Proteomics, toxicity and antivenom neutralization of Sri Lankan and Indian Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) venoms

The western Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) is widely distributed in South Asia, and geographical venom variation is anticipated among distant populations. Antivenoms used for Russell's viper envenomation are, however, raised typically against snakes from Southern India. The present study investigated and compared the venom proteomes of D. russelii from Sri Lanka (DrSL) and India (DrI), the immunorecognition of Indian VINS Polyvalent Antivenom (VPAV) and its efficacy in neutralizing the venom toxicity. Methods: The venoms of DrSL and DrI were decomplexed with C18 high-performance liquid chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. The proteins fractionated were identified through nano-ESI-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The immunological studies were conducted with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The neutralization of the venom procoagulant effect was evaluated in citrated human plasma. The neutralization of the venom lethality was assessed in vivo in mice adopting the WHO protocol. Results: DrSL and DrI venom proteomes showed comparable major protein families, with phospholipases A2 (PLA2) being the most abundant (> 60% of total venom proteins) and diverse (six protein forms identified). Both venoms were highly procoagulant and lethal (intravenous median lethal dose in mice, LD50 = 0.24 and 0.32 µg/g, for DrSL and DrI, respectively), while lacking hemorrhagic and anticoagulant activities. VPAV was immunoreactive toward DrSL and DrI venoms, indicating conserved protein antigenicity in the venoms. The high molecular weight venom proteins were, however, more effectively immunorecognized than small ones. VPAV was able to neutralize the coagulopathic and lethal effects of the venoms moderately. Conclusion: Considering that a large amount of venom can be injected by Russell's viper during envenomation, the potency of antivenom can be further improved for optimal neutralization and effective treatment. Region-specific venoms and key toxins may be incorporated into the immunization procedure during antivenom production.(AU)

Study on genetic diversity and genetic variation law of Polygonatum cyrtonema / 中草药

Objective: To study the genetic diversity and geographical distribution of Polygonatum cyrtonema resources. Methods: ISSR technique was applied to analyze 118 individuals from 20 P. cyrtonema provenances in six provinces, including Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Hubei, and Zhejiang. Results: The results showed that 130 clear bands were amplified by 16 primers with 123 polymorphic bands and the average percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) was 94.62%, PPL within provenances was 33.85%-60.00%. Nei's genetic diversity index (He) was 0.183 8, Shannon's information index (I) was 0.267 4 and gene differentiation index (Gst) was 0.529 3. There were abundant genetic diversities existing in wild resources of P. cyrtonema. The UPGMA clustering analysis revealed that individuals from the same provenance were almost clustered together firstly, explaining that the genetic differentiation among different provenances was higher than those within provenances. When genetic similarity (GS) was 0.61, 118 germplasms can be divided into four categories, including Wuyi Mountains, Wuling and Luoxiao Mountains, Dabie Mountains, Donggong, and Tianmu Mountains. Conclusion: P. cyrtonema has high genetic diversity, genetic variation was closely related to mountains, and the isolation of plains and water areas between mountains was one of the main causes of genetic differentiation among groups. This study had essentially theoretical value and practical significance for the protection of the germplasm resources and the breeding of the species.

Study on geographical variation of medicinal ingredients contents in Scutellaria baicalensis from different provenances / 中国中药杂志

In order to investigate the genetic difference on medicinal components of Scutellaria baicalensis from different provenances on the genetic difference, the S. baicalensis provenance tests were arranged by randomized block design.Excavating the crude drugs that have been growing for three years, with the same drying process, the content of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin and laminarin A in S. baicalensis were detected by HPLC, and then the data were analyzed. The results indicated that the content of baicalin in different provenances of S. baicalensis was significantly different (<0.05), while the variation of baicalein reached extremely significant level (<0.01). Cluster analysis showed that if the distance was divided by 5.0, the provenances in Chengde, Hebei province were divided into two independent populations, while the other two populations had large geographic spans. The results show that the significant geographical variations exist in the content of medicinal components in S. baicalensis. The study laid a theoretical foundation of provenance selection of S. baicalensis.

Species distribution & antifungal susceptibility pattern of oropharyngeal Candida isolates from human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals.

Background & objectives: The changing spectrum of Candida species in causation of oropharyngeal candidiasis and their antifungal susceptibility pattern among the HIV infected individuals has made the identification to species level mandatory and detection of drug resistance necessary for patient care. The present study was carried out to determine the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of oral Candida isolates colonizing or infecting both HIV seropositive and seronegative individuals. Methods: A case-control study was conducted including 141 consecutive, non-repeat HIV-seropositive individuals and an equal number of sex and age matched HIV-seronegative control. Speciation of the oropharyngeal Candida isolates was done using standard yeast identification protocol. Antifungal susceptibility testing was done by the disk-diffusion method as well as by Fungitest method. Results: From the 59 culture positive HIV seropositive cases, 61 Candida isolates were recovered; Candida albicans (n=47, 77.0%), C. dubliniensis (n=9, 14.7%), C. parapsilosis (n=2, 3.2%), C. glabrata (n=2, 3.2%), and C. famata (n=1, 1.6%). Candida colonization in HIV-seropositive individuals was significantly higher than that of HIV-seronegative (control) group. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed (n=6, 9.3%) C. albicans isolates resistant to voriconazole and fluconazole by disk-diffusion method whereas no resistance was seen by Fungitest method. Interpretation & conclusions: C. albicans was the commonest Candida species infecting or colonizing HIV seropositive individuals. Oropharyngeal Candida isolates had high level susceptibility to all the major antifungals commonly in use. Increased level of immunosuppression in HIV-seropositives and drug resistance of non-albicans Candida species makes identification and susceptibility testing of Candida species necessary in different geographical areas of the country.

Constant fluctuating asymmetry but not directional asymmetry along the geographic distribution of Drosophila antonietae (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

ABSTRACT The population dynamics of a species tends to change from the core to the periphery of its distribution. Therefore, one could expect peripheral populations to be subject to a higher level of stress than more central populations (the center–periphery hypothesis) and consequently should present a higher level of fluctuating asymmetry. To test these predictions we study asymmetry in wing shape of five populations of Drosophila antonietae collected throughout the distribution of the species using fluctuating asymmetry as a proxy for developmental instability. More specifically, we addressed the following questions: (1) what types of asymmetry occur in populations of D. antonietae? (2) Does the level of fluctuating asymmetry vary among populations? (3) Does peripheral populations have a higher fluctuating asymmetry level than central populations? We used 12 anatomical landmarks to quantify patterns of asymmetry in wing shape in five populations of D. antonietae within the framework of geometric morphometrics. Net asymmetry – a composite measure of directional asymmetry + fluctuating asymmetry – varied significantly among populations. However, once net asymmetry of each population is decomposed into directional asymmetry and fluctuating asymmetry, most of the variation in asymmetry was explained by directional asymmetry alone, suggesting that populations of D. antonietae have the same magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry throughout the geographical distribution of the species. We hypothesize that larval development in rotting cladodes might play an important role in explaining our results. In addition, our study underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between the biology of a species and its geographical patterns of asymmetry.

Estimation of ursolic acid from Urtica dioica L. using validated HPTLC method.

Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae, leaves) is commonly used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of a wide range of disorders. The present work emphasizes on a validated HPTLC method for estimation of ursolic acid from U. dioica leaves and its available formulation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on silica gel 60 F254 TLC plate with toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (7:3:0.1, v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Detection of ursolic acid was carried out by derivatizing the plate with Liebermann Burchard reagent at 110°C for 10 min. Camag TLC scanner 4 equipped with winCATS software was used for densitometric scanning at 366 nm. The accuracy of the method was checked by conducting various validation parameters according to ICH guidelines. The method was found applicable to evaluate the impact of regional variation on ursolic acid content in U. dioica leaves. The research also highlights estimation of ursolic acid from a marketed herbal formulation of U. dioica leaves. The described HPTLC method was found useful for quantitation of bioactive marker ursolic acid and can be used as a routine quality control tool for the assessment of botanicals.

Geographical Variation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to describe differences in cardiovascular risk factor prevalences and clustering patterns among the states and federal territories of Malaysia. Risk factors considered were abdominal obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and smoking. Using data from the third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NMHS III) in 2006, we estimated the states and federal territories risk factor prevalences and clustering patterns to map the cardiovascular burden distribution in Malaysia. There was a clear geographical variation in the distribution of the individual risk factors as well as in its clustering with remarkable impact seen in Peninsular Malaysia. Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan were the most affected states overall.

Variación geográfica del zorro Lycalopex culpaeus (Mammalia, Canidae) en Chile: implicaciones taxonómicas

Geographic variation of the fox Lycalopex culpaeus (Mammalia, Canidae) in Chile: taxonomic implications. We studied the geographic variation of skulls of Lycalopex culpaeus using qualitative and quantative analyses. The sampling area covered Chile, from its northern portion, to Tierra del Fuego and the neighbouring Hoste island, as well as part of Argentina. Five subespecies are currently recognized from this large area. We found two morphotypes that are segregated geographically. Both groups mostly differ by morphometric attributes, followed by qualitative features. Specimens from northern Chile (Tarapacá and Antofagasta) have small skulls, short rostrum, a liriform sagital zone, and lack the interparietal crest. The second group is formed by specimens from north-western and central Argentina, central-south Chile, Patagonia, and the austral islands of Tierra del Fuego and Hoste. This group presents a strong sagital crest, large rostrum, and a large skull. Our results agree with observed patterns of mitochondrial DNA variation. We propose to retain the name L. c. andinus for the populations of northern Chile and to synonymize L. c. magellanicus, L. c. lycoides, and L. c. smithersi under L. c. culpaeus. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 421-432. Epub 2009 June 30.

Mediante análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos, se estudió la variación geográfica del cráneo de Lycalopex culpaeus en Chile (desde Tarapacá a la islas australes), y de algunas poblaciones argentinas. En dicha distribución se reconocen cinco de las seis subespecies del culpeo. Los resultados muestran dos grupos morfológicos geográficamente segregados; los mismos se diferencian principalmente por atributos morfométricos, y secundariamente por caracteres cualitativos. individuos del norte chileno (Tarapacá y Antofagasta) presentan cráneos pequeños, poco desarrollados, hocico levemente corto, ausencia de cresta interparietal y una tenue zona sagital "liriforme". Por otra parte, los individuos del noroeste y centro argentino, centro sur chileno, Patagonia e islas australes (islas de Tierra del Fuego y Hoste) (grupo B), no muestran diferencias significativas en su morfometría dento-craneal. En el grupo B destacó una fuerte cresta interparietal y zona sagital, hocicos prolongados y cráneos de mayor tamaño que los del norte chileno. Nuestros resultados coinciden con estudios de patrones de variación en el ADN mitocondrial de cánidos de Chile. Por lo tanto, se propone mantener el nombre L. c. andinus para las poblaciones del norte de Chile y sinonimizar los taxones L. c. magellanicus, L. c. lycoides y L. c. smithersi bajo la forma L. c. culpaeus.

Epidemiological Findings of Hepatitis B Infection Based on 1998 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Korea based on the 1998 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Study subjects consisted of 9,771 aged 10 yr or over, who were selected from across Korea using a stratified multistage probability sampling design. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was compared by age, sex, residency, household income, education, family history, family size, and frequency of eating out. The prevalence of HBsAg was 5.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.5-5.7) in males and 4.1% (95% CI: 3.6-4.6) in females with a low prevalence in those under 20 yr old. Generally, HBsAg seropositivity by administrative area was similar with the exception of Jeju province. HBsAg seropositivity of Jeju island was approximately three times higher in both men and women, as compared with the national average. HBsAg seropositivity by socioeconomic status unexpectedly showed a very consistent positive association in both gender. Comparing HBsAg seropositivity by the frequency of eating out, in both gender, the more frequent they ate out, the higher it was. Our study suggested that there might be another transmission route of HBV, which is possibly related to diet.

Geographical Variation of Liver Cancer Mortality in Korea (1992-1998) / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The death rate of liver cancer in Korea has been reported as one of the highest in the world. This study was conducted to investigate geographical variations of liver cancer mortality in Korea in order to obtain insight into possible environmental factors related to liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sex-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of liver cancer were calculated for 168 basic administrative units in Korea based upon the vital statistics for the seven years 1992 to 1998, as well as the sex- and age-specific population of each area for 1995. The SMRs were classified into six categories and depicted on a map for each sex. RESULTS: The southern provinces showed clearly higher mortality rates as compared to the rest of the country in both males and females. Looking at the maps in detail, there was a geographical variation even within the southern provinces. The areas around large rivers, some costal areas, and costal islands showed a high mortality rate. Even in the middle and northern provinces, the eastern costal areas showed relatively higher mortality rates as compared to inland areas. Conversely, some southern areas known for low levels of pollution showed relatively lower mortality rates. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests a possible relationship between liver cancer and water-related foods from polluted rivers or seas. Further studies should be performed in order to clarify which factors cause this geographical variation.

Geographical Variations in the Incidence of Childhood Cancer / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The incidence of childhood cancer in the Korea was studied to compare incidence rates between countries and between different regions in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A tatal of 2,891 cases, registered in the Natinal Cancer Registy from 1993 to 1995, were analysied. Death Certificate Only(DCO) cases were not included. DCO % was estimated about 22%. We calculated the incidence rates according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer. The age-standardized rates by diagnostic group was compared with those of other countries. The total incidence of childhood cancer were compared among 34 cities in Korea with the rates in the rest of the nation. RESULTS: The crude incidence of all childhood cancer was 94.1 per million. The cumulative incidence to age 15 was 0.137% and the age-standardized rate, calculated using the world standard population, was 96.1 per million. In the incidence rates by diagnostic group, we observed many similarities with other countries in East Asia. The age-standardized rates of E, F and AL cities were significantly higher(p<0.05). In the 0-4 age group, F, AL and BB cities showed higher rates(p<0.05). In 5~9 years and 10~14 years, F city only had higher rates(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Further study will be needed in order to investigate possible environmental factors which may account for the regional variations.