Spatial heterogeneity in global atmospheric CO during the COVID-19 lockdown: Implications for global and regional air quality policies

The COVID-19 lockdown (LD) provided a unique opportunity to examine the changes in regional and global air quality. Changes in the atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) during LD warrant a thorough analysis as CO is a major air pollutant that affects human health, ecosystem and climate. Our analysis reveals a decrease of 5-10% in the CO column during LD (April-May 2020) compared to the pre-lockdown (PreLD, March 2020) periods in regions with high anthropogenic activity, such as East China (EC), Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), North America, parts of Europe and Russia. However, this reduction did not occur in the regions of frequent and intense wildfires and agricultural waste burning (AWB). We find high heterogeneity in the CO column distributions, from regional to city scales during the LD period. To determine the sources of CO emissions during LD, we examined the ratios of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) to CO for major cities in the world. This facilitated the identification of contributions from different sources; including vehicles, industries and biomass burning during LD. The comparison between CO levels during the LD and PreLD periods indicates a notable reduction in the global tropospheric CO, but no significant change in the stratosphere. It is found that CO emissions decreased during LD in the hotspot regions, but rebounded after the LD restrictions were lifted. This study, therefore, highlights the importance of policy decisions and their implementations in the global and regional scales to improve the air quality, and thus to protect public health and environment.

Adoption of cleaner technologies and reduction in fire events in the hotspots lead to global decline in carbon monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is not a greenhouse gas (GHG), but has the capacity to change atmospheric chemistry of other GHGs such as methane and ozone, and therefore indirectly affects Earth's radiative forcing of the GHGs and surface temperature. Here, we use the CO mixing ratio at 850 hPa from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) reanalysis and the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) satellite measurements for the period 2005-2019 to examine the spatio-temporal changes in CO across the latitudes. We find a substantial decrease in global CO, about 0.21 ± 0.09 ppb/yr (0.23 ± 0.12%/yr) with the TES data and about 0.36 ± 0.07 ppb/yr (0.45 ± 0.08%/yr) with the MOPITT satellite measurements during the study period. The highest CO decreasing trend is observed in Eastern China (2.7 ± 0.37 ppb/yr) followed by Myanmar (2.142 ± 0.59 ppb/yr) and South America (1.08 ± 0.82 ppb/yr). This negative trend in CO is primarily due to the decrease in biomass burning and stringent environmental regulations in the respective regions and countries. The sources including road transport that account for about 33.6% of CO emissions, followed by industries (18.3%) and agricultural waste burning (8.8%), might also be responsible for the reduction in CO due to adaptation of improved emission control technology and regulations in the past decade from 2005 to 2019. Therefore, the study provides new insights on the current trends of global CO distribution and reasons for recent reduction in global CO emissions, which would be useful for future decision-making process to control air pollution.

Search for Subsolar-Mass Binaries in the First Half of Advanced LIGO's and Advanced Virgo's Third Observing Run

We report on a search for compact binary coalescences where at least one binary component has a mass between 0.2  M_{⊙} and 1.0  M_{⊙} in Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo data collected between 1 April 2019 1500 UTC and 1 October 2019 1500 UTC. We extend our previous analyses in two main ways: we include data from the Virgo detector and we allow for more unequal mass systems, with mass ratio q≥0.1. We do not report any gravitational-wave candidates. The most significant trigger has a false alarm rate of 0.14  yr^{-1}. This implies an upper limit on the merger rate of subsolar binaries in the range [220-24200]  Gpc^{-3} yr^{-1}, depending on the chirp mass of the binary. We use this upper limit to derive astrophysical constraints on two phenomenological models that could produce subsolar-mass compact objects. One is an isotropic distribution of equal-mass primordial black holes. Using this model, we find that the fraction of dark matter in primordial black holes in the mass range 0.2  M_{⊙}<m_{PBH}<1.0  M_{⊙} is f_{PBH}≡Ω_{PBH}/Ω_{DM}≲6%. This improves existing constraints on primordial black hole abundance by a factor of ∼3. The other is a dissipative dark matter model, in which fermionic dark matter can collapse and form black holes. The upper limit on the fraction of dark matter black holes depends on the minimum mass of the black holes that can be formed: the most constraining result is obtained at M_{min}=1  M_{⊙}, where f_{DBH}≡Ω_{DBH}/Ω_{DM}≲0.003%. These are the first constraints placed on dissipative dark models by subsolar-mass analyses.

P–172 Data-independent acquisition-proteomics of human embryo-spent medium and identification of potential embryo biomarkers

Study question

Can human embryo-derived protein(s) serve as viability biomarkers to predict pregnancy outcome, post embryo transfer?

Summary answer

The human embryo-spent medium proteome, using data-independent acquisition (DIA) approach, could identify novel biomarkers for use in elective embryo transfer.

What is known already

Morphological assessment is used for elective embryo transfer. To improve IVF outcomes and to avoid multiple gestations, embryo-viability assessment is required toward single embryo transfer. Embryo proteomics could provide a non-invasive approach to assess embryo viability. With the advent of DIA mode proteomics, a robust proteome of E-SM could be determined.

Study design, size, duration

This was a retrospective study performed between May and December, 2020 using ten E-SMs obtained from ten individual transferable-quality embryos. Frozen E-SMs, following post-thaw, were subjected to LC-MS-MS analysis. Identified proteome profiles were being potentially correlated to embryo quality scores and pregnancy outcomes in terms of live births.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The E-SMs were processed for proteomic analysis and subjected to reduction, alkylation and trypsin digestion. Trypsin digested samples were desalted followed by LC-MS/MS using DIA method. Obtained results were searched against human peptide spectral library using Skyline. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by MSStat. Individual peptide peak area under the curve was normalized and analyzed using Student t-test. Fold change was calculated to identify differentially regulated proteins in blank and E-SM samples.

Main results and the role of chance

Using a high-resolution mass spectrometer and high throughput DIA method, we identified 5,502 peptides corresponding to 3,396 proteins from blank and E-SM samples, derived from five non-transferred embryos. We observed that 516 proteins were specific to E-SMs vies-a-vies those of embryo-free blank medium. Statistical analysis showed that 25 proteins were significantly present E-SMs vs. blank. Interestingly, we observed that 16 proteins were down regulated and 9 were up regulated in E-SMs vs. blank medium. Furthermore, E-SMs, from transferred embryos, contained 2,467 peptides corresponding to 1,741 proteins; of these, 1, 689 proteins were specific to E-SMs with 60 (58 down regulated and 2 up regulated) of them being significantly expressed in E-SMs vis-à-vis embryo-free blank medium. Considering the available met analysis published data, our study is the first to use DIA acquisition for high-throughput analysis of human embryo proteome and identification of biomarkers of embryo viability and for possible prediction of pregnancy outcome.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Proteins, other than HAS, detected in the blank medium could be because of non-purified HAS or undeclared proteins and DIA approach used. A large cohort study and meta-analysis using DIA mode are required to establish the embryo-proteome having predictive potential for embryo biological viability.

Wider implications of the findings: For the first time, using DIA mode, a global embryo proteome assessment could be made, establishing a novel embryo viability biomarkers. This, along with the morphological analysis, could be practiced for selection of transferable quality embryo(s)

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Thrombin in the Activation of the Fluid Contact Phase in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema Carrying the F12 P.Thr309Lys Variant

Hereditary angioedema due to pathogenic FXII variants (HAE-FXII) is a rare dominant disease caused by increased activation of the plasma contact system. The most prevalent HAE-FXII variant, c.1032C > A p.Thr309Lys (FXII^309Lys), results in a smaller FXII protein with increased sensitivity to fluid-phase activation by poorly understood mechanisms. We aimed to investigate the functionality of the FXII^309Lys variant in 33 HAE-FXII patients, 25 healthy controls and 46 patients with congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). Activation of the plasma contact system was assessed by western blot and amidolytic assay in basal conditions or after treatment with either artificial or physiological activators. Recombinant wild-type and FXII^309Lys variants were expressed in S2 insect (Drosophila) cells. Amidolytic and fibrin generation assays were performed in fresh plasma samples. FXII^309Lys samples exhibited an increased electrophoretic mobility comparable with N-glycan-deficient FXII from CDG patients and asialo-FXII generated by neuraminidase treatment. They presented increased sensitivity to activation by dextran sulphate and silica which resulted in the generation of an aberrant 37-kDa heavy chain. We did not observe increased susceptibility of FXII^309Lys to proteolysis by exogenous or tPA-generated plasmin. However, both exogenous and endogenous thrombin cleaved the FXII^309Lys variant, releasing a 37-kDa fragment and resulting in enhanced proteolytic activation on the fluid phase. This model supports a sequential proteolytic activation process involving thrombin priming of FXII^309Lys, followed by kallikrein cleavage and generation of active βFXIIa. The present results and the observation that angioedema episodes in HAE-FXII patients occur predominantly during hypercoagulable situations suggest a key role for thrombin.

Global, Regional, and National Levels and Trends in Burden of Oral Conditions from 1990 to 2017: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

Government and nongovernmental organizations need national and global estimates on the descriptive epidemiology of common oral conditions for policy planning and evaluation. The aim of this component of the Global Burden of Disease study was to produce estimates on prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability for oral conditions from 1990 to 2017 by sex, age, and countries. In addition, this study reports the global socioeconomic pattern in burden of oral conditions by the standard World Bank classification of economies as well as the Global Burden of Disease Socio-demographic Index. The findings show that oral conditions remain a substantial population health challenge. Globally, there were 3.5 billion cases (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI], 3.2 to 3.7 billion) of oral conditions, of which 2.3 billion (95% UI, 2.1 to 2.5 billion) had untreated caries in permanent teeth, 796 million (95% UI, 671 to 930 million) had severe periodontitis, 532 million (95% UI, 443 to 622 million) had untreated caries in deciduous teeth, 267 million (95% UI, 235 to 300 million) had total tooth loss, and 139 million (95% UI, 133 to 146 million) had other oral conditions in 2017. Several patterns emerged when the World Bank’s classification of economies and the Socio-demographic Index were used as indicators of economic development. In general, more economically developed countries have the lowest burden of untreated dental caries and severe periodontitis and the highest burden of total tooth loss. The findings offer an opportunity for policy makers to identify successful oral health strategies and strengthen them; introduce and monitor different approaches where oral diseases are increasing; plan integration of oral health in the agenda for prevention of noncommunicable diseases; and estimate the cost of providing universal coverage for dental care.

A Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Score Predicts Progression of Islet Autoimmunity and Development of Type 1 Diabetes in Individuals at Risk

OBJECTIVE

We tested the ability of a type 1 diabetes (T1D) genetic risk score (GRS) to predict progression of islet autoimmunity and T1D in at-risk individuals.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied the 1,244 TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study participants (T1D patients' relatives without diabetes and with one or more positive autoantibodies) who were genotyped with Illumina ImmunoChip (median [range] age at initial autoantibody determination 11.1 years [1.2-51.8], 48% male, 80.5% non-Hispanic white, median follow-up 5.4 years). Of 291 participants with a single positive autoantibody at screening, 157 converted to multiple autoantibody positivity and 55 developed diabetes. Of 953 participants with multiple positive autoantibodies at screening, 419 developed diabetes. We calculated the T1D GRS from 30 T1D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms. We used multivariable Cox regression models, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, and area under the curve (AUC) measures to evaluate prognostic utility of T1D GRS, age, sex, Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1 (DPT-1) Risk Score, positive autoantibody number or type, HLA DR3/DR4-DQ8 status, and race/ethnicity. We used recursive partitioning analyses to identify cut points in continuous variables.

RESULTS

Higher T1D GRS significantly increased the rate of progression to T1D adjusting for DPT-1 Risk Score, age, number of positive autoantibodies, sex, and ethnicity (hazard ratio [HR] 1.29 for a 0.05 increase, 95% CI 1.06-1.6; P = 0.011). Progression to T1D was best predicted by a combined model with GRS, number of positive autoantibodies, DPT-1 Risk Score, and age (7-year time-integrated AUC = 0.79, 5-year AUC = 0.73). Higher GRS was significantly associated with increased progression rate from single to multiple positive autoantibodies after adjusting for age, autoantibody type, ethnicity, and sex (HR 2.27 for GRS >0.295, 95% CI 1.47-3.51; P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

The T1D GRS independently predicts progression to T1D and improves prediction along T1D stages in autoantibody-positive relatives.

Assessment of the protein interaction between coagulation factor XII and corn trypsin inhibitor by molecular docking and biochemical validation

Essentials Corn Trypsin Inhibitor (CTI) is a selective inhibitor of coagulation Factor XII (FXII). Molecular modelling of the CTI-FXIIa complex suggested a canonical inhibitor binding mode. Mutagenesis revealed the CTI inhibitory loop and helices α1 and α2 mediate the interaction. This confirms that CTI inhibits FXII in canonical fashion and validates the molecular model.

SUMMARY

Background Corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI) has selectivity for the serine proteases coagulation factor XII and trypsin. CTI is in widespread use as a reagent that specifically inhibits the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation but not the extrinsic pathway. Objectives To investigate the molecular basis of FXII inhibition by CTI. Methods We performed molecular docking of CTI, using its known crystal structure, with a model of the activated FXII (FXIIa) protease domain. The interaction model was verified by use of a panel of recombinant CTI variants tested for their ability to inhibit FXIIa enzymatic activity in a substrate cleavage assay. Results The docking predicted that: (i) the CTI central inhibitory loop P1 Arg34 side chain forms a salt bridge with the FXIIa S1 pocket Asp189 side chain; (ii) Trp22 from CTI helix α1 interacts with the FXIIa S3 pocket; and (iii) Arg43 from CTI helix α2 forms a salt bridge with FXIIa H1 pocket Asp60A. CTI amino acid substitution R34A negated all inhibitory activity, whereas the G32W, L35A, W22A and R42A/R43A substitutions reduced activity by large degrees of 108-fold, 41-fold, 158-fold, and 100-fold, respectively; the R27A, W37A, W39A and R42A substitutions had no effect. Synthetic peptides spanning CTI residues 20-44 had inhibitory activity that was three-fold to 4000-fold less than that of full-length CTI. Conclusions The data confirm the validity of a canonical model of the FXIIa-CTI interaction, with helix α1 (Trp22), central inhibitory loop (Arg34) and helix α2 (Arg43) of CTI being required for effective binding by contacting the S1, S3 and H1 pockets of FXIIa, respectively.

Effects of dietary supplementation of cinnamaldehyde and formic acid on growth performance, intestinal microbiota and immune response in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) with a combination of essential oil and organic acids (EO + OA) on growth performance, gut microbiota and immune response in broiler chickens. In Experiment 1, 320 day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 32 pens with 10 birds in each pen and the pens were equally allotted to four treatment groups. In Experiment 2, 120 day-old chicks were divided into the same four treatment groups, each group containing three replicated pens with 10 birds in each pen. The groups were (1) Negative Control (NC) without AGP or other growth-promoting feed additives; (2) AGP (NC + enramycin; 125 mg/kg feed; (3) OA (NC + OA; 500 mg/kg feed); and (4) EO + OA (NC + a combination of cinnamaldehyde and calcium formate; 500 mg/kg feed). Experiment 1 lasted for 40 days, whereas Experiment 2 continued for 28 days. In Experiment 2, all birds were orally challenged with Escherichia coli (108 bacteria/bird) on Day 14. Overall intake, growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) on Day 40 had no difference (P > 0.05) among the groups in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, growth, feed intake and FCR were not affected by any dietary treatments until Day 14, but after being challenged with E. coli, bodyweight gain and FCR improved (P < 0.05) for AGP and EO + OA compared with NC. Mortality rate was also lower (P < 0.05) for AGP and EO + OA than NC in Experiment 2. Villi height was higher (P < 0.001) in OA and EO + OA groups compared with NC and AGP groups. Any treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) the counts of total bacteria, E. coli and Lactobacillus in the contents of ileum and caecum. However, Salmonella counts in the ileal and caecal contents decreased (P < 0.001) for AGP, OA and EO + OA compared with NC group. Clostridium counts were lower for EO + OA group than for NC and AGP groups in the ileum, and for AGP, OA and EO + OA groups than for NC in the caeca (P < 0.05). Antibody titer on Day 35 against Newcastle disease vaccine was higher in EO + OA group than in NC, AGP and OA groups (P < 0.001). In conclusion, EO + OA did not affect growth and FCR in broilers. However, AGP and EO + AO improved growth performance and FCR after being challenged with E. coli. Moreover, EO + OA was effective in reducing the Clostridium count in the small intestine and caecum and increasing the villus height and antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine.

Utilization of Euryale ferox Salisbury seed shell for removal of basic fuchsin dye from water: equilibrium and kinetics investigation

Euryale ferox Salisbury (E. ferox) is an environmentally and economically important wetland macrophyte.

Coagulation factor XII protease domain crystal structure

BACKGROUND

Coagulation factor XII is a serine protease that is important for kinin generation and blood coagulation, cleaving the substrates plasma kallikrein and FXI.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate FXII zymogen activation and substrate recognition by determining the crystal structure of the FXII protease domain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A series of recombinant FXII protease constructs were characterized by measurement of cleavage of chromogenic peptide and plasma kallikrein protein substrates. This revealed that the FXII protease construct spanning the light chain has unexpectedly weak proteolytic activity compared to β-FXIIa, which has an additional nine amino acid remnant of the heavy chain present. Consistent with these data, the crystal structure of the light chain protease reveals a zymogen conformation for active site residues Gly193 and Ser195, where the oxyanion hole is absent. The Asp194 side chain salt bridge to Arg73 constitutes an atypical conformation of the 70-loop. In one crystal form, the S1 pocket loops are partially flexible, which is typical of a zymogen. In a second crystal form of the deglycosylated light chain, the S1 pocket loops are ordered, and a short α-helix in the 180-loop of the structure results in an enlarged and distorted S1 pocket with a buried conformation of Asp189, which is critical for P1 Arg substrate recognition. The FXII structures define patches of negative charge surrounding the active site cleft that may be critical for interactions with inhibitors and substrates.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide the first structural basis for understanding FXII substrate recognition and zymogen activation.

Production of a non-cytotoxic bioflocculant by a bacterium utilizing a petroleum hydrocarbon source and its application in heavy metal removal

A bacterium isolated from the activated sludge of an oil refinery of Assam, India retained efficient bioflocculating activity through production of the bioflocculant when it was grown on a crude oil amended medium void of any other carbon source.

Structure of plasma and tissue kallikreins

The kallikrein kinin system (KKS) consists of serine proteases involved in the production of peptides called kinins, principally bradykinin and Lys-bradykinin (kallidin). The KKS contributes to a variety of physiological processes including inflammation, blood pressure control and coagulation. Here we review the protein structural data available for these serine proteases and examine the molecular mechanisms of zymogen activation and substrate recognition focusing on plasma kallikrein (PK) and tissue kallikrein (KLK1) cleavage of kininogens. PK circulates as a zymogen bound to high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK). PK is activated by coagulation factor XIIa and then cleaves HK to generate bradykinin and factor XII to generate further XIIa.A structure has been described for the activated PK protease domain in complex with the inhibitor benzamidine. Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) have a distinct domain structure and exist as a family of 15 genes which are differentially expressed in many tissues and the central nervous system.They cleave a wide variety of substrates including low-molecular-weight kininogen (LK) and matrix proteins. Crystal structures are available for KLK1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 activated protease domains typically in complex with S1 pocket inhibitors. A substrate mimetic complex is described for KLK3 which provides insight into substrate recognition. A zymogen crystal structure determined for KLK6 reveals a closed S1 pocket and a novel mechanism of zymogen activation. Overall these structures have proved highly informative in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the KKS and provide templates to design inhibitors for treatment of a variety of diseases.

Ambient air quality monitoring during the H1N1 influence period in Pune (India)

Ambient air quality in an urban area is directly linked with activity level in the city including transport, business and industrial activities. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has established an ambient air quality network in the city including state-of-the-art continuous air quality monitoring stations which indicate short duration air quality variations for criteria and non-criteria pollutants. The influence of H1N1 outbreak in Pune hitting its worst pandemic condition, led the civic authorities to implement stringent isolation measures including closure of schools, colleges, business malls, cinema halls, etc. Additionally, the fear of such a pandemic brought the city to a stand still. It was therefore necessary to assess the impacts of such activity level on ambient air quality in the city. It has been observed that such events have positive impacts on air quality of the city. There was a decrease in PM concentration almost to the tune of 30 to 40% if the impacts of precipitation, i.e. seasonal variations, are taken into account. Similarly, the non criteria pollutants too showed a marked but unusual decrease in their concentrations in this ever growing city. The influence of these in turn led to lowered concentrations of secondary pollutants, i.e. O3. Overall, the ambient air quality of Pune was found to be improved during the study period.

Role of myocytes in myocardial collagen production

Excessive collagen deposition may cause abnormal stiffness of the heart during hypertrophy and heart failure. The potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II seems, via an unknown mechanism, to stimulate collagen production. This study describes the in vitro and ex vivo effects of [Sar(1)]Ang II on collagen production by fibroblasts in culture and in beating, nonworking heart preparations. The effects of [Sar(1)]Ang II on isolated rat hearts or rat heart fibroblasts were determined by quantifying transcript levels of collagen phenotypes I and III through videodensitometry after Northern blot analysis with specific cDNA probes (collagen [P alpha( 2)r(2)] rat alpha( 2)[I] probe for type I and human skin fibroblast alpha(1)[III] probe for type III). When [Sar(1)]Ang II was added in vitro to neonatal or adult 28-week-old Wistar-Kyoto rat heart fibroblasts, questionable stimulation in the mRNAs of types I and III occurred. In contrast, when 10(-8) mol/L [Sar(1)]Ang II was added to beating, nonworking Wistar-Kyoto rat heart preparation ex vivo, a 1.5- to 2.5-fold stimulation of collagen mRNAs of phenotypes I and III was observed. When neonatal fibroblasts were cocultured with neonatal myocytes in vitro, with 10(-10) mol/L [Sar(1)]Ang II added, there was no stimulation of either phenotype. However, significant stimulation of both collagen transcripts was recorded when 10(-10) mol/L [Sar(1)]Ang II was added to adult fibroblasts cocultured with either neonatal or adult myocytes. Our data suggest that factors produced by myocytes are necessary for upregulation of collagen genes in vitro and demonstrate that fibroblast-myocyte cross-talk is required for Ang II-induced collagen upregulation.

Spinal cord infarction following vertebral angiography: clinical and pathological findings

Spinal cord damage from radiographic contrast material has been known to occur in both spinal and nonspinal angiographic procedures. Reported here is cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) during vertebral angiography. During the procedure, the patient displayed signs of acute cervical spinal cord irritation that should have been taken as a warning of impending injury. Autopsy 9 years later showed evidence of central cervical spinal cord necrosis. The pathological findings are similar to those seen in animal models of contrast media-induced SCI; and the pathophysiological mechanisms of such injury are discussed.

Expression of the neutral amino acids transporter ASCT1 in esophageal carcinomas

Cancers cells utilize more glucose and amino acids than their benign counterparts. Overexpression of the facilitative glucose transporter Glut1 in human cancers was found to correlate with aggressive biologic behavior. The aim of this work was to determine whether the neutral amino acid transporter ASCT1 is expressed in human esophageal carcinomas, and to correlate the findings with Glut1 expression. Sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue from 42 cases of esophageal carcinomas were entered in the study. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a rabbit anti-ASCT1 IgG developed in our laboratory, and anti-Glut1 antibody, using standard avidin-streptavidine immunoperoxidase method. Sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded HepG2 cells were used as positive controls. The percent of ASCT1-positive cells was scored. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. ASCT1 immunoreactivity was cytoplasmic, whereas Glut1 was membranous. Significantly more adenocarcinomas expressed ASCT1 than squamous cell carcinomas (p < 0.0001), whereas Glut1 expression was similar in both tumor types. There was no association between the expression of either transporter and lymph node metastasis. Glut1 was expressed more often in the better differentiated than the poorly differentiated squamous carcinomas (p = 0.003). These results suggest that unlike in squamous cell carcinoma, ASCT1 plays a significant role in the recruitment of amino acids in adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, and suggest that the metabolic needs, and uptake of nutrients, are regulated differently in these two tumor types. Additional studies with larger number of patients are needed to determine the biological significance of ASCT1 expression in esophageal carcinomas.

Systematic review of risk factors for urinary tract infection in adults with spinal cord dysfunction

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur frequently in persons with neurogenic bladders due to spinal cord dysfunction, resulting in increased morbidity and cost. The authors conducted a systematic review to identify risk factors for UTI using controlled clinical trials, cohort, and cross-sectional studies that assessed risk factors for UTI and included bacteriuria or UTI as an outcome. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment revealed important methodological deficiencies. Two studies provide evidence supporting increased bladder residual volume as a risk factor. Most of the retrieved studies investigated method of drainage with the consistent finding that persons using intermittent catheterization had fewer infections than those with indwelling catheters. There is conflicting evidence over the value of sterile or "no touch" catheter techniques compared with clean intermittent catheterization. There is insufficient evidence to assess risk due to psychosocial, behavioral, and hygiene factors; sex; level of function; and time since injury.

Linking radiosilver to monoclonal antibodies reduced by ascorbic acid. Comparison of results with stable silver using gravimetric technique and silver 110-M using radiotracer technique

Radiosilver-111 and Radiogold-199 were proposed by us (1) as suitable isotopes for radioimmunotherapy in areas such as India by reason of their suitable half-lives and B-emissions (Ag-111 T1/2 = 7.45 d and Au-199 T1/2 = 3.15 d). Since silver is monovalent, it is difficult to link to conventional bifunctional chelates. We therefore explored the use of sulfur-based linkers (2). Encouraged by the Thakur and De Fulvio Technique (3) of linking technetium to disulfide groups in antibodies reduced by ascorbic acid that is eminently biocompatible, we have explored the linkage of silver to immunoglobulin reduced by ascorbic acid. The linkage of silver was assessed with stable Ag-108 using dialysis to quantify the free silver after the reaction of silver and reduced immunoglobulins in various molar ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10). The silver quantity was estimated gravimetrically after precipitation as chloride. It was observed that using these molar ratios there was negligible silver efflux into the dialysate, suggesting stable linkage. We also assessed the linkage using Ag-110M as radiotracer. The comparative results with the two techniques are described.

Removal of endotoxin from antibody preparations for clinical use. Assessment of polymyxin-sepharose CNBr affinity chromatography

Despite attempts to maintain asepsis, good manufacturing practices, and the use of terminal sterilization by millipore filtration, the nuclear practitioner is always worried about the possibility of endotoxin contamination. Methods, such as ion-exchange chromatography, have been tried for removing endotoxins during the preparation of radiolabeled antibodies, and so on. As suggested by Stevenson (1990), we evaluated the Issekutz technique (1) of endotoxin removal by affinity chromatography using a polymyxin cyanogen bromide (CNBr) Sepharose column. The endotoxin content of millipore filtrates of heat killed/sonicated suspensions of Pseudomonas pyocyaneus, E. coli were measured using a Sigma (St. Louis, MO) Endotoxin Assay Kit before and after filtration through such columns and compared with the results obtained using gel exclusion and ion-exchange columns of the same length and diameter. Reduction of endotoxin content to undetectable levels by the polymyxin column was observed. The use of such columns for terminal endotoxin removal analogous to terminal sterilization is advocated especially when developing a radiopharmaceutical such as radiolabeled antibodies for in house use.

Effects of plant extract Centella asiatica (Linn.) on cold restraint stress ulcer in rats

Extract of C. asiatica (Linn.) inhibited significantly gastric ulceration induced by cold and restraint stress (CRS) in Charles-Foster rats, Antiulcer activity of plant extract was compared with famotidine (H2-antagonist) and sodium valproate (anti-epileptic). Plant extract, formotidine and sodium valproate showed a dose dependent reduction of gastric ulceration. Plant extract increased brain GABA level which was also dose dependent. Pretreatment with bicuculline methiodide (specific GABAA-antagonist) at the dose level of 0.5 mg/kg im, reversed the antiulcerogenic activity of both plant extract and sodium valproate. Bicuculline as such did not induce gastric ulceration in normal rat.

Hats: design and protection from ultraviolet radiation

An estimated 400,000 non-melanoma skin cancers occur each year. A majority of them will develop on sun-exposed areas of the face, head, and neck. By virtue of having assignments that involve outdoor duty, often in areas of high ultraviolet radiation exposure, military personnel are at increased risk of developing these cancers. Hats provide a means of sun protection; however, some styles are more protective than others. Two styles of hats currently used by the military are compared.

Perceived morbidity, utilisation of health services and factors affecting it in a rural area

A survey of perceived morbidity was carried out in rural population in eight villages and four wards of Saoner town, covering a total population of 8,876. The nature of illness was assessed by weekly visits to the families. History regarding treatment taken for disease and its source was taken. The overall incidence of perceived morbidity was 176.35 spells of sickness per 1000 population per month. Health care agency was contacted for 36.7 per cent spells of sickness. Utilisation of health services was found to be affected significantly by factors like age (chi 2 = 138.36), literacy (chi 2 = 14.123), type of occupation (chi 2 = 433.74), nature of illness (chi 2 = 83.578) and accessibility of health services. A health behaviour model of the population has also been discussed in this paper.