Interference of phenol during quantification of a bacterial lipoprotein

Accurate protein estimation is an essential requirement for any biochemical investigation. The bacterial Braun liporotein (BLP) from E. coli (a Toll-2 receptor ligand) is purified via phenol extraction on the basis of selective extraction of the lipoprotein. The procedure leaves behind the major endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that acts through the related Toll-4 receptor. However, as low as 0.00001% of phenol carried over during lipoprotein isolation interferes in the Lowry’s method of protein estimation. A simple gel filtration on sephadex G-50 efficiently separates lipoproteins from phenol thereby avoiding inaccurate protein estimation of the lipoprotein content and making it suitable ligand for Toll-2 receptor.Keywords: Lipoproteins; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Lowry's method; Phenol interferenc

Cloning and characterization of the pseudonajatoxin b precursor.

An Australian common brown snake, Pseudonaja textilis, is known to contain highly lethal neurotoxins. Among them, a long-chain alpha-neurotoxin, pseudonajatoxin b, has been identified. In this report, while presenting evidence for the presence of at least four such long-chain alpha-neurotoxins in the venom of P. textilis, we describe the characteristics of both the mRNA and the gene responsible for the synthesis of these neurotoxins. A precursor toxin synthesized from the gene has been identified as being capable of producing the isoforms possibly by post-translational modifications at its C-terminal end. Recombinant toxins corresponding to the precursor and its product have been found to possess similar binding affinities for muscular acetylcholine receptors (IC(50)=3x10(-8) M) and a lethality, LD(50), of 0.15 microg/g in mice

Recombinant antitoxic and antiinflammatory factor from the nonvenomous snake Python reticulatus: Phospholipase A2 inhibition and venom neutralizing potential

Biochemistry39319604-9611BICH

Recombinant antitoxic and antiinflammatory factor from the nonvenomous snake Python reticulatus: Phospholipase A2inhibition and venom neutralizing potential

10.1021/bi000395zBiochemistry39319604-9611BICH

What Is Uncommon Can Be Critical: A Case of Quinolone-Induced Acute Liver Failure.

Many drugs are known to potentially cause liver injury; however, only a few reports investigate the association between levofloxacin and acute liver failure (ALF).  The case describes a 65-year-old man who was admitted with primary diagnoses of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who developed an upper respiratory tract infection for which he was started on levofloxacin. Following its administration, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased more than 100-fold above the upper limit of normal. Over the next 24 hours, AST peaked at 9334 U/L, ALT at 4525 U/L, prothrombin time to 24.6 seconds, international normalized ratio (INR) to 2.22, and serum ammonia to 157 µmol/L. The patient developed signs and symptoms of decompensated liver disease, namely hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Levofloxacin was discontinued immediately, and evidence-based treatment per society guidelines from The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases consisting of IV n-acetylcysteine as well as lactulose and rifaximin was initiated. Such medical management resulted in clinical resolution of his ALF, but he had a poor overall prognosis and eventually succumbed to critical illness

Heroin Relapse "Strikes a Nerve": A Rare Case of Drug-Induced Acute Myelopathy.

Opioid addiction is a major public health problem. Through a commitment to individualized treatment plans meant to help patients meet personal goals, behavioral therapy can encourage abstinence and help prevent relapses that can have debilitating consequences. This case describes a 31-year-old male with heroin relapse who presented with flaccid quadriparesis as well as loss of sensation below the T2-3 spinal level, loss of rectal tone, and urinary retention. A urine drug screen (UDS) was positive for opiates and amphetamines. Autoimmune serologies were negative. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was negative for any acute ongoing infectious process. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) of the cervical and thoracic spine showed increased intramedullary signals with spinal cord expansion from C2-T2, indicating acute transverse myelitis. Upon completion of the aforementioned work-up, idiopathic transverse myelopathy (TM) was diagnosed, and the patient was started on intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone; he also received five sessions of plasmapheresis. By process of elimination, suspicion remained of a diagnosis of opioid-induced myelopathy. The patient showed mild improvement in his original sensory deficits and flaccid quadriplegia

MicroRNAs Involved in Regulating Spontaneous Recovery in Embolic Stroke Model

10.1371/journal.pone.0066393PLoS ONE86e6639

MiR-335 Regulates Hif-1α to Reduce Cell Death in Both Mouse Cell Line and Rat Ischemic Models

10.1371/journal.pone.0128432PLoS ONE106e012843

microRNAs in Circulation Are Altered in Response to Influenza A Virus Infection in Humans

10.1371/journal.pone.0076811PLoS ONE810e7681

Amantadine-Induced Cardiac Arrest in a Patient With COVID-19

Amantadine, which is known for its antiviral activity, is presently used as therapy for Parkinson's disease. Adverse effects, such as cardiac arrhythmias, have been described in patients after ingestion of amantadine. Here, we present a patient who suffered a cardiac arrest following ingestion of a low dose of amantadine. A 71-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department for a witnessed cardiac arrest. He had developed an upper respiratory tract infection the preceding week and was prescribed 100 mg of amantadine. Within half an hour of taking the first dose, the patient collapsed. He was found to be in asystole by emergency medical services, and advanced cardiac life support protocols were initiated, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubation for airway protection. However, he sustained multiple recurrences of cardiac arrest, and despite all resuscitation efforts, the patient expired