULTS: Among 177 patients, 26 had frank proteinuria, 79 had micro-albuminuria and 72 were without proteinuria. Increased frequency ofproteinuria was seen in male than female. Micro-albuminuria and frank proteinuria was seen more in older age group. The multiple comparisons showed the significantly increased levels of urea, creatinine, fasting blood glucose in micro-albuminuria and overt proteinuria patients in comparison to without proteinuria. Glycated hemoglobin level was increased with the increasing age group particularly in overt proteinuric patients. CONCLUSIONS: The glycemic control, monitoring of lipid profile and early urinary protein estimation with better management may delay diabetic nephropathy or its further complications in diabetes mellitus.  KEYWORDS: diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, frank proteinuria, glycated hemoglobin, micro-albuminuria.

Glycemic status, lipid profile and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications of Diabetes Mellitus characterized by persistent albuminuria, elevated arterial blood pressure, a relentless decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

In this study, urinary micro-albumin estimation was done in 177 diabetic patients. This study aims to ascertain association of glycemic status, lipid profile and proteinuria in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with nephropathy.

RESULTS

Among 177 patients, 26 had frank proteinuria, 79 had micro-albuminuria and 72 were without proteinuria. Increased frequency of proteinuria was seen in male than female. Micro-albuminuria and frank proteinuria was seen more in older age group. The multiple comparisons showed the significantly increased levels of urea, creatinine, fasting blood glucose in micro-albuminuria and overt proteinuria patients in comparison to without proteinuria. Glycated hemoglobin level was increased with the increasing age group particularly in overt proteinuric patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The glycemic control, monitoring of lipid profile and early urinary protein estimation with better management may delay diabetic nephropathy or its further complications in diabetes mellitus.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in acute myocardial infarction and its impact on hospital outcomes

AIMS

To ascertain the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with acute myocardial infarction; to study the impact of the metabolic syndrome on hospital outcomes; and to find out the association of each component of the metabolic syndrome with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

SETTING

Coronary care unit, Department of Medicine, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.

DESIGN

Hospital-based cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 84 unselected consecutive patients hospitalized with AMI (diagnosed on the basis of WHO criteria) were categorized according to NCEP ATP III criteria.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data was analyzed by using the Student's t test and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Among the 84 AMI patients, 22 (26.19%) fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Patients with the metabolic syndrome were older (86% were >50 years of age) and females (27%) were more affected than males (25%). In-hospital case fatality was higher in patients having the metabolic syndrome (5/22) than in those without the syndrome (3/62). Among the five components of the metabolic syndrome, the triglyceride levels had the highest positive predictive value (62%) in AMI; this was followed by fasting blood glucose levels (55%).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is 26.19%; it is associated with high mortality; among its components, the triglyceride level has the highest positive predictive value in AMI patients.

Modeling the time-dependent water wave stability of human hair

The viscoelastic bending recovery of human hair is described by a hydro-rheologically complex, two-phase model, where the humidity dependence of the pertinent parameters as well as the effects of physical aging are known. Model calculations are conducted to assess the consequences of the time- and humidity-dependent bending recovery of human hair for the formation and the stability of the water wave. It is shown that a hair fiber that has been set in bending will achieve at 65% RH a recovery of about 50% after about ten times its storage time prior to release, if it is a non-aging material. However, aging drastically slows the recovery process so that it approaches an apparent "equilibrium," final recovery value of about 60%. The values of final recovery decrease linearly with water content, vanishing as expected at maximum water content, where the hair fiber is above its glass transition. The calculations further show that damage to the elastic modulus, attributed to the intermediate filaments, is expected to reduce recovery and thus enhance fiber set. The calculations demonstrate that it is in fact the phenomenon of physical aging that makes water waving a feasible and practically successful process for hair styling.

Erythrocyte glutathione status in human visceral leishmaniasis

A glutathione redox cycle is a major antioxidant defense system for the detoxification of reactive oxygen species within erythrocytes. Reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals are generated as a host defense mechanism for killing of engulfed Leishmania donovani, a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, are capable of damaging lipids and other biomolecules when produced in excess. Erythrocytes are most vulnerable to Reactive oxygen species. In present study we aimed to evaluate erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as an antioxidant and erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. The study included twenty-five Visceral leishmaniasis patients and they were followed up after their complete chemotherapy with antileishmanial drugs (sodium stibogluconate) for 30 days. Forty six age and sex matched healthy individuals were taken as controls. GSH levels in erythrocytes of visceral leishmaniasis patients were increased in spite of significant increased erythrocyte MDA as compared to controls. Whereas erythrocyte GSH and MDA levels of follow up patients were decreased as compared to patients before treatment groups. We concluded that visceral leishmaniasis patients are in oxidative stress which most likely induces the endogenous antioxidant such as GSH or its poor utilization by cells.

Oxidative stress in benign prostate hyperplasia

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is the common health problem in ageing male. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced more with advancement of age leads to oxidative stress. This study aims to assess Malondialdehyde (MDA), the marker of lipid peroxidation and vitaminic antioxidants e.g. alpha-Tocopherol (Toc) and Ascorbate (Asc) status in plasma of BPH patients. This is a case control study conducted in Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Dept of Surgery, BPKIHS. Forty eight (n = 48) confirmed patients of BPH and forty six (n = 46) healthy age matched controls were enrolled. Plasma MDA, Asc and alpha-Toc were estimated. Plasma MDA level showed 4.81 +/- 1.87 nmol/ml in BPH patients compared to 3.69 +/- 1.56 nmol/ml in healthy controls (p < 0.001). There were significant decrease in plasma alpha-Toc and Asc level which were 0.85 +/- 0.12 mg/dl and 0.93 +/- 0.13 mg/dl in BPH patients compared to 1.37 +/- 0.31 mg/dl and 1.44 +/- 0.38 mg/dl in healthy controls respectively. Inverse correlation of plasma MDA with a- Toc (r = -0.09) and Asc (r = -0.51) was found in BPH patients. There was mild elevation of PSA in BPH patients compared with control but was not statistically significant. Thus, our study showed the evidence of association of oxidative stress in BPH patients.

The effect of water on the glass transition of human hair

The glass transition of human hair and its dependence on water content were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The relationship between the data is suitably described by the Fox equation, yielding for human hair a glass transition temperature of T(g) = 144 degrees C, which is substantially lower than that for wool (174 degrees C). This effect is attributed to a higher fraction of hydrophobic proteins in the matrix of human hair, which acts as an internal plasticizer. The applicability of the Fox equation for hair as well as for wool implies that water is homogeneously distributed in alpha-keratins, despite their complex morphological, semicrystalline structure. To investigate this aspect, hair was rendered amorphous by thermal denaturation. For the amorphous hair neither the water content nor T(g) were changed compared to the native state. These results provide strong support for the theory of a quasi-homogeneous distribution of water within alpha-keratins.

Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 27 subjects suffering from tuberculous meningitis (TBM), 19 from bacterial meningitis, 10 from encephalitis, and 10 control subjects. The mean CSF ADA level was significantly raised (P < 0.001) in TBM patients as compared to other study groups. A cut-off CSF ADA level of > 5 IU/1 was considered for the diagnosis of TBM, and the test had sensitivity and specificity of 89 and 92 per cent, respectively. Overall, it was found to be a better test in comparison to any other single test for the diagnosis of TBM. Confirmed TBM patients had significantly higher CSF ADA activity when compared with clinical TBM (P < 0.01) and the levels did not differ significantly among different stages of disease. The ADA level in TBM cases had significant correlation with CSF cell count (P < 0.01), lymphocyte percentage (P < 0.02) and protein concentration (P < 0.02). Thus, the CSF ADA activity assay was found to be a simple, useful and rapid diagnostic test for the early recognition of TBM in children.

Serum immunoglobulin levels during contraceptive use of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate in Indian women: a preliminary study

This study was conducted to determine the effect of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) as a contraceptive on levels of serum immunoglobulins, total protein and albumin in Indian users. The recommended dose of 150 mg of DMPA by deep intramuscular injection was given to twenty parous women. Levels of serum immunoglobulins, total protein and albumin were measured prior to, and at one and three months after the injection. The levels of total protein and albumin remained unaffected. No significant changes were observed in the levels of IgA and IgM. IgG levels were increased in the first and third month after DMPA injection, and the increase in the first month was statistically significant (p = 0.019). While the serum levels of IgA, IgM, total protein and albumin were unaffected, the raised levels of IgG were indicative of improved humoral immunity in Indian DMPA users.

Postinfarct cardiac free wall rupture: the relationship of rupture site to papillary muscle insertion

The objective of this study was to examine for any relationship between the sites of papillary muscle insertion in left ventricular free wall (LVFW) and the site of LVFW rupture postinfarct. Twenty-five consecutive patients with LVFW rupture (12 men and 13 women, mean age 72.3 yr, range = 48 to 93) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute during the period of July 1, 1988 to 1992 were studied. Clinical charts were reviewed, and the Formalin-fixed hearts were re-examined grossly and microscopically. Each patient died of tamponade or after surgery for tamponade. Eight (32%) of the 25 infarcts were anteroseptal or anterior, 11 of 25 (44%) were lateral, and 6 of 25 (24%) were inferior or inferoseptal. Four (16%) of the 25 infarcts were less than 2 days old, 9 of 25 (36%) were 2 to 5 days old, and 12 of 25 (48%) were 5 to 10 days old. A separate pre-existent and healed infarct was noted in 36% of patients; however, rupture adjacent to these areas of old infarct occurred in only 8% of cases. In 15 of 25 (60%) cases, free wall rupture occurred in the lateral wall between and at the level of the two papillary muscles. In a further 5 of 25 (20%) cases, the rupture was beside one of the papillary muscles but in anterior or posterior walls. In 20 of 25 (80%) cases, the endocardial tear associated with the LVFW rupture was within 1 cm of the base of one of the papillary muscles as they inserted in LVFW.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity and C-reactive protein in tuberculous and partially treated bacterial meningitis

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity measurement and C-reactive protein (C-RP) detection were done in CSF of 27 tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 8 patients of partially treated bacterial meningitis, apart from routine biochemical tests. Both the groups had comparable CSF cell count, protein and sugar concentrations. The mean CSF ADA activity was significantly raised in TBM as compared to partially treated bacterial meningitis patients (p < 0.05). A cut-off ADA level < or = 5 IU/L and C-RP positively were used for differentiation of partially treated bacterial from TBM cases. Based on this, the sensitivity and specificity of ADA and C-RP were 62.5%, 88.9% and 75%, 100%, respectively. Since both the tests are simple and take lesser time to perform, they can be used as rapid diagnostic tests to remove diagnostic dilemma between the two diseases.

Potential cardiotoxicity with the use of DuP-941: a case report

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and pathological features of a patient with probable cardiotoxicity related to a newer chemotherapeutic agent, DuP-941.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A 42-year-old woman with metastatic breast carcinoma treated with only DuP-941 developed, and died of, heart failure for which no other explanation was apparent.

RESULTS

Clinically the patient's heart failure resembled that associated with anthracycline cardiotoxicity, as did the pathological features seen at autopsy.

CONCLUSION

DuP-941 is a new chemotherapeutic drug that may supplant some uses of the anthracyclines because the former may have less cardiotoxicity. This report suggests that in some cases DuP-941 may have cardiotoxic effects as well.

Maternal serum creatine kinase as a biochemical marker of tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of serum creatine kinase as a possible marker for diagnosis of tubal pregnancy.

METHODS

Five groups of patients were included in this prospective study: group A, 20 patients with tubal pregnancies; group B, 20 patients with missed abortions; group C, 20 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease; group D, 10 patients with acute appendicitis; group E (controls), 20 patients with normal pregnancies matched for age and gestation. Total creatine kinase levels were measured in the serum of all five groups.

RESULTS

Creatine kinase levels were found to be > or =75 IU/l in all patients with tubal pregnancies, which was significantly higher than in the other four groups (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that maternal serum creatine kinase can be an important biochemical marker in suspected tubal pregnancy.

Adenosine deaminase activity in typhoid fever

Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was determined in 41 patients of typhoid fever and 15 normal controls. The mean ADA activity was significantly raised in typhoid fever patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001). The peak enzymatic activity was observed in the first week of illness. Complicated patients had lower mean ADA activity at diagnosis as compared to uncomplicated group and they showed a rise in enzyme level during defervescence, repeated in a few cases. A significant correlation between serum ADA activity and lymphocyte percentage was found (r = 0.4245, p < 0.001). It is concluded that ADA activity in typhoid fever patients not only indicates immunity but also has a prognostic value.

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor properties of some metal complexes of 3- and 5-substituted salicylaldehyde 2-pyridinylhydrazones

Complexes of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pt(II) with 3- and 5-substituted salicylaldehyde 2-pyridinylhydrazones (XSPH, X = H, 3-NO2, 3-CH3O, 5-Br, 5-Cl, 5-CH3, or 5-NO2) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic moments (300-78 K), and spectral studies. On the basis of these studies a monomeric, high-spin, distorted octahedral structure for Mn(XSPH)2 and Fe(XSPH)2, a dimeric, high-spin, five-coordinate structure for Co(XSBH)Cl, a dimeric, low-spin, five-coordinate structure for Ni(XSPH)Cl and Zn(XSPH)(OAc), and a square-planar structure for M(XSPH)Cl.H2O (M = Cu(II) or Pt(II] complexes are suggested. The polycrystalline ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes are isotropic and suggest dx2-y2 ground state in square-planar stereochemistry. Mössbauer spectral results indicate distorted octahedral structure for iron(II) complexes. All the metal(II) complexes have been screened for their antitumor activity against P388 lymphocytic leukemia test system in mice and have been found to possess no significant activity at the dosages used.