An immunodiagnostic assay for quantitation of specific ige to the major pollen allergen component, pas n 1, of the subtropical bahia grass

Background Pollens of the Panicoideae subfamily of grasses including Bahia (Paspalum notatum) are important allergen sources in subtropical regions of the world. An assay for specific IgE to the major molecular allergenic component, Pas n 1, of Bahia grass pollen (BaGP) would have immunodiagnostic utility for patients with pollen allergy in these regions. Methods Biotinylated Pas n 1 purified from BaGP was coated onto streptavidin ImmunoCAPs. Subjects were assessed by clinical history of allergic rhinitis and skin prick test (SPT) to aeroallergens. Serum total, BaGP-specific and Pas n 1-specific IgE were measured. Results: Pas n 1 IgE concentrations were highly correlated with BaGP SPT (r = 0.795, p < 0.0001) and BaGP IgE (r = 0.915, p < 0.0001). At 0.23 kU/l Pas n 1 IgE, the diagnostic sensitivity (92.4%) and specificity (93.1%) for the detection of BaGP allergy was high (area under receiver operator curve 0.960, p < 0.0001). The median concentrations of Pas n 1 IgE in non-Atopic subjects (0.01 kU/l, n = 67) and those with other allergies (0.02 kU/l, n = 59) showed no inter-group difference, whilst grass pollen-Allergic patients with allergic rhinitis showed elevated Pas n 1 IgE (6.71 kU/l, n = 182, p < 0.0001). The inter-Assay coefficient of variation for the BaGP-Allergic serum pool was 6.92%. Conclusions Pas n 1 IgE appears to account for most of the BaGP-specific IgE. This molecular component immunoassay for Pas n 1 IgE has potential utility to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of diagnosis of BaGP allergy for patients in subtropical regions.

The multiple sclerosis whole blood mRNA transcriptome and genetic associations indicate dysregulation of specific T cell pathways in pathogenesis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with a genetic component, caused at least in part by aberrant lymphocyte activity. The whole blood mRNA transcriptome was measured for 99 untreated MS patients: 43 primary progressive MS, 20 secondary progressive MS, 36 relapsing remitting MS and 45 age-matched healthy controls. The ANZgene Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium genotyped more than 300 000 SNPs for 115 of these samples. Transcription from genes on translational regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, immune synapse and antigen presentation pathways was markedly increased in all forms of MS. Expression of genes tagging T cells was also upregulated (P < 10-12) in MS. A T cell gene signature predicts disease state with a concordance index of 0.79 with age and gender as co-variables, but the signature is not associated with clinical course or disability. The ANZgene genome wide association screen identified two novel regions with genome wide significance: one encoding the T cell co-stimulatory molecule, CD40; the other a region on chromosome 12q13-14. The CD40 haplotype associated with increased MS susceptibility has decreased gene expression in MS (P < 0.0007). The second MS susceptibility region includes 17 genes on 12q13-14 in tight linkage disequilibrium. Of these, only 13 are expressed in leukocytes, and of these the expression of one, FAM119B, is much lower in the susceptibility haplotype (P tdthomlt; 10-14). Overall, these data indicate dysregulation of T cells can be detected in the whole blood of untreated MS patients, and supports targeting of activated T cells in therapy for all forms of MS.

Molecular theory for the effects of specific solute-solvent interaction on the diffusion of a solute particle in a molecular liquid

An understanding of the effect of specific solute-solvent interactions on the diffusion of a solute probe is a long standing problem of physical chemistry. In this paper a microscopic treatment of this effect is presented. The theory takes into account the modification of the solvent structure around the solute due to this specific interaction between them. It is found that for strong, attractive interaction, there is an enhanced coupling between the solute and the solvent dynamic modes (in particular, the density mode), which leads to a significant increase in the friction on the solute. The diffusion coefficient of the solute is found to depend strongly and nonlinearly on the magnitude of the attractive interaction. An interesting observation is that specific solute-solvent interaction can induce a crossover from a sliplike to a sticklike diffusion. In the limit of strong attractive interaction, we recover a dynamic version of the solvent-berg picture. On the other hand, for repulsive interaction, the diffusion coefficient of the solute increases. These results are in qualitative agreement with recent experimental observations.

Determination of specific leaf area of some commercially useful sub-tropical hardwood species

Variability of specific leaf area (SLA) across taxa, sites and crown zones was determined for four sub-tropical hardwood species, Eucalyptus grandis, E. cloeziana, E. argophloia and Corymbia citriodora ssp. variegata, growing in south-eastern Queensland. Mean SLA values were stable amongst those taxa sampled on dry sites but varied markedly between provenances of E. grandis on a moist site. Mean SLA did not vary significantly with crown zone in any of these four sub-tropical eucalypts, which is in contrast to that observed in temperate species, both in Australia and overseas. A provenance of E. cloeziana from a moist coastal site exhibited the largest SLA of all taxa studied.

The motivational benefits of specific versus general optimism

This study addresses the question whether a specific, work-related form of optimistic thinking has motivational consequences in terms of work engagement above and beyond general optimism over time. A specific form of optimistic thinking is focus on opportunities. Focus on opportunities is a future-oriented belief that describes how many plans, goals, and possibilities people expect to have in their future at work. Based on a cross-lagged panel design with a two-year time lag and data from a sample of 124 German business owners, results of structural equation modeling showed that focus on opportunities positively predicted changes in work engagement over time, even when controlling for general optimism. This finding supports propositions of social cognition and self-regulation theories that emphasize the importance of a specific form of optimism that has motivating potential by referring to future work goals and opportunities

Identification of Specific DNA Binding Residues in the TCP Family of Transcription Factors in Arabidopsis

The TCP transcription factors control multiple developmental traits in diverse plant species. Members of this family share an similar to 60-residue-long TCP domain that binds to DNA. The TCP domain is predicted to form a basic helix-loop-helix ( bHLH) structure but shares little sequence similarity with canonical bHLH domain. This classifies the TCP domain as a novel class of DNA binding domain specific to the plant kingdom. Little is known about how the TCP domain interacts with its target DNA. We report biochemical characterization and DNA binding properties of a TCP member in Arabidopsis thaliana, TCP4. We have shown that the 58-residue domain of TCP4 is essential and sufficient for binding to DNA and possesses DNA binding parameters comparable to canonical bHLH proteins. Using a yeast-based random mutagenesis screen and site-directed mutants, we identified the residues important for DNA binding and dimer formation. Mutants defective in binding and dimerization failed to rescue the phenotype of an Arabidopsis line lacking the endogenous TCP4 activity. By combining structure prediction, functional characterization of the mutants, and molecular modeling, we suggest a possible DNA binding mechanism for this class of transcription factors.

Continuous-cooling method of specific heat measurement in the temperature range 100-300 K

The authors have developed a simple continuous-cooling method to determine specific heat of liquids and solids in the temperature range 100-300 K. The technique employs very simple instrumentation and continuously records the sample temperature as it cools to the bath temperature through a calibrated heat link. They have obtained specific heat values which agree with the reported data to within 3% for the samples investigated. This method also facilitates easy detection of abrupt changes in specific heat, as demonstrated in the observation of glass transition in some organic glass-forming systems. The method is sensitive to the study of relaxing heat capacity in supercooled liquids.

Effect of specific FSH or LH deprivation on testicular function of the adult rat

While the need for FSH in initiating spermatogenesis in the immature rat is well accepted, its requirement for maintenance of spermatogenesis in adulthood is questioned. In the current study, using gonadotropin antisera to neutralize specifically either endogenous FSH or LH, we have investigated the effect of either FSH or LH deprivation for a 10-day period on (i) testicular macromolecular synthesis in vitro, (ii) the activities of testicular germ cell specific LDH-X and hyaluronidase enzymes, and finally (iii) on the concentration of sulphated glycoprotein (SGP-2), one of the Sertoli cell marker proteins. Both immature (35-day-old) and adult (100-day-old) rats have been used in this study. Since LH deprivation leads to a near total blockade of testosterone production, the ability of exogenous testosterone supplementation to override the effects of LH deficiency has also been evaluated. Deprivation of either of the gonadotropins significantly affected in vitro RNA and protein synthesis by both testicular minces as well as single cell preparations. Fractionation of dispersed testicular cells preincubated with labelled precursors of RNA and protein on Percoll density gradient revealed that FSH deprivation affected specifically the rate of RNA and protein synthesis of germ cell and not Leydig cell fraction. LH but not FSH deprivation inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. The inhibitory effect of LH could mostly be overriden by testosterone supplementation. LDH-X and hyaluronidase activities of testicular homogenates of adult rats showed significant reduction (50%; P less than .05) following either FSH or LH deprivation. Again testosterone supplementation was able to reverse the LH inhibitory effect.

Comparative studies on the effects of specific immunoneutralization of endogenous FSH or LH on testicular germ cell transformations in the adult bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

PROBLEM: It is yet to be determined clearly whether the two hormones FSH and T act synergistically in the same cell type-the Sertoli cells-to control overall spermatogenesis or influence independently the transformation of specific germ cell types during spermatogenesis in the adult mammal. METHOD: Adult male bonnet monkeys specifically deprived of either FSH or LH using immunoneutralization techniques were monitored for changes in testicular germ cell transformation by DNA flow cytometry. RESULTS: FSH deprivation caused a significant reduction (>40%; P < 0.05) in [H-3] thymidine incorporation into DNA of proliferating 2C (spermatogonial) cells, a marked inhibition (>50%) in the transformation of 2C to primary spermatocytes (4C) and a concomitant, belated reduction (50%) in the formation of round spermatids (1C). In contrast, specific LH/T deprivation led to an immediate arrest in the meiotic transformation of 4C to 1C/HC leading to an effective and significant block (<90%; P < 0.01) in sperm production. CONCLUSION: Thus, LH rather than FSH deprivation has a more pronounced and immediate effect as the former primarily blocks meiosis (4C --> 1C/HC) which controls production of spermatids. These data provide evidence for LH/T and FSH regulating spermatogenic process in the adult primate by primarily acting at specific germ cell transformation steps.

Development of specific DNA probes and their usage in the detection of Plasmodium vivax infection in blood

The application of nucleic acid probes, in the detection of pathogenic micro-organisms, has become an integral part of diagnostic technologies. In this study, Plasmodium vivax-specific DNA probes have been identified by carrying out genomic subtractive hybridization. In this approach, the recombinant clones from a P. vivax genomic library are screened with radiolabelled human and P. falciparum DNA. The colonies which react with labelled P. falciparum and human DNA are eliminated and those which do not produce any autoradiographic signal have been subjected to further screening procedures. Three Fl vivax specific DNA probes have been obtained by these repeated screenings. Further analyses indicate that these probes are specific and sensitive enough to detect P. vivax infection in clinical blood samples when used in a non-radioactive DNA hybridization assay. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited

Ecological Assessment of Lentic Water Bodies of Bangalore

The restoration, conservation and management of water resources require a thorough understanding of what constitutes a healthy ecosystem. Monitoring and assessment provides the basic information on the condition of our waterbodies. The present work details the study carried out at two waterbodies, namely, the Chamarajasagar reservoir and the Madiwala Lake. The waterbodies were selected on the basis of their current use and locations. Chamarajasagar reservoir serves the purpose of supplying drinking water to Bangalore city and is located on the outskirts of the city surrounded by agricultural and forest land. On the other hand, Madiwala lake is situated in the heart of Bangalore city receiving an influx of pollutants from domestic and industrial sewage. Comparative assessment of the surface water quality of both were carried out by instituting the various physico–chemical and biological parameters. The physico-chemical analyses included temperature, transparency, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, nitrates, phosphates, sodium, potassium and COD measurements of the given waterbody. The analysis was done based on the standard methods prescribed (or recommended) by (APHA) and NEERI. The biological parameter included phytoplankton analysis. The detailed investigations of the parameters, which are well within the tolerance limits in Chamarajasagar reservoir, indicate that it is fairly unpolluted, except for the pH values, which indicate greater alkalinity. This may be attributed to the natural causes and the agricultural runoff from the catchment. On the contrary, the limnology of Madiwala lake is greatly influenced by the inflow of sewage that contributes significantly to the dissolved solids of the lake water, total hardness, alkalinity and a low DO level. Although, the two study areas differ in age, physiography, chemistry and type of inflows, they still maintain a phytoplankton distribution overwhelmingly dominated by Cyanophyceae members,specifically Microcystis aeruginosa. These blue green algae apparently enter the waterbodies from soil, which are known to harbour a rich diversity of blue green flora with several species common to limnoplankton, a feature reported to be unique to the south Indian lakes.Chamarajasagar water samples revealed five classes of phytoplankton, of which Cyanophyceae (92.15 percent) that dominated other algal forms comprised of one single species of Microcystis aeruginosa. The next major class of algae was Chlorophyceae (3.752 percent) followed by Dinophyceae (3.51 percent), Bacillariophyceae (0.47 percent) and a sparsely available and unidentified class (0.12 percent).Madiwala Lake phytoplankton, in addition to Cyanophyceae (26.20 percent), revealed a high density of Chlorophyceae members (73.44 percent) dominated by Scenedesmus sp.,Pediastrum sp., and Euglena sp.,which are considered to be indicators of organic pollution. The domestic and industrial sewage, which finds its way into the lake, is a factor causing organic pollution. As compared to the other classes, Euglenophyceae and Bacillariophyceae members were the lowest in number. Thus, the analysis of various parameters indicates that Chamarajasagar reservoir is relatively unpolluted except for the high percentage of Microcystis aeruginosa, and a slightly alkaline nature of water. Madiwala lake samples revealed eutrophication and high levels of pollution, which is clarified by the physico–chemical analysis, whose values are way above the tolerance limits. Also, the phytoplankton analysis in Madiwala lake reveals the dominance of Chlorophyceae members, which indicate organic pollution (sewage being the causative factor).