Effect of nutritional supplements and protease inhibitor on the yield of es antigens ofBrugia malayi microfilariaein vitro

Brugia malayi microfilarial excretory-secretory (mf ES) antigens obtained byin vitro maintenance of mf are important tools in the immunodiagnosis of bancroftian filariasis. To increase the yield of mf ES products, the effect of nutritional supplements on the culture medium (RPMI 1640) and the maintenance temperature were studied. Supplementation of RPMI 1640 medium with organic acids and sugars of Grace's insect culture medium forin vitro maintenance of 10 lakhs of mf in 40 ml medium increased the yield of mf ES antigen from 152 μg to 364 μg of mean protein, content and the mean antigen titre from 200 to 400. Supplementation with phenyl methyl sulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) and shift in the culture temperature resulted in a further increase in the yield of mf ES antigen to 502 μg of mean total protein with an antigen titre of 800. The modification resulted in a net increase of 3 fold in the protein content and 4 fold in the antigen titre of ES products. The above modifications in thein vitro maintenance of mf did not affect the diagnostic quality of mf ES antigen, which gave a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 90% respectively in detection of filarial IgG antibodies inWuchereria bancrofti infected cases.     

Immunoproteomic analysis of secretory proteins ofAspergillus fumigatus with specific IGE immunoreactivity

Allergenic/antigenic proteins are known to induce Type I and Type III hypersensitivity reactions leading to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in immunocompetent host. The common structural features or intrinsic properties of the allergens/antigens leading to allergenicity in a host are not well understood. In the current report, comparative analysis of proteins on two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-3) and specific IgE immunoblots ofA. fumigatus secretory proteins (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd week culture filtrate proteins) was carried out. We observed a total of 159 proteins in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd week culture filtrates ofA. fumigatus. Specific IgE immunoreactivity was observed in 75 proteins with different intensity. Third week culture filtrate showed maximum number of proteins, 142, and specific IgE immunoreactive proteins, 65. MALDI-TOF analysis resulted in putative identification of two allergens as hypothetical protein YBL057c fromSaccharomyces cereviseae and unnamed protein product fromDebaryomyces hansenii (similar to IPF14568 ofCandida albicans). Identification of a repertoire of specific IgE immunoreactive proteins will facilitate the studies on structure-function relationship of these proteins relevant for diagnosis and pathogenesis.     

Use of antigen prepared from in vitro culture ofPlasmodium falciparum for the detection of antibodies in sera from patients exposed toPlasmodium vivax

The blood stage parasites fromin vitro cultures ofPlasmodium falciparum were employed for the detection of malaria antibodies in patient sera havingP. vivax infections employing indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. The antibody titres obtained for theP. vivax infected sera ranged from 1∶128 to 1∶1024. Control slides smeared with non-immune sera did not show any fluorescence. On the basis of the results of the present study it maybe concluded that antigen prepared fromin vitro cultures ofP. falciparum cross-reacts withP. vivax antibodies.     

Antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activities of different fractions of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia arjuna</Emphasis> stem bark

Terminalia arjuna (T. arjuna) stem bark was successively extracted with petroleum ether (A), solvent ether (B), ethanol (C) and water (D). The lipid lowering activity of these four fractions A, B, C, and D was evaluatedin vivo in two models viz., triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipemia in rats as well as fructose rich high fat diet (HFD) fed diabetic- dyslipidemic hamsters. Hyperlipidemia induced by triton caused marked increase in the plasma levels of total cholesterol (Tc), triglyceride (Tg) and phospholipids (PL) in rats. After treament withT. arjuna fractions A, B, C, and D at the doses of 250 mg/kg per oral (p.o.),only the ethanolic fraction (C) exerted significant lipid lowering effect as assessed by reversal of plasma levels of Tc, Tg and PL in hyperlipidemic rats. In another experiment, feeding with HFD produced marked dyslipidemia as observed by increased levels of plasma Tc, Tg, glucose (Glu), glycerol (Gly) and free fatty acids (FFA) in hamsters. After treatment withT. arjuna fractions at the doses of 250 mg/kg p.o. only two fraction (B and C) could exert significant lowering in the plasma levels of lipids and Glu. in dyslipidemic hamsters.In vitro experimentT. arjuna fractions at tested concentrations (50–500 μg/ml) inhibited the oxidative degradation of lipids in human low density lipoprotein and rat liver microsomes induced by metal ions. These fractions when tested against generation of oxygen free radicals at the concentrations (50–500 μg/ml), counteracted the formation of superoxide anions (O⁻²) and hydrodyl radicals (OH) in non enzymic test systems. The efficacy ofT. arjuna fractions as antidyslipidemic and antioxidant agents was found, fraction C> fraction B> fraction A.     

Detection of tubercular antibody and antigen in sera of bone and joint tuberculosis

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) solubilized and DEAE fractionatedMycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Ra excretory-secretory (ES) antigen viz., Mtb EST DE1 and affinity purified goat antibodies to the TCA solubilized ES antigen (Mtb EST) were explored in detecting tubercular antibody and antigen respectively in sera of bone and joint tuberculosis by indirect and sandwich ELISA. Out of total 36 bone & joint tuberculosis cases, tubercular antibody was detected by indirect ELISA in 30 patients (sensitivity 83%), while circulating tubercular antigen was detected by sandwich ELISA in 27 patients (sensitivity 75%). Out of 34 non tubercular disease control cases, 10 patients showed positive reaction for antibody while only 4 patients showed positive reaction for antigen. In another group of 34 healthy subjects who were screened, 4 individuals showed positive reaction for tubercular antibody and 2 cases for antigen. This study shows that antigen detection assay using affinity purified anti Mtb EST antigen antibody is superior with overall specificity of 91% as compared to antibody detection assay with 75% specificity in bone & joint tuberculosis.     

Immune response to n-terminal and c-terminal deletion mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus major allergen ASP F 3

The ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes allergic rhinitis, asthma, sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. A number of major allergens from A. fumigatus are purified, but their structure-function role in the pathogenesis of disease is not known. Such information is essential for devising alternative therapy of fungal allergic diseases. In the present study, N-terminal and C-terminal deletion mutants ofAsp f 3 were constructed and their immunopathological responses studied in a mice model of allergy. Three mutants viz,Asp f 3 (aa 33–168), (aa 1–142), and (aa 23–142) were made by deleting certain amino acids from epitopic regions of full lengthAsp f 3, a major allergen of A. furnigatus. TheAsp f 3 and three mutated proteins were expressed in pET vector. The C-terminal deletion mutantAsp f 3 (aa 1–142) induced elevated IFN-γ but low levels of IL-4 by spleen cells. This mutant also showed significant downregulation of peripheral blood eosinophils and lung inflammation in immunized mice. The N-terminal deletion mutantAsp f 3 (aa 33–168) also exhibited an immuno-suppressive effect in terms of IgE production and induction of Th2 cytokine. The results indicate thatrAsp f 3 and its deletion mutants induced distinct immune-inflammatory responses in mice on challenge with these proteins. The non-IgE binding deletion mutants ofAsp f 3 (aa 1–142 and aa 33–168) could deviate Th2 immune response with a concomitant reduction in airway inflammation and infiltration of inflammatory cells.     

国际著名四大医学周刊栏目设置及对我国医学期刊的启示

【目的】探讨国际著名医学期刊JAMA《美国医学会杂志》、NEJM《新英格兰医学杂志》、The Lancet《柳叶刀》和BMJ《英国医学杂志》(简称四大医学周刊)的栏目设置及内容特色。【方法】逐期浏览2013年1-6月四大医学周刊,其中BMJ 26期,JAMA 24期,NEJM 26期,The Lancet 25期,分析101期期刊的栏目设置及内容特色。【结果】 四大医学周刊每期都包括十几个栏目,有固定栏目和非固定栏目,每个栏目根据期刊内容刊登不同数量的文章。内容主要以研究类、观点类、通信类、人文类等为主。【结论】四大医学周刊栏目设置多样、灵活、内容丰富,突出了期刊办刊特色及办刊宗旨。     

Improvement of Desferrioxamine B Production of Streptomyces pilosus ATCC 19797 With Use of Protease Inhibitor and Minerals Related to Its Activity

The relationship between protease and Desferal production was assayed. Experiments were performed using a cultivation of Streptomyces pilosus ATCC 19797 in soybean broth medium containing 2% soybean flour and 2% mannitol. The metabolism of the trihydroxamic acid sidrophore desferrioxamine B and protease production by a S. pilosus in nine continues days after culture were investigated as well as the effect of protease inhibitors was examined. It is found that the Desferal formation decreased with increased protease production. Also the effect of protease inhibitors and minerals in determined day of protease production in the culture medium by S. pilosus has been investigated.     

行业期刊提升选题策划质量的途径——以《中国环境管理》的实践为例

【目的】 探讨行业期刊提升选题策划质量的途径。【方法】 结合《中国环境管理》的实践探索,对行业期刊快速积累选题资源的途径进行了梳理。【结果】 行业期刊应尽可能发挥选题的集聚效应、注重时效性和可读性。《中国环境管理》的稿件质量有较大改善,同时行业影响力逐步提升。【结论】 提升选题策划质量是塑造行业期刊品牌的有效途径。     

敦煌绿洲1955 年至2010 年胡杨年生长季对气候变化的响应

利用敦煌绿洲气象站1955年-2010年日平均气温资料,采用气候倾向率、Mann-Kendall检验、相关分析及Morlet小波功率谱等方法分析了研究区胡杨生长季对全球气候变化的响应。结果表明：近56a来,研究区胡杨年生长季有开始日提前,终止日推后,年生长季天数延长的趋势;展叶始日有提前趋势,叶黄初日有推后趋势。胡杨生长季开始日、展叶始日分别与3月和4月平均气温呈负相关关系,胡杨生长季终止日、生长期天数及叶黄初日分别与10月、3月-11月及8月-9月平均气温呈正相关关系。胡杨生长季开始日、终止日、生长季天数、展叶期及叶黄初日均具有多个突变,存在3.77~8.33a的短尺度周期,这反映出研究区胡杨生长季对气候变化响应十分敏感。     

基于SWOT分析的科技期刊精品化发展战略——以《热带地理》近年办刊实践为例

【目的】 基于《热带地理》近年办刊实践,探讨科技期刊的精品化发展战略,为科技期刊在实践操作方面提供参考。【方法】 以精品意识作为办刊理念,以SWOT模型作为分析思路,对《热带地理》当前办刊面临的外部机遇和挑战、本身所具有的优势和劣势进行全面分析。【结果】 抓住热点组织专题、转变地域限制为地域特色、增设“学术争鸣”栏目是《热带地理》实施精品化、特色化发展的战略措施,在提升期刊核心竞争力方面起到了切实可行的拉动作用,带动期刊飞跃发展;摸索出一条确保专题高质量出版的创新模式：精选专题主题→发布征稿启事或邀稿函→专题参与者提交文章题目→举办专题中期研讨会或圆桌论坛→专题出版→专题有效传播。【结论】 期刊应该精准分析自身的发展机遇,充分利用自身存在的优势,有效转变劣势,有针对性地制定科学可行的精品化发展战略,这是提升期刊竞争力的有效途径。     

六盘山生态旅游区水质变化对人类旅游活动干扰的动态响应

本文以水质动态监测数据为基础,从旅游水环境干扰指数和旅游者可接受改变限度（Limits of Acceptable Change,LAC）的双重视角来分析六盘山生态旅游区水质变化对人类旅游活动干扰的响应。分析结果表明：①在旅游季节内,旅游区水质主要指标在Ⅱ类水质标准范围内,个别指标达到Ⅲ类。但部分区段水质干扰程度达到3级和4级严重干扰的水平;②在旅游区不同采样点,水质变化差异较大。其中核心区维持在正常水平,随着旅游方式的改变,干扰逐渐加大,民俗村、宾馆变化最剧烈;③旅游者对水体浊度的可接受改变程度为8.95NTU;④旅游水环境干扰指数与其它响应变量显著相关,可作为评估旅游系统干扰响应程度的一项简易而有效的指标。目前六盘山旅游活动已开始对部分地区水质以及旅游者的游憩体验产生负面影响,规范旅游区开发建设十分迫切。