Role of endophytic Penicillium species and Pseudomonas monteilii in inducing the systemic resistance in okra against root rotting fungi and their effect on some physiochemical properties of okra fruit.

AIMS: The efficacy of three isolates of endophytic Penicillium species that have shown significant suppressive effect on root rotting fungi in our previous study were further evaluated in pots and field plot experiments for their effect on root diseases of okra, induction of systemic resistance and physiochemical properties of okra fruit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aqueous suspensions of endophytic Penicillium and Pseudomonas monteilii were applied in pots and field plots using okra as test plant. Data on the fungal infection of roots, plant growth, plant resistance markers like polyphenol, salicylic acid and antioxidant status of plant were determined. These isolates significantly suppressed root diseases and induced systemic resistance via increasing level of resistance markers, polyphenol and salicylic acid besides improving antioxidant activity of Penicillium and P. monteilii-treated plants as compared to control plants. GC-MS analysis of n-hexane extract of mycelium of P. nigricans revealed the presence of 15 different volatile compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Endophytic Penicillium and P. monteilii have potential against root-infecting fungi of okra and can improve plant growth and yield. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Endophytic Penicillium species and P. monteilii can suppress root rotting fungi by direct mechanism or induction of systemic resistance in plants.

Sodium percarbonate as a novel intracoronal bleaching agent: assessment of the associated risk of cervical root resorption.

AIM: To evaluate the extraradicular peroxide release from sodium percarbonate compared to sodium perborate as an intracoronal bleaching agent. METHODOLOGY: Sixty mandibular single-rooted premolars with intact CEJ were selected. After root filling, gutta-percha was removed 4 mm apical to CEJ and 2 mm of GIC was condensed over the root filling. Intracoronal bleaching agents were placed into six groups of teeth (n = 10): sodium perborate with distilled water (SPW); sodium percarbonate with distilled water (SPCW); sodium perborate with 30% hydrogen peroxide (SPHP); sodium percarbonate with 30% hydrogen peroxide (SPCHP); 30% hydrogen peroxide as positive control (HP) and distilled water as negative control (CL). The teeth were then mounted in vials filled with distilled water, kept in an incubator and taken out at 1, 3 and 6 days for spectrophotometric analysis. Extraradicular peroxide release was quantified by the ferrothiocyanate method. Statistical analysis was undertaken with one-way anova and Scheffe post hoc tests. RESULTS: The greatest peroxide release occurred in the HP group, followed by the SPCHP and SPHP groups, and then by the SPCW and SPW groups. Intergroup comparison revealed that there was no significant difference in peroxide release among the groups SPCW and SPW on days 1, 3 and 6 (P > 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found between the SPCHP and SPHP treated groups on days 1, 3 and 6 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extraradicular peroxide release from sodium percarbonate was comparable to that of sodium perborate, as the differences were not significant.

Intranasal administration of RSV antigen-expressing MCMV elicits robust tissue-resident effector and effector memory CD8+ T cells in the lung.

Cytomegalovirus vectors are promising delivery vehicles for vaccine strategies that aim to elicit effector CD8+ T cells. To determine how the route of immunization affects CD8+ T-cell responses in the lungs of mice vaccinated with a murine cytomegalovirus vector expressing the respiratory syncytial virus matrix (M) protein, we infected CB6F1 mice via the intranasal or intraperitoneal route and evaluated the M-specific CD8+ T-cell response at early and late time points. We found that intranasal vaccination generated robust and durable tissue-resident effector and effector memory CD8+ T-cell populations that were undetectable after intraperitoneal vaccination. The generation of these antigen-experienced cells by intranasal vaccination resulted in earlier T-cell responses, interferon gamma secretion, and viral clearance after respiratory syncytial virus challenge. Collectively, these findings validate a novel approach to vaccination that emphasizes the route of delivery as a key determinant of immune priming at the site of vulnerability.

Role of the CYP1A2 Gene Polymorphism on Early Ageing from Occupational Exposure.

The ageing process is influenced by many internal and external factors. The toxic substances in the environment can cause genomic damages to cells, which increase the risk of early ageing. Furthermore, the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene polymorphism is a susceptibility factor and may enhance the risk of DNA damage in cells. The current study was carried out to show whether occupational exposure could cause genotoxicity in cells carrying the CYP1A2 gene polymorphism, thus enhancing the likelihood of early ageing. This study was conducted on mechanical workshop workers and a control group by collecting buccal cells from their mouths. Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was used to identify the CYP1A2 gene polymorphism in the cells. In addition, three extra methods including micronuclei (MN) test, comet assay and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were applied to determine the effects of gene polymorphisms on DNA damage and ageing from occupational exposure. The results showed that DNA damage in the cells carrying the mutated genotype was higher than the wild genotype. In addition, the difference in MN frequency (p = 0.001) and relative telomere length (p = 0.002) between workers and controls was significant (p <0.05) in the mutated genotype. The findings indicated a possible protective effect of gene polymorphism against early ageing, which was characterized by lack of a significant influence of CYP1A2 gene polymorphism on genetic material in the subjects (p >0.05). It was concluded that the CYP1A2 gene could be a contributing factor to prevent early ageing from occupational exposure.

In vivo study of histamine H4 receptor in immunomodulation.

OBJECTIVE: Recently accumulating evidence has highlighted the role of histamine in inflammation and immune reaction by histamine H4-receptor, however the role of histamine via H4-receptor in immunomodulation is still unclear. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the immunomodulatory role of histamine H4-receptor on antibody generation profile in rabbit. METHODS: The cohort study comprised of 108 rabbits in six groups. Each group consisted of 18 rabbits. Group I (negative control) remained non-immunized and received vehicle (sterile distilled water, 1 mlkg-1 × b.i.d., s.c. for 10 days (3 days prior to immunization until 7 days after immunization)). Group II (positive control) received vehicle (1 mlkg-1 × b.i.d., s.c. for 10 day), while group III-VI received histamine (100 µgkg-1 × b.i.d., s.c.), H4-agonist (clobenpropit dihydrobromide, 10 µgkg-1 × b.i.d., s.c.), and H4-antagonist (JNJ 7777120, 10 µgkg-1 × b.i.d., i.m.) and DMSO (control group for H4R-antagonist, 1 mlkg-1 × b.i.d., i.m.) respectively for 10 days. Group II-VI were immunized with intravenous injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on day 3. Immunological parameters [immunoglobulins (Ig), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin G (IgG)] assessed by the whole SRBC-ELISA method and direct hemagglutination assay. RESULTS: Histamine could influence a detectable antibody response to SRBC as early as day 7 postimmunization (post-I), which lasted until day 58 post-I, whereas H4-receptor by H4R-antagonist treatment showed a similar profile of antibody (Ig, IgM, and IgG) generation as the positive control group. On the other hand, H4R-agonist treatment showed immunostimulant activity as compared to other experimental groups. The results were found statistically significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Histamine H4-receptor in biological system modulates immunological function and stimulates antibody production only by exogenously administered agonists not by endogenous histamine (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 26).

Training workshops in problem-based learning: changing faculty attitudes and perceptions in a Pakistani medical college.

BACKGROUND: Problem-based learning (PBL) has over the years become a learning strategy established for teaching students in medicine. In order to use PBL as a teaching tool, faculty must be familiar with PBL and comfortable with the role transition from 'teacher' to 'facilitator'. This transition is critical for the success of PBL. This article describes the faculty development process undertaken in Pakistan at the onset of introduction of PBL in the curriculum. METHODS: At the Foundation University Medical College (FUMC), we initiated a faculty development program in PBL. The program consisted of two-day, hands-on facilitator training workshops conducted five times over the year and led by in-house faculty. A total of 180 faculty members completed these workshops. The workshops consisted of interactive sessions on the philosophy of PBL, small group dynamics, the role of the facilitator, an introduction to case design, wrap-up PBL sessions and assessment in PBL. Participants were provided with pre-workshop reading material in the form of 'PBL Handbooks', which contained details of the PBL process and specific responsibilities of the facilitator. Participants were also given a chance to experience the role of the facilitator by facilitating the faculty-learner group through a PBL session and receiving feedback. A retrospective pre-post survey was conducted to gauge changes in participants' perceptions of PBL. RESULTS: The faculty reported a significant increase in their regard for PBL as an instructional paradigm (p=<0.001). They also generally became more interested in empowering students with self-directed learning using PBL as a teaching tool and showed a greater desire to be facilitators (p=<0.001). CONCLUSION: This evaluation reveals that facilitator training workshops can help not just to improve the facilitation skills of participants but also to stimulate interest amongst faculty to use PBL in the curriculum. Such workshops can be run in Pakistan at minimal cost: the only cost we incurred was for photocopying the reading material. How much difficulty the faculty will actually have serving as facilitator in the PBL process will only become evident when they lead PBL groups over the coming year.

Antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities of andrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata in animal models.

The current study was performed to evaluate the antinociceptive and antiedematogenic properties of andrographolide isolated from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata using two animal models. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated using the acetic acid- induced writhing and the hot-plate tests, while antiedematogenic activity was measured using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test. Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of andrographolide (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) did not affect the motor coordination of the experimental animals but produced significant (p < .05) antinociceptive activity when assessed using both tests. However, 2 mg/kg naloxone failed to affect the 25 mg/kg andrographolide activity in both tests, indicating that the activity was modulated via nonopioid mechanisms. Furthermore, andrographolide showed significant (p < .05) antiedematogenic activity. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that andrographolide has antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities; it may be useful for treating pain and inflammation once human studies are conducted.

Evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of Ficus deltoidea aqueous extract.

The aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves was evaluated for possible antinociceptive activity in three models of nociception, namely, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot plate test. The results of the present study showed that intraperitoneal administration of the F. deltoidea leaves aqueous extract at the dose of 1, 50 and 100 mg/kg, 30 min prior to pain induction produced significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in all the models used, which indicating the presence of both central and peripherally mediated activities. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect of the extract in the formalin and hot plate test was reversed by the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone suggesting that the endogenous opioid system is involved in its analgesic mechanism of action. Thus, the present results demonstrated that F. deltoidea leaves aqueous extract contains pharmacologically active constituents which possess antinociceptive activity justifying its popular therapeutic use in treating conditions associated with the painful conditions.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: a rare complication of acute asthma.

BACKGROUND: Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of acute asthma. If pneumomediastinum occurs it can cause compression on major vessels in the mediastinum and neck and can lead to low blood pressure along with chest pain and other life-threatening complications. Therefore, knowledge of this condition and its proper management are very important for doctors. CONCLUSIONS: The authors report on a case of pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this condition. In this report a 20 year-old girl presented to A and E department of Mayo General Hospital with an acute exacerbation of asthma complicated by pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema.

Antinociceptive effect of Melastoma malabathricum ethanolic extract in mice.

The antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of Melastoma malabathricum (MME) was investigated using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test and hot-plate test in mice. It was demonstrated that the extract (30-300 mg/kg, i.p.) strongly and dose-dependently inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing with an ED(50) of 100 (78-160) mg/kg i.p. It also significantly increased the response latency period to thermal stimuli. Furthermore, the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone blocked the antinociceptive effect of the extract in both tests, suggesting that M. malabathricum may act both at peripheral and central levels.

Clinical and laboratory features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Pakistani patients.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinico-pathological features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Pakistani patients at the time of presentation in the four teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi-Islamabad area. SETTINGS: Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi, Armed Forces Institute of Urology (AFIU), Rawalpindi, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi, Department of Rheumatology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. SUBJECTS: Patients suffering from SLE, diagnosed on the basis of the ARA criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinico-pathological features at the time of presentation. RESULTS: Twelve male patients in age range 5-30 years (mean 21.6 years) and 38 female patients in age range 8-37 years (mean 22.2 years) were included in the study, showing a female to male ratio of 3:1. Fever was the most common presenting feature (100%), followed by arthralgias/arthritis (98%), malar rash (64%) and oral ulcers (58%). Laboratory results showed antinuclear antibody to be positive in all patients followed by anti double stranded DNA antibodies (anti DNA antibodies: 64%), anti extractable nuclear antigen antibodies (anti ENA antibodies: 64%) and evidence of complement consumption in 64% of the patients. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was found to be increased with a mean of 64 mm first hour fall in males and a mean of 87 mm first hour fall in the female patients. The C reactive protein was detected to be normal or marginally increased inspite of the increased ESR with mean of 7 mg/l for male patients and 5 mg/1 for the females. CONCLUSION: The subject patient population presented almost universally with fever and arthralgias or arthritis in combination with malar rash or oral ulcers and in some patients a combination of all of the above was observed. A combination of positive anti nuclear antibody test, evidence for consumption of the complement in form of low C4 and C3, increased ESR and low C reactive protein were found to be a sensitive and cost effective set of laboratory findings for the diagnosis of patients suffering from SLE. The above mentioned set of clinical and laboratory features would help in the correct and early diagnosis of patients suffering from SLE, a relatively rare disease, in the busy medical out patient departments in our set up.

Presenting features in Pakistani patients suffering from the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody--classical subtype (c-ANCA) associated vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinicopathological features in c-ANCA positive patients suffering from vasculitis with a view to find out the most common mode of presentation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTINGS: Department of Immunology, AFIP, Rawalpindi, MH Rawalpindi, CMH Rawalpindi, Department of Rheumatology, PIMS, Islamabad, RGH Rawalpindi, FFH, Rawalpindi. SUBJECTS: Seventeen patients suffering from vasculitis and found to be positive for c-ANCA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinico-pathological features at presentation. RESULTS: There were 9 males in age range 11-60 years (mean age 32.5 years) and 8 females in age range 26-42 years (mean age 32.3 years). Common presenting features were a combination of cough, blocked nose and post nasal drip 14/17 (82%) followed by nose bleed and haematuria 11/17 (65%). Six patients were demonstrated to be suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis after biopsy. C-ANCA was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in the titre range of 8-640. The auto antibody levels related to disease activity. CONCLUSION: c-ANCA associated vasculitis is a rare (17 patients in five years) but aggressive form of vasculitis. It must be suspected in patients with persistent respiratory tract related symptoms associated with fever and joint pains which fail to respond to adequate treatment for infections. The c-ANCA estimations can be utilised as sensitive and specific diagnostic and prognostic marker in this form of vasculitis.

Effectiveness of BCG vaccination against tuberculous meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the protective effectiveness of BCG vaccination against tuberculous meningitis, while controlling for age, nutrition and socio-economic status, in children 1 month to 12 years of age. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Secondary care referral and teaching hospital. METHODS: Cases were those conforming to the definition of tuberculous meningitis and controls were patients admitted after every third consecutive case included in the study from September 1995 till the end of August 1997 and who did not suffer from any central nervous system disorder. RESULTS: Among the 192 cases and 70 controls, BCG scar was present in 57.8% and 75.7%, respectively. The crude odd's ratio (OR)for tuberculosis meningitis with a BCG scar was 0.44 (95% CI, .24-0.81; p = 0.008), while the adjusted OR was 0.53 (95% CI, 0.26-1.06; p value = 0.07) after controlling for weight, age, sex and place of residence. Higher weight for age and urban residence were associated with a decreased risk of tuberculous meningitis in the logistic model. CONCLUSIONS: BCG vaccination offers protection against tuberculous meningitis. Since improvement in weight for age was associated with a decreased risk of disease, further studies are needed to evaluate the association, if any, between nutritional status and vaccine efficacy.

Erythrocytes from healthy smokers bind more bilirubin than the erythrocytes from healthy non-smokers.

Cigarette smoking is an adverse prognostic factor for health. Its damaging effects on many enzymatic and cellular activities are well known. The present study was carried out to evaluate whether there is a difference in the binding of bilirubin to the erythrocytes from healthy smokers and non-smokers. The results suggest that the binding of bilirubin to the erythrocytes from healthy smokers as well as in vitro smoked erythrocytes is significantly higher than that of healthy non-smokers.

Modified Glasgow Coma Scale to predict mortality in children with acute infections of the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the predictors of hospital mortality in children with acute infective disorders of the central nervous system using an aggregate Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score and other clinical variables assessed within 24 hours of hospitalization. METHODS: We did a prospective cohort study in a teaching and referral hospital in Lucknow, North India. Consecutive children aged 1 month to 12 years of age admitted with acute infective disorders of the central nervous system were included in the study. The diagnosis was based on the presence of symptoms of fever, headache or irritability with or without vomiting, and either altered sensorium or first episode of seizures or both. The main outcome measure was hospital-based mortality. RESULTS: Of the 230 patients included in the study, 42.2% had pyogenic meningitis, 36.9% had tuberculous basal meningitis and 20.9% had meningo-encephalitis. There were 43 (18.7%) deaths of which 44.2% were within 3 days of admission. Death was associated with the day 1 aggregate MGCS score only. The area under the curve of four strata of aggregate MGCS was 0.63 (SE 0.05). The likelihood ratio for discharge with an aggregate MGCS score of < 5 was 0.52 (95% CI:0.29-0.95) and > 10 was 5.52 (9% CI:1.02-31.96). CONCLUSION: The MGCS can be used to predict discharge in patients with acute infective disorders of the central nervous system within 24 hours of hospitalization. The scale is simple, can be applied at the bedside and does not depend on any investigations. In developing countries with limited investigative facilities it can be used for identification and selective referral of patients with a higher risk of death to specialized centres. This study validates the predictive value of the MGCS.

Factors influencing gestation length, birth weight and calf survival of Angus, Zebu and Zebu cross beef cattle.

Day of birth in a calendar year (DB), gestation length (GL), birth weight (BW) and survival rate of calves (SR) were recorded for 4 years for single-sire matings of (1) Angus (A) and Brahman (B) sires to A, B, Brangus (BR) and Africander-Angus (AF) dams; (2) BR sires to BR dams, and (3) AF sires to AF dams, a total of four straightbred and six crossbred breed groups. Sex (S) differences were found for GL, BW and SR (P less than .05 to P less than .01), but not for DB (P greater than .05). Age of dam had no effect on GL but influenced DB (P less than .01), BW (P less than .01) and SR (P less than .05). Precalving weight of the dam influenced BW (P less than .01) but not GL. Birth weight was influenced by GL (P less than .01). Differences among breed groups were found for all traits. Purebred A had the shortest GL and the earliest BD, while purebred B had the longest GL, the latest BD, th lightest BW and the lowest SR of any of the breed groups. The BR and AF had higher BW but were generally intermediate to the A and B in other traits. Combined breed of sire and dam effects acccounted for most of the breed differences. The response and percentage heterosis obtained for such traits as DB and SR depended upon characteristics of the breeds involved and environmental factors such as date of breeding season and weather at calving. Heterosis calculated as a percentage of the A and B average was not significant for DB or GL but was 15% for BW and 14% for SR.