Intensification of extraction of curcumin from Curcuma amada using ultrasound assisted approach: Effect of different operating parameters.

Curcumin, a dietary phytochemical, has been extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma amada using ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and the results compared with the conventional extraction approach to establish the process intensification benefits. The effect of operating parameters such as type of solvent, extraction time, extraction temperature, solid to solvent ratio, particle size and ultrasonic power on the extraction yield have been investigated in details for the approach UAE. The maximum extraction yield as 72% was obtained in 1h under optimized conditions of 35°C temperature, solid to solvent ratio of 1:25, particle size of 0.09mm, ultrasonic power of 250W and ultrasound frequency of 22kHz with ethanol as the solvent. The obtained yield was significantly higher as compared to the batch extraction where only about 62% yield was achieved in 8h of treatment. Peleg's model was used to describe the kinetics of UAE and the model showed a good agreement with the experimental results. Overall, ultrasound has been established to be a green process for extraction of curcumin with benefits of reduction in time as compared to batch extraction and the operating temperature as compared to Soxhlet extraction.

Qualite de vie des eleves abidjanais : cas des eleves du lycee moderne Harris d'Adjame

"Introduction. En Cote d'Ivoire; la sante des eleves fait partie de la politique sanitaire; a travers le Programme National de Sante Scolaire et Universitaire (PNSSU). Cette etude avait pour objectif de decrire la qualite de vie des eleves d'un lycee de la ville d'Abidjan pour la promotion de la sante en milieu scolaire. Population et methode. Il s'agissait d'une enquete transversale a visee descriptive; realisee du 05 au 30 janvier 2008 au Lycee Moderne Nanguy Abrogoua (Abidjan). Un echantillonnage aleatoire systematique a permis de selectionner 770 eleves qui ont fait l'objet d'interview individuelle a l'aide d'un questionnaire standard. Resultats. Les eleves en majorite de sexe masculin (54;1%) avaient un age moyen de 16;5 ans avec un ecart type de 5;7 ans. Plus de la moitie des eleves (58;5%) residaient hors de la commune d'implantation du lycee. Plus du tiers des eleves (34%) affirmaient que les parents ne disposaient pas d'assez de moyens pour subvenir aux besoins de la famille. Par consequent; 22;7% faisaient de "" petits boulots "" pour financer leur etude et 25;6% affirmaient ne pas manger a leur faim. La majorite des eleves etait souvent angoissee (64;4%); deprimee (73;3%) et se sentait souvent mal dans la peau (68%). Ceux qui avaient des troubles du sommeil representaient 42;5% des enquetes. Pres de la moitie des eleves etait inquiete de leur sante (49;2%) et achetait les medicaments de rue pour se soigner (48;6%). En cas de probleme de sante; plus de la moitie (54;8%) ne frequentaient pas les services de sante scolaire par manque d'information (36;5%) ou par insatisfaction des soins recus dans ces services (24%). Parmi les eleves; 42;3% etaient sexuellement actifs et la sexualite constituait une source d'inquietude ou de preoccupation (48;9%) a cause du VIH-Sida (76;9%); des grossesses non desirees (54;4%). De plus; des comportements a risque tels que la consommation des medicaments vendu dans les rues (48;9%); la pratique du "" boro d'enjaillement (jeux perilleux consistant a s'adonner a des acrobaties et autres pas de danse sur le toit d'un bus en mouvement) "" (1;7%) et l'avortement (10;7%) etaient observes chez les eleves. Conclusion. La prise en compte de ces resultats pourrait contribuer a l'adoption de strategie visant a l'amelioration de la qualite de vie ou du bien etre des eleves; condition necessaire a un bon rendement scolaire. "

Comparative study of lung functions in swimmers and runners.

In the present study pulmonary function tests of two different groups of athletes, swimmers and runners were studied and compared. Thirty swimmers who used to swim a distance of two to three kilometers per day regularly were compared with age, sex, height, and weight matched thirty middle distance runners. Runners and swimmers selected for this study were undergoing training since last three years. Tidal Volume (TV), forced Vital Capacity (FVC). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were higher in swimmers than runners. Swimming exercise affects lung volume measurements as respiratory muscles including diaphragm of swimmers are required to develop greater pressure as a consequence of immersion in water during respiratory cycle, thus may lead to functional improvement in these muscles and also alterations in elasticity of lung and chest wall or of ventilatory muscles, leading to an improvement in forced vital capacity and other lung functions of swimmers than runners.

Differential expression of calreticulin, a reticuloplasmin in primate endometrium.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there are no data on hormonal regulation of reticuloplasmins in primate endometrium. We report the presence and modulation of expression of three reticuloplasmins in endometrium of bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). METHODS: Receptive and non-receptive endometria obtained from vehicle-treated control and onapristone (antiprogestin)-treated animals, respectively, were compared for differentially expressed proteins by two-dimensional proteomics. Mass spectrometric analysis annotated two such proteins as calreticulin and protein disulfide-isomerase (PDI), known to be molecular chaperones in endoplasmic reticulum. We then investigated if endoplasmin, another reticuloplasmin is also differentially expressed. Expression of these reticuloplasmins was also investigated in the endometriuma during pregnancy in bonnet monkeys. Samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry and western blot (calreticulin in human endometrium), and calreticulin transcript levels in Ishikawa cell line were assessed by real time PCR. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis of the functionalis region of non-receptive endometria in monkeys revealed higher expression of (i) calreticulin (P < 0.01) in glandular epithelium and (ii) PDI in stroma (P < 0.0001), but no change in endoplasmin in stroma or glands, compared with receptive endometria. Protein level of all three reticuloplasmins in the stromal region of endometrial functionalis was higher in pregnant than non-pregnant animals (P < 0.05). Human endometrial calreticulin protein was higher in the estrogen-dominant (proliferative) phase than progesterone-dominant (mid-secretory) phase of the cycle. Calreticulin mRNA in Ishikawa cells is up-regulated by estrogen (P < 0.05 versus control), with a trend towards down-regulation by progesterone. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that endometrial reticuloplasmins are regulated by hormones and embryonic stimuli in a cell-type specific manner. These novel data open up new lines of investigation for elucidating the mechanisms by which hormones or embryonic stimuli influence the sub-cellular physiology of endometrium.

Protein repertoire of human uterine fluid during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND: This study is an attempt to construct a repository of polypeptide species in human uterine fluid during the mid-secretory phase of menstrual cycle. This information is essential to generate alternative and less invasive tools for the assessment of uterine functions. METHODS: Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) and mass spectrometric analysis were used to resolve and identify the major components of human uterine fluid. RESULTS: Uterine fluid collected during the mid-secretory phase (n = 6) demonstrated ca. 590 polypeptide spots in the linear range of pH 4-7 after 2D PAGE. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of heavy and light chains of immunoglobulins, alpha-1 anti-trypsin precursor, anti-chymotrypsin precursor, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A4, apolipoprotein A1 fragment, beta-actin fragment, heat shock protein 27, hemopexin precursor and transferrin precursor. 2D protein profile of fluid collected during the proliferative phase (n = 5) revealed ca. 433 polypeptide spots, of which 279 could be paired with mid-secretory phase protein spots on the basis of their coordinates (isoelectric point and molecular weight) in 2D gels. Apolipoprotein A4, apolipoprotein A1 fragment and alpha-1 anti-trypsin precursor were 2-3-fold more abundant in uterine fluid collected during the mid-secretory phase as compared with that in the proliferative phase. Further, 86 uterine fluid polypeptides were conserved across species, being detected in human, rat and bonnet monkeys. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular repertoire of the mid-secretory phase human uterine fluid, when compared with that of the proliferative phase uterine fluid, is broadened due to differential expression of proteins. Further, some of the mid-secretory phase proteins were conserved across species.

Lung and blood mononuclear cell responses of tuberculosis patients to mycobacterial proteins.

The differences in specificity of human lung and peripheral lymphocytes for mycobacterial antigens (Ag) need to be evaluated in order to identify vaccine candidates against pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Therefore, the present study examined the response to low molecular weight secretory proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from minimal pulmonary TB and non-TB patients. Ag85A, Ag85B, culture filtrate protein (CFP)-31, CFP-22.5, CFP-21, M. tuberculosis protein-64 and an as yet uncharacterised 19 kDa protein were found to be predominantly recognised by BAL cells of TB patients on the basis of lymphocyte proliferation and significant interferon-gamma release. However, recognition of CFP-8, 6-kDa early secreted antigenic target, CFP-10, CFP-14.5, M. tuberculosis secretory protein-17 and five other as yet uncharacterised low molecular weight polypeptides was found to be high on the basis of lymphocyte proliferation at the level of PBMCs. Furthermore, BAL macrophages, and not blood monocytes, were found to produce nitric oxide (NO) in response to mycobacterial Ags. Among polypeptides predominantly recognised by BAL lymphocytes, only Ag85A and Ag85B were found to induce both NO and interleukin-12 (p40) by alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, the present results indicate heterogeneity in antigen recognition by bronchoalveolar lavage cells and peripheral mononuclear blood cells of minimal tuberculosis patients, and also suggest the utility of antigen 85 complex polypeptides for the development of a future mucosal antituberculous vaccine.

Human immune recognition-based multicomponent subunit vaccines against tuberculosis.

The cell-mediated immune response, with its shift in favour of type-1 over type-2 T-helper cell immune response, is generally regarded as essential to protection against mycobacterial infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective potential of two multicomponent subunit vaccines (MSV-1 and MSV-2) against tuberculosis (TB) based on human immune recognition. MSV-1 consisted of five immunodominant antigens (TB10.4, early secretory antigenic target (ESAT)-6, culture filtrate protein (CFP)-8, CFP-10 and CFP-15) selected from a group of polypeptides, which induced a predominant T-cell response in immune human subjects, whereas MSV-2 consisted of antigens (CFP-11, CFP-21, CFP-22.5, Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein (MPT)-64 and CFP-31) selected from a group of polypeptides which induced a subdominant T-cell response along with the antibody response. Both of these sets of polypeptides were extensively recognised in healthy individuals with significant interferon gamma release compared to the diseased population. In C57BL/6J mice, at the level of the lungs, the order of protective efficacy for the test vaccines was: bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)>MSV-2>MSV-1. The protective efficacy of MSV-1 was found to be significantly less than that of MSV-2 and BCG at the level of spleen, whereas that of MSV-2 was comparable to that of BCG. The results of this study indicate that high T-helper cell type 1 response-inducing polypeptides selected on the basis of human immune recognition do not necessarily impart protection during vaccination experiments.

Wild-type Escherichia coli producing microcins B17, D93, J25, and L; cloning of genes for microcin L production and immunity.

For the first time, an Escherichia coli strain producing four microcins (Mcc), B17, D93, J25, and L, and showing immunity to Mcc V was isolated and characterized. Each of the gene clusters encoding the production of Mcc B17, D93, and L was cloned separately. The gene cluster for Mcc L was cloned within a 13.5-kb HindIII-SalI fragment, which includes the Mcc V immunity gene, cvi.

Antibacterial activity evaluation of microcin J25 against diarrheagenic Escherichia coli.

The inhibitory activities of known microcins were evaluated against some diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains. Some antibacterial properties of microcin J25, the most active one, were studied. A rapid two-step purification was performed. The MIC and the minimum bactericidal concentration of J25 against E. coli O157:H7 were 1 and 100 microg ml(-1), respectively. A 10(4)-CFU ml(-1) contamination by this strain was destroyed in milk and meat extract by 6.25 microg of J25 ml(-1) and in half-diluted egg yolk by 50 microg of J25 ml(-1).

Current knowledge of soft cheeses flavor and related compounds.

Cheese aroma is the result of the perception of a large number of molecules belonging to different chemical classes. The volatile compounds involved in the soft cheese flavor have received a great deal of attention. However, there has been less work concerning the volatile compounds in the soft smear-ripened cheeses than in the mold-ripened cheeses. This paper reviews the components that contribute to the characteristic flavor in the soft cheeses such as surface-ripened, Camembert-type, and Blue cheeses. The sensory properties and quantities of the molecules in the different cheeses are discussed.

Glycosylated flavones as selective inhibitors of topoisomerase IV.

Three flavonoids which promoted Escherichia coli topoisomerase IV-dependent DNA cleavage were isolated from cottonseed flour and identified as quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucose-[1,6]-O-alpha-L-rhamnose (rutin), quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactose-[1,6]-O-alpha-L-rhamnose, and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucose (isoquercitrin). The most active one (rutin) also inhibited topoisomerase IV-dependent decatenation activity (50% inhibitory concentration, 64 microg/ml) and induced the SOS response of a permeable E. coli strain. Derivatives of quercetin glycosylated at position C-3 were shown to induce two site-specific DNA cleavages of pBR322 DNA, which were mapped by DNA sequence analysis to the gene encoding resistance to tetracycline. Cleavage at these sites was hardly detectable in cleavage reactions with quercetin or fluoroquinolones. None of the three flavonoids isolated from cottonseeds had any stimulatory activity on E. coli DNA gyrase-dependent or calf thymus topoisomerase II-dependent DNA cleavage, and they were therefore specific to topoisomerase IV. These results show that selective inhibitors of topoisomerase IV can be derived from the flavone structure. This is the first report on a DNA topoisomerase inhibitor specific for topoisomerase IV.

Identification and properties of a major plasma metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11) isolated from the plasma of patients.

Irinotecan [7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin (CPT-11)] is a promising water-soluble analogue of camptothecin [S. Sawada et al., Chem. & Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo), 39: 1446-1454, 1991]. We have reported previously the presence of an important polar metabolite, in addition to 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) beta-glucuronide, in samples of plasma taken from patients undergoing treatment with CPT-11 (L.P. Rivory and J. Robert, Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 36: 176-179, 1995; L. P. Rivory and J. Robert, J. Cromatogr., 661: 133-141, 1994). Plasma samples (0.5 ml) containing comparatively large amounts of this metabolite were extracted by solid-phase columns and subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in parallel to fluorometric detection. The metabolite yielded [M + 1] ions with a m/z of 619, representing the addition of 32 atomic mass units to CPT-11. Purified fractions were subjected to proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and the structure determined, 7-ethyl-10-[4-N-(5-aminopentanoic acid)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycampothecin (APC), was further validated following synthesis. Like CPT-11, APC was found to be only a weak inhibitor of the cell growth of KB cells in culture (IC50, 2.1 versus 5.5 micrograms/ml for CPT-11 and 0.01 microgram/ml for SN-38, the active metabolite of CPT-11) and was a poor inducer of topoisomerase I DNA-cleavable complexes (100-fold less potent than SN-38). In contrast to CPT-11, APC was not hydrolyzed to SN-38 by human liver microsomes or purified human liver carboxylesterase. Furthermore, APC did not inhibit the hydrolysis of CPT-11 in these preparations. Interestingly, APC was only a weak inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase in comparison to CPT-11 and neostigmine. It appears likely, therefore, that APC does not contribute directly to the activity and toxicity profile of CPT-11 in vivo.

The lysins of bacteriophages infecting lactic acid bacteria.

This short review highlights the complete absence of literature on lysins of bacteriophages infecting species like S. salivarius subsp. thermophilus, Pediococcus and Leuconostoc species, L. helveticus, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum and L. brevis, which are also widely used in the dairy industry. The lysins described share some similar biochemical characteristics: optimal pH and temperature, site of hydrolysis inside the peptidoglycan, and some activators and inhibitors. The cloning of the genes encoding these lysins only began in the last few years and four of them have been completely sequenced. In the future, these lysin genes could be interestingly compared to the host autolysin(s) gene(s). By contrast, the passage of phage lysins through the cytoplasmic membrane of the host cell in order to reach the peptidoglycan (via a signal sequence or the presence of a holin) seems not to be clearly resolved. The presence of a second open-reading frame upstream from the gene of the lysin, enabling a putative holin to be encoded, has already been suggested. No doubt our ever increasing knowledge about bacteriophage genome organization will help to elucidate this question. Meanwhile the obtention of a Lactococcus strain with an autolytic phenotype, using a bacteriophage lysin gene, as well as the successful use of purified PL1 lysin to obtain protoplasts of L. casei encourage us to continue to explore the field of bacteriophage lysins.

Modification of peptidoglycan precursors is a common feature of the low-level vancomycin-resistant VANB-type Enterococcus D366 and of the naturally glycopeptide-resistant species Lactobacillus casei, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Enterococcus gallinarum.

The biochemical basis for the acquired or natural resistance of various gram-positive organisms to glycopeptides was studied by high-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of their peptidoglycan UDP-MurNAc-peptide precursors. In all cases, resistance was correlated with partial or complete replacement of the C-terminal D-Ala-D-Ala-containing UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide by a new precursor with a modified C terminus. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis by sequential assignment showed that the new precursor encountered in Enterococcus faecium D366, a strain belonging to the VANB class, which expresses low-level resistance to vancomycin, was UDP-MurNAc-L-Ala-gamma-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate, identical to that previously found in the VANA class, which expresses high-level resistance to vancomycin. High-pressure liquid chromatographic analyses, composition determinations, and digestion by R39 D,D-carboxypeptidase demonstrated the exclusive presence of the new precursor in Lactobacillus casei and Pediococcus pentosaceus, which are naturally highly resistant to glycopeptides. The low-level natural resistance of Enterococcus gallinarum to vancomycin was found to be associated with the synthesis of a new precursor identified as a UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide containing a C-terminal D-serine. The distinction between low and high levels of resistance to glycopeptides appeared also to depend on the presence or absence of a substantial residual pool of a D-Ala-D-Ala-containing UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide.

Meningeal enhancement and low CSF pressure headache. An MRI study.

A 34-year-old woman developed severe and incapacitating positional headaches two weeks following a minor head trauma. Lumbar punctures demonstrated unmeasurable or very low CSF pressures. Gadolinium-enhanced cranial MRI showed diffuse enhancement of thickened meninges, suggesting inflammation. One year later, MRI was normal.