Immunochemical characterization of Cocos nucifera pollen

The Cocos nucifera pollen, as one of the sources of allergen responsible for immediate hypersensitivity reaction, was confirmed by skin prick test, bronchial provocation test, and RAST. The whole pollen extract (WPE) of C. nucifera was fractionated by combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange columns with fast protein liquid chromatography (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). Three protein peaks designated Cocos II, Cocos VI, and Cocos VII exhibited allergenic properties, as tested by skin prick test, direct IgE ELISA, bronchial provocation test, and immunoblot analysis. In RAST inhibition, Cocos IIa (a high-molecular-weight protein) obtained by fractionation of Cocos II on Mono Q column (fast protein liquid chromatography) (Pharmacia) was found to be the most potent allergen in Cocos WPE, followed by Cocos VI and Cocos VII, which are low-molecular-weight proteins. The reference patterns of Cocos WPE on crossed immunoelectrophoresis and thin-layer isoelectric focusing were established for future standardization of Cocos WPE to be used in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergic patients

TGFβ1 haplotypes and asthma in Indian populations

Background: Asthma is a complex disorder of the airways of the lungs. TGF-β1 plays a key role in airway remodeling and asthma by having both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activities, making TGFβ1 an important candidate gene to study. Objective: To investigate the association of TGFβ1 gene polymorphisms with asthma. Methods: A case-control study was designed for identifying polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with asthma and associated phenotypes. We have verified our results in 2 independent cohorts collected from northern (number of patients, 187; number of controls, 187) and western India (number of patients, 209; number of controls, 190). We measured the serum TGF-β1 levels of selected individuals and correlated them with genotypes and haplotypes. Results: A novel (CT)n(CA)m repeat polymorphism (BV209662) 24.9 kb upstream of TGFβ1 was identified. A significant association was seen at the level of alleles and genotypes with asthma in the 2 cohorts studied independently (P < .05). Interestingly, a novel 3-locus haplotype, 23_G_T, was found to be significantly associated with asthma (P = .00001 in cohorts A and B) as well as with higher serum TGF-β1 level (P = .01). On the other hand, a novel haplotype, 22_G_C, was negatively associated with asthma (P = .00001 for cohorts A and B) and with lower serum TGF-β1 level (P = .0019). Conclusion: This is the first study identifying novel risk and protective haplotypes-23_G_T and 22_G_C, respectively-in the TGFβ1 gene that are associated with asthma. We also demonstrate the functional significance of these haplotypes with serum TGF-β1 levels. These results would be valuable in elucidating the role of TGF-β1 in asthma pathogenesis

Uteroglobin-related protein 1(UGRP1) gene polymorphisms and atopic asthma in the Indian population

Background: The secretory protein, uteroglobin-related protein 1 (UGRP1), is mainly expressed in the lung and trachea and has recently been implicated in asthma. The -112 G to A transition in the promoter was reported to be associated with asthma in the Japanese population. However, this has not been replicated in other studies. The aim of this study was to find the association of UGRP1 gene polymorphisms with atopic asthma in the Indian population using a case-control (N<SUB>P</SUB> = 165, N<SUB>C</SUB> = 160) and a family-based (60 trios) design. Methods: Polymorphisms in the promoter region and the first exon and first intron of the UGRP1 gene were determined by direct sequencing. Results: The previously identified G<SUP>-112</SUP>A and C<SUP>222</SUP>A polymorphisms were found to be in complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) (D' = 1) in our population. However, no new polymorphism has been identified in this region. When G<SUP>-112</SUP>A polymorphism was analyzed in the cases and controls, no significant difference was observed either at the allele (p = 0.68) or at the genotype (p = 0.83) levels. Moreover, in our family-based study, we observed no significant deviation of allelic transmission from random proportions (p = 0.41). Similarly, when we analyzed our genotypic results for serum total IgE levels, no significant association was observed, in both case-control as well as family-based designs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the G<SUP>-112</SUP>A and C<SUP>222</SUP>A polymorphisms do not play a significant role in the genetic predisposition of UGRP1 gene in atopic asthma in the Indian population

New vegetation type map of India prepared using satellite remote sensing: comparison with global vegetation maps and utilities

A seamless vegetation type map of India (scale 1: 50,000) prepared using medium-resolution IRS LISS-III images is presented. The map was created using an on-screen visual interpretation technique and has an accuracy of 90%, as assessed using 15,565 ground control points. India has hitherto been using potential vegetation/forest type map prepared by Champion and Seth in 1968. We characterized and mapped further the vegetation type distribution in the country in terms of occurrence and distribution, area occupancy, percentage of protected area (PA) covered by each vegetation type, range of elevation, mean annual temperature and precipitation over the past 100 years. A remote sensing-amenable hierarchical classification scheme that accommodates natural and semi-natural systems was conceptualized, and the natural vegetation was classified into forests, scrub/shrub lands and grasslands on the basis of extent of vegetation cover. We discuss the distribution and potential utility of the vegetation type map in a broad range of ecological, climatic and conservation applications from global, national and local perspectives. Weused 15,565 ground control points to assess the accuracy of products available globally (i.e., GlobCover, Holdridge’s life zone map and potential natural vegetation (PNV) maps). Hence we recommend that the map prepared herein be used widely. This vegetation type map is the most comprehensive one developed for India so far. It was prepared using 23.5m seasonal satellite remote sensing data, field samples and information relating to the biogeography, climate and soil. The digital map is now available through a web portal (http://bis.iirs.gov.in)