Quantitative detection of mycobacterial mannophosphoinositides in tuberculosis patients by real-time immuno-PCR assay.

A real-time immuno-PCR assay was deliberated to detect mycobacterial mannophosphoinositides (PIMs). A dynamic range of PIMs (0.9 pg/mL-10 ng/mL) was detected in TB patients, wherein 88.2% and 81.1% sensitivities were obtained in pulmonary TB and extrapulmonary TB respectively, with 96-96.4% specificity. This assay may translate into a diagnostic kit.

Brevibacillus parabrevis MTCC 12105: a potential bacterium for pulp and paper effluent degradation.

A gram positive, rod shaped, bacterium was isolated from pulp and paper mill sludge and characterized as Brevibacillus parabrevis (MTCC 12105) by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. CD and EOP stage wastewater, collected from a leading pulp and paper mill situated in North India, was used for degradation study. Wastewater degradation efficiency of the bacterial isolate was evaluated by Flask study in batch mode and Reactor study in semi continuous mode. The isolated bacterium showed a considerable reduction of the colour (59%), chemical oxygen demand (62%) and lignin (53.8%) content of Kraft paper mill effluent at 37 °C after 5 days. During reactor study it reduced 42.6% Lignin, 51.6% Colour and 60.3% COD (chemical oxygen demand) of the wastewater at 48 h RT (retention time). The isolate was deposited at MTCC Chandigarh, India with an accession no. MTCC 12105.

Restrictive anorexia nervosa and set-shifting in adolescents: a biobehavioral interface.

PURPOSE: Set-shifting is a neurocognitive concept defined as the ability to switch tasks flexibly. Set-shifting scores are worse in adults with restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN-R) than in controls. Adolescence is a developmental period when young people must respond flexibly to new situations. The purpose of this study was to compare the set-shifting scores of 24 adolescent females with AN-R with 37 matched normal adolescent controls (ages, 14-20). METHODS: Methods used for the study included sociodemographic, psychological, and biological data, and neurocognitive testing using the Behavior Rating of Executive Function - Self- and Parent-Reports, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery, and the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test. Statistical analyses included t-tests, multiple analysis of variance, and correlations. RESULTS: Sociodemographic data and intelligence quotient of study and control subjects were similar. There were differences in body mass index and the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 evaluation. Significant differences in the composite score of set-shifting between the study and control groups were found using multiple analysis of variance. CONCLUSION: Adolescent females with AN-R had significantly worse set-shifting scores than the control subjects. Future studies of adolescent AN-R subjects should include biological (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and neurocognitive measures to determine the mechanisms at the brain-behavioral interface so that treatment can be directed specifically to set-shifting deficits.

Knowledge gaps and misconceptions about over-the-counter analgesics among adolescents attending a hospital-based clinic.

OBJECTIVES: Although many adolescents use over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics, their knowledge about these drugs is unclear. This study evaluates misconceptions and knowledge gaps about OTC side effects, risks, and interactions among adolescents attending a hospital-based clinic. METHODS: Adolescents aged 14 to 20 years presenting to an outpatient clinic were surveyed using a computer-administered instrument. Participants answered questions regarding their use of specific OTC medications and knowledge of side effects, risks, and interactions of these drugs. A summary score of percent correct answers on knowledge questions was created, and univariate and multivariate statistical techniques examined differences between groups. RESULTS: Ninety-six adolescents completed the survey. Most (78%) adolescents had used OTC medications in the previous month. The most frequently reported OTC medications used were analgesics, including ibuprofen (46%), and Tylenol (45%); acetaminophen ingestion was reported by 15% of respondents. Although 35% reported knowing what acetaminophen is, 37% of these did not correctly identify acetaminophen and Tylenol as the same medication. The average overall knowledge score was 44%. In regression models including demographics, and OTC product use, older adolescents had higher overall average knowledge scores. Hispanic teens had less reported use and lower knowledge scores than adolescents of other race/ethnicities. CONCLUSIONS: Most adolescents use OTC analgesics, but many are confused about generic and brand name forms. There were also significant knowledge gaps about OTC use, side effects, and contraindications, especially for acetaminophen. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for OTC medication misuse by adolescent patients.

Mast cell tryptase controls paracellular permeability of the intestine. Role of protease-activated receptor 2 and beta-arrestins.

Tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells prevent ingress of luminal macromolecules and bacteria and protect against inflammation and infection. During stress and inflammation, mast cells mediate increased mucosal permeability by unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that mast cell tryptase cleaves protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) on colonocytes to increase paracellular permeability. Colonocytes expressed PAR2 mRNA and responded to PAR2 agonists with increased [Ca2+]i. Supernatant from degranulated mast cells increased [Ca2+]i in colonocytes, which was prevented by a tryptase inhibitor, and desensitized responses to PAR2 agonist, suggesting PAR2 cleavage. When applied to the basolateral surface of colonocytes, PAR2 agonists and mast cell supernatant decreased transepithelial resistance, increased transepithelial flux of macromolecules, and induced redistribution of tight junction ZO-1 and occludin and perijunctional F-actin. When mast cells were co-cultured with colonocytes, mast cell degranulation increased paracellular permeability of colonocytes. This was prevented by a tryptase inhibitor. We determined the role of ERK1/2 and of beta-arrestins, which recruit ERK1/2 to PAR2 in endosomes and retain ERK1/2 in the cytosol, on PAR2-mediated alterations in permeability. An ERK1/2 inhibitor abolished the effects of PAR2 agonist on permeability and redistribution of F-actin. Down-regulation of beta-arrestins with small interfering RNA inhibited PAR2-induced activation of ERK1/2 and suppressed PAR2-induced changes in permeability. Thus, mast cells signal to colonocytes in a paracrine manner by release of tryptase and activation of PAR2. PAR2 couples to beta-arrestin-dependent activation of ERK1/2, which regulates reorganization of perijunctional F-actin to increase epithelial permeability. These mechanisms may explain the increased epithelial permeability of the intestine during stress and inflammation.