Presence of RD149 Deletions in M. tuberculosis Central Asian Strain1 Isolates Affect Growth and TNFα Induction in THP-1 Monocytes

Central Asian Strain 1 (CAS1) is the prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis genogroup in South Asia. CAS1 strains carry deletions in RD149 and RD152 regions. Significance of these deletions is as yet unknown. We compared CAS1 strains with RD149 and concurrent RD149-RD152 deletions with CAS1 strains without deletions and with the laboratory reference strain, M. tuberculosis H37Rv for growth and for induction of TNFα, IL6, CCL2 and IL10 in THP-1 cells. Growth of CAS1 strains with deletions was slower in broth (RD149; p = 0.024 and RD149-RD152; p = 0.025) than that of strains without deletions. CAS1 strains with RD149 deletion strains further showed reduced intracellular growth (p = 0.013) in THP-1 cells as compared with strains without deletions, and also as compared with H37Rv (p = 0.007) and with CAS1 RD149-RD152 deletion strains (p = 0.029). All CAS1 strains induced higher levels of TNFα and IL10 secretion in THP-1 cells than H37Rv. Additionally, CAS1 strains with RD149 deletions induced more TNFα secretion than those without deletions (p = 0.013). CAS1 RD149 deletion strains from extrapulmonary sources showed more rapid growth and induced lower levels of TNFα and IL6 secretion in THP-1 cells than isolates from pulmonary sources. This data suggests that presence of RD149 reduces growth and increases the induction of TNFα in host cells by CAS1 strains. Differences observed for extrapulmonary strains may indicate an adaptation which increases potential for dissemination and tropism outside the lung. Overall, we hypothesise that RD149 deletions generate genetic diversity within strains and impact interactions of CAS1 strains with host cells with important clinical consequences

Assessment of patulin in different cultivars of apples, juices, and distribution in decay portion

Patulin (PAT) is a toxic class of mycotoxins, which is produced by fungi mainly by Penicillium expansum. Samples of apples (740 samples from Amri, Gacha, Kala Kulu, and Golden cultivars) and of apple juices (740 samples) available domestically in Pakistan were analysed for PAT contamination using HPLC with a UV detector. The results have shown that 67.5% and 61.6% samples of apples and juices were found to be positive with PAT, respectively. The highest averages levels 310.8 ± 21.5 μg/kg and 290.8 ± 14.6 μg/kg were found in samples of golden apples and juices, respectively. The findings have shown that 44.8% samples of apples were found levels higher than the European Union (EU) permissible limit (i.e. 50 µg/kg). Furthermore, 41.0% samples of apple juices have amount of PAT higher than the recommended limit of EU. The artificially inoculated apple with Penicillium expansum, a level 5080 ± 230.4 μg/kg was found in the decayed section. The maximum dietary intake of PAT was estimated to be 15.7 and 17.93 µg/kg bw/day in males and female individuals. The results have shown that even removing the decayed portion of apples, a considerable amount of PAT penetrates during the process of making juices

Design of Wearable Antenna System on Different Materials & Their Performance Analysis at the Off and On Body Environment in terms of Impedance Matching and Radiation Characteristics

This paper aims to design textile microstrip patch antennas on three different high performance fabric materials as substrates and a conventional patch antenna on FR-4 (PCB) substrate, imposed on human body environment for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. It also compares the performance of the designed antennas at the on and off body environment. These antennas operate on ISM 2.45 GHz frequency band. Electro textile materials, Panama fabric (εr= 2.12), Fleece (εr =2.22) and Dacron fabric (εr =3) as well as PCB material (εr =4.3) are used as the antenna substrates. A human body model having three layers (skin, fat and muscle) is then developed and the antennas are applied on this body model to investigate their characteristics and performance and also the impact of human body layers on these antennas

Design of Wearable Antenna System on Different Materials & Their Performance Analysis at the Off and On Body Environment in terms of Impedance Matching and Radiation Characteristics

This paper aims to design textile microstrip patch antennas on three different high performance fabric materials as substrates and a conventional patch antenna on FR-4 (PCB) substrate, imposed on human body environment for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. It also compares the performance of the designed antennas at the on and off body environment. These antennas operate on ISM 2.45 GHz frequency band. Electro textile materials, Panama fabric (εr= 2.12), Fleece (εr =2.22) and Dacron fabric (εr =3) as well as PCB material (εr =4.3) are used as the antenna substrates. A human body model having three layers (skin, fat and muscle) is then developed and the antennas are applied on this body model to investigate their characteristics and performance and also the impact of human body layers on these antennas

Effective testing for pulmonary tuberculosis using Xpert MTB/RIF assay for stool specimens in immunocompetent Pakistani children

Objective/background: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is largely a paucibacillary disease and difficult to diagnose. It is difficult to obtain a sputum or gastric aspirate (GA) sample, and patients are often undiagnosed and treated empirically. Stool is a noninvasive specimen not usually used for TB testing in Pakistan. We investigated the value of Xpert MTB/RIF to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in children with pulmonary TB cases, by performing comparative testing of GA and stool samples. Method: We recruited 60 children aged 1–15 years, suspected of TB, from the Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan and The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All were immunocompetent. Patients had a Kenneth Jones TB score of ≥5. Paired GA/sputum and stool samples were collected for testing. All GA samples were tested by Xpert MTB/RIF assay and MTB culture, while stool was tested by Xpert MTB/RIF. Results: The study participants included 27 males and 23 females with a mean age of 6 years and a mean TB (Kenneth Jones) score of 7. Stool was received in the laboratory within 1–2 days of the GA sample for all but one participant, who expired. The rates of MTB detection were as follows: 22% (11 cases) based on Xpert MTB testing of GA, 21% (10 cases) based on MTB culture of GA, and 21% (10 cases) based on Xpert MTB testing of stool. No rifampicin resistance was detected. Overall, there was concordance between testing of GA and stool. One case had GA with low positive Xpert and positive MTB culture, but negative stool Xpert result. In another case, there was low positive GA Xpert, positive GA MTB culture, and positive stool Xpert. A positive Xpert MTB stool test was associated with a higher TB score (>5) and a greater bacillary load. All 11 cases of TB diagnosed were put on antituberculous therapy and responded well to treatment. Conclusion: Use of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for stool-based diagnosis of pulmonary TB in immunocompetent children is useful in a resource poor setting. This is a valuable and noninvasive diagnostic alternative for the diagnosis of childhood TB and can be adapted by pediatric arms of national TB programs