Studies on the pathogenesis of coeliac disease

Results of the Leucocyte Migration Inhibition (LMI) test with gluten in adult coeliac disease are shown to be affected by the histocompatibility antigen HLA-B8. Normal subjects with B8 show greater immunity than those lacking B8 and give similar results to untreated coeliacs. B8 and non-B8 coeliacs give similar results. A gluten-free diet produces an early increase in immunity in coeliacs with a later decline. Production of migration inhibitory factors in blood and by jejunal mucosa are inversely correlated. Untreated coeliacs give positive responses in the LMI test to several dietary antigens similar in magnitude and prevalence to those seen with gluten. These responses are uninfluenced by HLA-B8 and do not increase after gluten exclusion. Results of the LMI test with gluten are unaffected by puromycin and results of the test performed with purified polymorphs are similar to and correlate with results of the standard test. Added T lymphocytes have no effect. These results contrast with those seen with PPD as antigen. Normal leucocytes can be sensitised to gluten by coeliac serum and this sensitisation can be blocked by IgG, suggesting that migration inhibition is mediated by cytophilic antibody and not T cell produced lvmphokines. Jejunal mucosal biopsies from treated coeliac patients are co-cultured with autologous blood mononuclear cells. These biopsies show no significant damage with gluten or lymphocytes alone but quantitative histology shows evidence of toxicity when biopsies are cultured with gluten and lymphocytes together. Phosphatidyl inositol turnover in cultured biopsies is measured to try and detect a lectin-like effect of gluten but shows no difference between coeliacs and controls. The findings are discussed and the relevant literature is reviewed

Strategy for community water supplies

Strategy for community water supplie

Conditions Under Which Assessment Supports Students’ Learning

Much evaluation of teaching focuses on what teachers do in class. This article focuses on the evaluation of assessment arrangements and the way they affect student learning out of class. It is assumed that assessment has an overwhelming influence on what, how and how much students study. The article proposes a set of ‘conditions under which assessment supports learning’ and justifies these with reference to theory, empirical evidence and practical experience. These conditions are offered as a framework for teachers to review the effectiveness of their own assessment practice

Mixed-monolayer glyconanoparticles for the detection of cholera toxin by surface enhanced raman spectroscopy

The same interactions that a pathogen uses for establishment in a host can be exploited in its detection. The carbohydrates comprising the intestinal cell surface GM1-ganglioside, are targeted by vibrio cholerae via the lectin, cholera toxin, to initiate infection. We report on the preparation of mixed-monolayer, carbohydrate-coated silver nanoparticles (glyconanoparticles) for the sensitive (56 ng/mL), low volume detection of cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB) in synthetic freshwater samples and in 5 minutes by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The detection limit falls within the recommended detection range and matches WHO approved test limits. PEGylated galactose and sialic acid are added in a specific ratio to coat the particles in GM1-ganglioside mimics for interaction with CTB and display a synergic effect greater than either glycan alone. This demonstrates the first use of a mixed-monolayer glyconanoparticle which mimics the GM1 ligand, allowing selective interaction with CTB

Breast cancer risk and imprinting methylation in blood

Date of Acceptance: 17/08/2015 Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Breast Cancer Campaign (2008MayPR46) and Fraserburgh Moonlight Prowl Breast Cancer Charity. PH, GH and GWH acknowledge the support of the Scottish Government. We would like to thank Val Bain and Michela Donnarumma for help with the data and sample collection.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Strategic use of nickel(0)-catalyzed enyne–epoxide reductive coupling toward the synthesis of (−)-cyatha-3,12-diene

Various situations are explored in which the nickel(0)-catalyzed enyne–epoxide reductive coupling was utilized to access key intermediates toward the total synthesis of (−)-cyatha-3,12-diene (1). Enantioenriched 3,5-dien-1-ols with a variety of functionality were obtained in a straightforward manner from easily accessible 1,3-enynes and terminal epoxides.National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U.S.) (GM-063755)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Progra

Effects of wheat and oat-based whole grain foods on serum lipoprotein size and distribution in overweight middle aged people : a randomised controlled trial

Peer reviewedPublisher PD