Elevated levels of serum sialic acid and C-reactive protein: markers of systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations involving lungs causing airways dysfunction. C-reactive protein (C-RP) is a positive acute phase reactant and albumin a negative phase reactant during inflammation in COPD patients. Sialic acid (SA) prevalent in mucus rich tissues is gaining importance as biochemical marker in inflammatory immune response. Purpose of present study was to measure serum C-reactive protein (C-RP), total sialic acid and albumin levels in COPD patients and establish there association in COPD and compare with healthy controls.Methods: Seventy five clinically confirmed COPD patients, both male and female between the age group of 38-70 years were selected for the study and age/ sex matched healthy volunteers as controls were selected for comparison. Serum samples were analyzed for C-RP (mg/dl) by nephalometry and TSA (mmol/L) by periodate resorcinol method and albumin by dye binding method by spectrophotometer.Results: The mean value of serum C-RP in cases was 3.26±2.0 (mg/dl) and in controls 0.57±0.34 (mg/dl) with p<0.001. TSA in cases was 3.53±1.41 (mmol/L) compared to controls 1.81±0.53 (mmol/L), p<0.001. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between C-RP and TSA (r=0.755, p<0.001). The mean value of Albumin in cases decreased (2.54±0.87) as compared to control (4.07±0.66) (p<0.001) showed negative correlation with C-RP (r= -0.418, p<0.01) and TSA (r= -0.728, p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in BMI among cases 19.95±3.17 compared to control 21.17±1.78 p<0.001.Conclusions: C- reactive protein in association with TSA has increased in COPD as a marker of systemic inflammation. Albumin and BMI decreased as a result of nutritional depletion. Patients with low BMI and low serum albumin level have greater risk of having exacerbation, acute respiratory failure than patients with normal BMI.

Ipteks Ketepatan Waktu Informasi Pelaporan Keuangan pada PT. Bank Bri Unit Karombasan Cabang Manado

In the company's timeliness is the main thing especially the timeliness when entering the office in the morning. timeliness in work is very influential on the quality of employees, on time a company can assess the quality of existing employees. from a research employee who arrived late will be deducted from the salary. so that in the future there will be less laziness in each employee, the company must provide more sanctions. in a way that employees will feel motivated to come to the office early. And for the future the quality of employees will rise

GREEN PRODUCTIVITY: AN APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRO-FORESTRY IN SRI LANKA.

The agricultural and forest resources in Sri Lanka are diminishing while thepopulation is still growing. Hence, designing of resource-efficient agroforestrysystems has considerable potential not only to improve forest andagricultural production but also to enhance and maintain overall productivityof sustainable small farm units. The different types of agro forestry systemsin the country are highly diverse and complex in characters and functions.However, the productivity of agro-forestry system and the role inenvironmental conservation are lower than their potential due to lack ofproper management practices. Green Productivity (GP) approach emphasizesthe sustainable development of agro-forestry systems enhancing productivityand using resources efficiently while protecting the environment.The paper attempts to discuss the concept, methodology, principle stage,implementation strategies and impact assessment of GP approach with theview of sustainable development of agro-forestry systems in Sri Lanka. TheGP concept emphasizes environmentally sound technology transfer to keepagro forestry systems competitive; environmental regulations to extendfarmers responsibility; and cleaner production enhancing productivity andenvironmental performance of the agro-forestry systems. The methodologyof GP would consist of problem-solving steps, selecting tools, techniques andtechnologies useful for solving problems in agro forestry and application ofsocio-economic and environmental principles and values for agro-forestryimprovements. The six principle stages of GP are described in terms ofgetting started to gain base-line information and identify problems in agroforestrysystems: generation and evaluation of GP options to meet theobjectives and targets of the agro-forestry system: implementation of GPoptions involving performance and the targets being achieved: and sustainingGP through corrective options to achieve objectives and targets of thesustainable agro forestry systems

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli as a Major Etiologic Agent in Traveler's Diarrhea in 3 Regions of the World

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) has been reported to cause traveler's diarrhea and persistent diarrhea in children in developing countries and in immunocompromised patients. To clarify the prevalence of EAEC in traveler's diarrhea, we studied 636 US, Canadian, or European travelers with diarrhea: 218 in Guadalajara, Mexico (June-August 1997 and 1998), 125 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica (September 1997-May 1998), and 293 in Goa, India (January 1997-April 1997 and October 1997-February 1998). Stool samples were tested for conventional enteropathogens. EAEC strains were identified by use of the HEp-2 assay. EAEC was isolated in 26% of cases of traveler's diarrhea (ranging from 19% in Goa to 33% in Guadalajara) and was second only to enterotoxigenic E. coli as the most common enteropathogen in all areas. Identification of EAEC reduced the number of cases for which the pathogen was unknown from 327 (51%) to 237 (37%) and explained 28% of cases with unknown etiology. EAEC was a major cause of traveler's diarrhea in 3 geographically distinct study area

Behavioural resistance against a protozoan parasite in the monarch butterfly

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89483/1/j.1365-2656.2011.01901.x.pd

Impact of Th1 CD4 Follicular Helper T Cell Skewing on Antibody Responses to an HIV-1 Vaccine in Rhesus Macaques.

Generating durable humoral immunity through vaccination depends upon effective interactions of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells with germinal center (GC) B cells. Th1 polarization of Tfh cells is an important process shaping the success of Tfh-GC B cell interactions by influencing costimulatory and cytokine-dependent Tfh help to B cells. However, the question remains as to whether adjuvant-dependent modulation of Tfh cells enhances HIV-1 vaccine-induced antienvelope (anti-Env) antibody responses. We investigated whether an HIV-1 vaccine platform designed to increase the number of Th1-polarized Tfh cells enhances the magnitude and quality of anti-Env antibodies. Utilizing a novel interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10)-adjuvanted HIV-1 DNA prime followed by a monophosphoryl lipid A and QS-21 (MPLA+QS-21)-adjuvanted Env protein boost (DIP-10 PALFQ) in macaques, we observed higher anti-Env serum IgG titers with greater cross-clade reactivity, specificity for V1V2, and effector functions than in macaques primed with DNA lacking IP-10 and boosted with MPLA-plus-alum-adjuvanted Env protein (DPALFA) The DIP-10 PALFQ vaccine regimen elicited higher anti-Env IgG1 and lower IgG4 antibody levels in serum, showing for the first time that adjuvants can dramatically impact the IgG subclass profile in macaques. The DIP-10 PALFQ regimen also increased vaginal and rectal IgA antibodies to a greater extent. Within lymph nodes, we observed augmented GC B cell responses and the promotion of Th1 gene expression profiles in GC Tfh cells. The frequency of GC Tfh cells correlated with both the magnitude and avidity of anti-Env serum IgG. Together, these data suggest that adjuvant-induced stimulation of Th1-Tfh cells is an effective strategy for enhancing the magnitude and quality of anti-Env antibody responses.IMPORTANCE The results of the RV144 trial demonstrated that vaccination could prevent HIV transmission in humans and that longevity of anti-Env antibodies may be key to this protection. Efforts to improve upon the prime-boost vaccine regimen used in RV144 have indicated that booster immunizations can increase serum anti-Env antibody titers but only transiently. Poor antibody durability hampers efforts to develop an effective HIV-1 vaccine. This study was designed to identify the specific elements involved in the immunological mechanism necessary to produce robust HIV-1-specific antibodies in rhesus macaques. By clearly defining immune-mediated pathways that improve the magnitude and functionality of the anti-HIV-1 antibody response, we will have the foundation necessary for the rational development of an HIV-1 vaccine

New sources of resistance to Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease in a mini-core collection of pigeonpea germplasm

Fusarium wilt (FW) and Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) are important biotic constraints to pigeonpea production worldwide. Host plant resistance is the most durable and economical way to manage these diseases. A pigeonpea mini-core collection consisting of 146 germplasm accessions developed from a core collection of 1290 accessions from 53 countries was evaluated to identify sources of resistance to FW and SMD under artificial field epiphytotic conditions during 2007–08 and 2008–09 crop seasons. Resistant sources identified in the field were confirmed in the greenhouse using a root dip screening technique for FW and a leaf stapling technique for SMD. Six accessions (originated from India and Italy were found resistant to FW (<10% mean disease incidence). High level of resistance to SMD was found in 24 accessions (mean incidence <10%). These SMD resistant accessions originated from India, Italy, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines and United Kingdom. Combined resistance to FW and SMD was found in five accessions (ICPs 6739, 8860, 11015, 13304 and 14819). These diverse accessions that are resistant to FW or SMD will be useful to the pigeonpea resistance breeding program

Resistance to late leaf spot and rust diseases in ICRISAT’s mini core collection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Late leaf spot (LLS) (Phaeoisariopsis personata) and rust (Puccinia arachidis) are major foliar diseases of peanut causing significant losses worldwide. Identification and infusion of resistance into peanut cultivars is important in the management of these diseases. The present study therefore aimed at screening the peanut mini core collection to identify potential sources of resistance to these diseases. Two separate field experiments were conducted for screening LLS and rust under artificial epiphytotic conditions during rainy seasons of 2012 and 2013 at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. The trials were laid in a randomized complete block design on beds with three replications. Data on LLS and rust disease severities were collected using 1 to 9 scales at 75, 90 and 105 days after sowing (DAS), and pod yields were recorded at harvest. Results indicate significant variations among accessions for LLS and rust resistance. Mean of 2 years study revealed that 53 accessions were moderately resistant (MR), 86 accessions were susceptible (S) and 45 accessions were highly susceptible (HS) to LLS. For rust disease, 10 accessions were resistant (R), 115 accessions were with ‘MR’ reaction and 59 accessions with susceptible (S) reaction. Six superior accessions in terms of combined disease resistance and yield (ICGs 4389, 6993, 11426, 4746, 6022, 11088) were selected and the disease progress curves, for each, were generated. Highest yields were recorded with ICG 11426 in LLS and rust plots. Overall, our results indicate that these six accessions can be potential sources of LLS and rust resistance

Resistance to pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in ICRISAT’s groundnut mini core collection

Aflatoxin contamination in groundnut by Aspergillus flavus has assumed global significance and is considered a potential threat to human and animal health. The present study focused on the screening and identification of stable and reliable resistance sources to pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in ICRISAT’s groundnut mini core germplasm accessions. Field studies were conducted during 2008 and 2009 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Superior accessions (n = 34) were selected and screened during 2010 and 2011 in a Lattice design with three replications. Seven best accessions with <1 μg kg−1 aflatoxin B1 levels were further selected and screened during 2012 and 2013. Based on the evaluation in 2008 and 2009, four accessions had aflatoxin contamination within 4 μg kg−1, 50 accessions within 10 μg kg−1, 66 accessions within 15 μg kg−1, and 75 accessions within 20 μg kg−1. Of the 34 selected accessions evaluated in 2010 and 2011, eight accessions had <1 μg kg−1. The analysis of 34 accessions over a period of four years from 2008 to 2011 indicated that the mean toxin levels ranged from 0.9 to 10.3 μg kg−1. In total, 31 accessions had less aflatoxin accumulation than the resistant check, 55–437. The seven best accessions, ICGs 13,603, 1415, 14,630, 3584, 5195, 6703 and 6888, over six years (2008–2013) consistently accumulated very low levels of aflatoxin (<4 μg kg−1). These seven accessions could be potential sources for understanding the resistant mechanisms and can be further used in developing resistant cultivars or introgressing resistance in popular released varieties