Glucocorticoid Receptors and the Pattern of Steroid Response in Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Introduction: Little is known about the relationships between the T lymphocytes (CD3+) expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) and the response to glucocorticoid treatment in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). The aim of the current study is to determine whether steroid responsiveness is dependent on the amount of T lymphocytes GCR expressionMethods: We studied 60 children with idiopathic NS in the age group from 2-10 years. According to the response to steroids we classified our patients into early responders (ER; n=46) and late responders (LR; n=14). Sixty age and gender matched healthy children represented the control group. The clinical and laboratory findings at baseline and GCR expression by T lymphocytes (CD3+) as determined by flow cytometry were compared between the three groups.Results: The T lymphocytes (CD3+) expression of GCR was significantly lower in the LR than that in the control group (P<0.01), whereas it was similar in the ER and control groups. GCR expression was also decreased in the LR group compared to the ER group (P<0.01). Furthermore, the T lymphocytes (CD3+) expression of GCR correlated inversely with the time to complete remission (CR) (r = -0.54, P<0.05), but not with urinary protein excretion at baseline.Conclusion: The levels of T lymphocytes (CD3+) expression of GCR may be a useful predictor of steroid responsiveness in children presenting with idiopathic NS

In vitro effect of Aqueouscalotropis procera root extract on ammonium sulphate precipitated liver marker enzymes of albino rats

The in vitro effect of aqueous root extract of C. procera on liver marker enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of albino rats was evaluated. ALT was precipitated at 40% ammonium sulphate saturation whilst AST and ALP were precipitated at 35 % saturation from rat liver homogenate. The   enzymes were assayed at varying concentrations (mg/ml) of the extract (0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45. 0.50) at 37oC. At 0.00µmg/ml extract; ALT, AST and ALP activities of 5.91 ~ 10-4, 2.70 ~ 10-4 and 3. 74 ~ 10-5 µmol/min respectively. Upon incubation with  extract, the enzymes had respective mean activities of 6.38 } 0.35 ~ 10-4, 4.07 } 0.62 ~ 10-4and 2.80 } 0.44 ~ 10-5µmol/min. The activities of ALT and AST were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in presence of C. procera extract with significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the activity of ALP. It  indicates that the aqueous root extract of C. procera activated ALT and AST and inhibited ALP in vitro.Keywords: in vitro, C. procera,liver marker enzymes, ammonium sulphat

Quality assessment of virus-like particle: A new transmission electron microscopy approach

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a gold standard analytical method for nanoparticle characterization and is playing a valuable role in virus-like particle (VLP) characterization extending to other biological entities such as viral vectors. A dedicated TEM facility is a challenge to both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and companies operating in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) due to high start-up and running costs. A low-voltage TEM solution with assisted image acquisition and analysis such as the MiniTEM system, coupled with Vironova Imaging and Analysis Software (VIAS) could provide an affordable and practical alternative. The MiniTEM system has a small footprint and software that enables semi-automated data collection and image analysis workflows using built-in deep learning methods (convolutional neural networks) for automation in analysis, increasing speed of information processing and enabling scaling to larger datasets. In this perspective we outline the potential and challenges in the use of TEM as mainstream analytical tool in manufacturing settings. We highlight the rationale and preliminary findings from our proof-of-concept study aiming to develop a method to assess critical quality attributes (CQAs) of VLPs and facilitate adoption of TEM in manufacturing settings. In our study we explored all the steps, from sample preparation to data collection and analysis using synthetic VLPs as model systems. The applicability of the method in product development was verified at pilot-scale during the technology transfer of dengue VLPs development from a university setting to an LMIC- based vaccine manufacturing company, demonstrating the applicability of this analytical technique to VLP vaccine characterization

Chloride binding and mobility in sodium carbonate-activated slag pastes and mortars

This study evaluates the chloride binding capacity and the migration of chloride in sodium carbonate-activated slag cements and mortars. The effect on chloride mobility and binding of adding a calcined layered double hydroxide (CLDH) to the binder mix was also assessed. Significantly improved durability characteristics can be achieved for sodium carbonate-activated slag mortars by the addition of small fractions of CLDH, as a consequence of a higher degree of reaction, higher chloride binding capacity, and the refined pore structures present in these modified materials, in comparison with alkali-activated cements produced without CLDH. The addition of CLDH enables the production of sodium carbonate-activated slag cements with notably reduced chloride ingress compared to silicate activated slag cements

Bubble stabilisation improves strength of lightweight mortars

Lightweight foamed mortars are produced through the addition of foaming agents into the cement blend, so that voids of different sizes are formed within the matrix, reducing the density of the material and therefore also its weight. However, the increased porosity of these materials usually compromises their mechanical strength, limiting their application as a structural material. Modern infrastructure demands high-strength lightweight concrete formulations that can be adjusted to develop more ambitious projects, both in design and application. In this study, lightweight pastes and mortars were produced using Portland cement blended with fly ash and silica fume, with varying water contents, and foamed using aluminium metal powder. To stabilise the bubbles produced through oxidation of the aluminium metal, polyethylene glycol was added to the mixes, and proved effective in yielding more uniform bubbles than were observed in the samples with no added stabiliser. This led to improvements in both the bulk density and compressive strength of the materials produced according to this new methodology

Understanding the impact of droughts in the Yarmouk Basin, Jordan: monitoring droughts through meteorological and hydrological drought indices

This article assesses drought status in the Yarmouk Basin (YB), in northern Jordan, using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Standardized Water-Level Index (SWI), and the Percent Departure from Normal rainfall (PDNimd) during the years 1993–2014. The results showed that the YB suffers from frequent and irregular periods of drought as variations in drought intensity and frequency have been observed. The SPI results revealed that the highest drought magnitude of − 2.34 appeared at Nuaimeh rainfall station in 1991. This station has also experienced severe drought particularly in years 1995, 1999, 2005, and 2012 with SPI values ranging from − 1.51 to − 1.59. Some other rainfall stations such as Baqura, Ibbin, Khanasiri, Kharja, Mafraq police, Ramtha, Turra, and Umm Qais have also suffered several periods of drought mostly in 1993. The SWI results show the highest extreme drought events in 2001 in Souf well while other extreme drought periods were observed at Wadi Elyabis well in 1994 and at Mafraq well in 1995. As compared to SPI maps, our SWI maps reflect severe and extreme drought events in most years, negatively impacting the groundwater levels in the study area

Phytochemical analysis, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of cuckoo pint (Arum maculatum) leaf extract

Arum maculatum is traditionally used for the control of many diseases and illnesses such as kidney pain, liver injury, hemorrhoids. However, the detailed biomedical knowledge about this species is still lacking. This study reports on the bioactive components and the possible mechanisms underlying the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of A. maculatum leaf extract. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for phytochemical analysis. Assay of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide ) (MTT) was used to determine the cytotoxicity in the murine cell line L20B upon exposure to different extract concentrations for 24 h. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect pro-inflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). GC-MS analysis identified the presence of important phytochemical components, e.g., 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, followed by benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-, methyl ester (17.74%), heptadecanoic acid, 16-methyl-, methyl ester and dibutyl phthalate. The results indicated a significant dose-dependent decrease in L20B cell growth at a dose of 400 μg/ml (IC50) that is associated with a significant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. The results suggested that the aqueous extract of A. maculatum leaves have potent antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against L20B cell line with potential pro-inflammatory activity

Comparison of Real-time PCR to ELISA for the detection of human cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant patients in the Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was carried out to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IgG and IgM antibodies using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in renal transplant patients in Khartoum state, Sudan and to improve the diagnosis of HCMV through the introduction of Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. A total of 98 plasma samples were collected randomly from renal transplant patients at Ibin Sina Hospital and Salma Centre for Transplantation and Haemodialysis during the period from August to September 2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 98 renal transplant patients, 65 were males and 33 females. The results revealed that HCMV IgG was present in all patients' plasma 98/98 (100%), while only 6/98 (6.1%) had IgM antibodies in their plasma. HCMV DNA viral loads were detected in 32 patients 32/98 (32.7%) using Real-time PCR.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The HCMV IgG results indicate a high prevalence of past HCMV infection in all tested groups, while the finding of IgM may reflect a recent infection or reactivation. HCMV detection by real-time PCR in the present study indicated a high prevalence among renal transplant patients in Khartoum. In conclusion, the prevalence of HCMV in Khartoum State was documented through detection of HCMV-specific antibodies. Further study using various diagnostic methods should be considered to determine the prevalence of HCMV disease at the national level.</p

Expression of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A4 in human placenta at term

The placenta contains a large variety of metabolizing enzymes, among them UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT). Several UGT2B isozymes have so far been detected in human placenta, but little is known on placental expression of UGT1A isozymes. The antiepileptic drug lamotrigine (LTG) is a UGT1A4-substrate, and its serum concentration falls by over 50% during pregnancy, leading to impaired seizure control. The placenta may be involved in this. Microsomes from term placentas of 4 LTG-users and 10 healthy control subjects were prepared. Western blot analysis detected UGT1A proteins in all placentas. The presence of UGT1A4 in placenta from LTG users was confirmed with UGT1A4 commercial standard and a specific UGT1A4 primary antibody. Since LTG is primarily metabolized by UGT1A4 and this isozyme is shown to be present in placenta at term, it may be hypothesized that the placenta is involved in the fall of LTG serum concentrations during pregnancy