Sequential Serum Cytokine Levels of TNF-Alpha,IL-4 and IL-12 are Associated with Prognosis in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

We investigated the prognostic role of TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-12 in a clinically well defined group of Plasmodium falciparum infected patients (n = 32) sequentially from Day 0 to Day 10 with a 2 day interval along with a control group of 16 healthy volunteers of same range of age and sex. Infection with malaria is often fatal because mitochondria are unable to generate enough ATP to maintain normal cellular function. ATP deficiency arises in malaria due to an inability of mitochondria through the effects of inflammatory cytokines on their function, to utilize available oxygen. In our study TNF-alpha and IL-12 levels were significantly elevated but IL-4 level showed persistent decline in Day 0, but subsequent measurement in Day 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 showed persistent decline in levels of TNF-alpha and IL-12, an elevation in IL-4 levels which were associated with disease prognosis of the infected patients. These results again provide evidence that cytokines are very much a dominant partner in malaria pathogenesis with a specific prognostic role.     

An XML-based information model for archaeological pottery

INTRODUCTION There is growing consensus among computa-tional scientists that observational data, result of computation and other forms of information produced by an individual or a research group need to be shared and used by other authorized groups across the world through the entire life cycle of the information (Wil-liams, 1998; Rowe et al., 2001). The Web has revo-lutionized the electronic publication of data. It has relied primarily on HTML that emphasizes a hypertext document app…     

The Relationships Between Peer-to-Peer Interactions,Group Formation,Choice of Research,and Course Performance in an Online Environment

Journal of Science Education and Technology - This study explores the relationships between peer-to-peer interactions and (1) group formation among students, (2) choice of research, and (3) course...