Detection of enzymes dehydrogenases and proteases inBrugia malayi filarial parasites

Lymphatic filariasis caused mainly by infection fromW. bancrofti andB. malayi remains a major cause of clinical morbidity in tropical and subtropical countries. Analysis ofB. malayi mf, infective larval and adult worm lysates for the activity of enzymes led to the demonstration of activities of three key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism viz., Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), Malic enzyme (ME) and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in all the three stages of the parasite. The specific activity of all the three dehydrogenases was significantly high in mf lysate compared to their activity in lysates of the other two stages (P<0.001). Analysis by native polyacrylamide gel to their activity inlysates of the other two stages (P<0.001). Analysis by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) using 7.5% non-gradient gel showed the presence of two isoforms of each of the three enzymes (MDH, ME & G6PDH) in mf lysate, while only one form of each enzyme was present in L₃ larval and adult worm lysates. Further proteolytic enzyme activity was demonstrated both in microfilarial and infective larval lysates ofB. malayi. While both mf and L₃ larval lysates showed optimal protease activity at alkaline pH of 9.0, the mf lysate showed increased activity also at pH 3.0. The infective larval lysate was markedly inhibited by Tosylamide-L-Phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), a thiol protease inhibitor, while the protease activity in mf lysate was significantly inhibited by both TPCK and a serine protease inhibitor Phenyl Methyl Sulphonyl Flouride (PMSF). In sodium do-decyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), using gelatin copolymerized gel, the microfilarial lysate showed 3 protease molecules of 40 kDa, 180 kDa and 200 kDa and the L₃ larval lysate had 6 protease molecules of 18, 25, 37, 49, 70 and 200 kDa size.     

Diagnostic and prognostic value of the urinary excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid in patients with urinary bladder cancer

Urinary excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIB), was determined in 28 active and 12 inactive bladder cancer patients. Mean excretion of BAIB was higher in active cancer patients-187.8 mg/24 hours whereas it was 120.4 mg/24 hours in inactive cancer patients. The increased BAIB excretion in both disease groups was independent of tumour stage. BAIB appears to be a useful diagnositic aid in the assessment of bladder cancer patients.     

Lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase in ischemic heart disease

With the growing interest in the concept of free radicals in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia, it was thought worthwhile to study the changes in lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in ischemic heart disease (IHD). The study was carried out on 76 patients of IHD-38 of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 38 of stable ischemic heart disease (SIDH). They were age and sex matched with 38 normal healthy controls. A significant increase (p<0.001) in lipid peroxides as malondialdehyde (MDA) (5.9±0.7 mmol/L) and a decrease in GPx (24.6±2.2 U/gmHb) was found in patients of AMI when compared with controls. There was no significant difference in these values in SIHD. Thus this study confirms the earlier findings that MDA and GPx are useful parameters in IHD and their magnitude is dependent on severity and/or duration of ischemia. We suggest that these tests would be of use in smaller institutions with limited facilities.     

N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase,alanine aminopeptidase and protein: Creatinine ratio as early indicators of diabetic microangiopathy

The urinary excretion patterns of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) and protein/creatinine ratio (UP/UCR) were studied in 133 diabetic subjects under treatment, 7 patients with established diabetic nephropathy (DN) and 79 carefully selected (age-matched) healthy subjects. NAG, AAP and UP/UCR were highly elevated in DN, while in diabetics urinary NAG levels correlated well with the degree of long-term metabolic control indicated by glycosylated hemoglobin (GHB or Hba1). Both AAP and UP/UCR were found to be more sensitive than NAG, but less specific. Urinary NAG and AAP assays thus offer simple, sensitive and non-invasive techniques for prognostic indication of the onset of microangiopathic changes in long-term diabetic subjects.     

Effect of thiazide drug compound on the testicular protein and cholesterol contents of albino rat

In this study the effect of thiazide diuretic compound on the protein and cholesterol contents in the testes of albino rats as the experimental model. The drug thiazide was administered orally daily for 10,20 and 30 days at the dose of 100mg/kg body weight. Total protein decrease in the testes of rats were evidenced may be due to the side effects of thiazide drug compound which is linked with the hyponatremia and protein metabolism. An elevated level of cholesterol contents observed in thiazide treated rats also revealed that the side effect of drug compound thiazide and also may be due to the stimulation of catecholamine which is stimulated therefore, the biochemical estimation such as protein and cholesterol in the testes after the thiazide treatment determined the effectiveness of diuretic drug compound would provide clinical evidences of their side effects.     

Study on arsenic level in ground water of Delhi using hydride generator accessory coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Surveillance of drinking water is essentially a health measure intended to protect the public from water borne diseases. Hydride generator accessory coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to analyze arsenic level in 49 ground water samples collected from different areas of Delhi. Arsenic level in ground water samples was in the range of 0.0170 to 0.100 ppm (Mean-0.0431, Standard Deviation-0.0136, Std. error of Mean-0.00194) with minimum concentration at Raney Well No. 7 (0.0170 ppm) and maximum at Kotla Mubarak Pur (0.100 ppm). Arsenic containing sediments and percolation of chemicals into soil as the result of dumping of garbage rich in chemicals into open landfills could be the possible source of arsenic in ground water of Delhi. Extensive survey and continuous monitoring is required to be made to assess the magnitude of problem and earlier intervention.     

Helping science methods students construct meaning from text

Conclusion The pursuit of meaning through reflection is an ultimate goal of teacher education. The reading reaction sheet strategy is one way to help methods students construct meaning about science teaching and learning, and is applicable to other college courses where considerable reading is expected. Furthermore, through instructor modeling (Kyle, Abell, & Shymansky, 1989; Yeany & Padilla, 1986), preservice teachers are more likely to employ techniques for reading in the content area in their own teaching. Thus the reading reaction sheet strategy illustrates the integration of research in reading, writing, and science education and its application to classroom practice.     

Smooth-pursuit eye movements in the newborn infant.

The capacity of newborn infants to smooth-pursuit eye movements in single-target tracking and in optokinetic nystagmus to a moving striped field was examined utilizing DC electrooculography. Smooth-pursuit movements were observed in all infants who were alert during testing, but they occupied less than 15% of viewing time during single-target tracking. The velocity of smooth-pursuit segments in single-target tracking increased linearly to a target velocity of 19 degrees/sec and deteriorated rapidly at faster speeds. No smooth pursuit occurred above 32 degrees/sec in single-target tracking. By contrast, optokinetic nystagmus was observed at all field velocities to 40 degrees/sec, but the speed of the mean slow component increased linearly to 25 degrees/sec and diminished above that field velocity. Infant optokinetic nystagmus differed strikingly from that of adults in that tonic ocular deviation was in the direction of field movement rather than away from it. This feature of neonatal optokinetic nystagmus is consistent with deficient foveal function and suggests that the relatively poor smooth-pursuit performance of newborns may be related to foveal immaturity.     

Telling Our Story: A Case Study of a Collaborative Departmental Blog at Syracuse University Libraries

ABSTRACT

This case study will take readers through the planning and publication process of a collaborative departmental library blog at Syracuse University, which is a large private, non-profit research intensive university located in central New York State. It will provide an overview of the history of the project and the mission of the blog. It will describe the technical aspects, developing a publication schedule, and the editorial responsibilities of maintaining the blog. The impact of the blog is documented. The blog has raised awareness of the librarians' expertise and this is explored alongside how posts have contributed to a number of wider conversations in librarianship.