Differential response of human basophil activation markers: a multi-parameter flow cytometry approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Basophils are circulating cells involved in hypersensitivity reactions and allergy but many aspects of their activation, including the sensitivity to external triggering factors and the molecular aspects of cell responses, are still to be focused. In this context, polychromatic flow cytometry (PFC) is a proper tool to investigate basophil function, as it allows to distinguish the expression of several membrane markers upon activation in multiple experimental conditions. </p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cell suspensions were prepared from leukocyte buffy coat of K2-EDTA anticoagulated blood specimens; about 1500-2500 cellular events for each tested sample, gated in the lymphocyte CD45dim area and then electronically purified as HLADRnon expressing/CD123bright, were identified as basophilic cells. Basophil activation with fMLP, anti-IgE and calcium ionophore A23187 was evaluated by studying up-regulation of the indicated membrane markers with a two-laser six-color PFC protocol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Following stimulation, CD63, CD13, CD45 and the ectoenzyme CD203c up-regulated their membrane expression, while CD69 did not; CD63 expression occurred immediately (within 60 sec) but only in a minority of basophils, even at optimal agonist doses (in 33% and 14% of basophils, following fMLP and anti-IgE stimulation respectively). CD203c up-regulation occurred in the whole basophil population, even in CD63non expressing cells. Dose-dependence curves revealed CD203c as a more sensitive marker than CD63, in response to fMLP but not in response to anti-IgE and to calcium ionophore.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Use of polychromatic flow cytometry allowed efficient basophil electronic purification and identification of different behaviors of the major activation markers. The simultaneous use of two markers of activation and careful choice of activator are essential steps for reliable assessment of human basophil functions.</p

A Case of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis: A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma

Amiodarone is an iodine rich agent widely used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and flutter. However 14-18% of patients treated with amiodarone develop overt thyroid dysfunction in the form of either amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) or amiodaroneinduced hypothyroidism (AIH). Two different types of AIT have been recognised and designated as Type 1 and Type 2. Distinguishing between the two is often difficult, but necessary for instituting appropriate treatment. We report a case of a 56 year-old male patient who was started on amiodarone for atrial fibrillation and then developed AIT. The challenges in the diagnosis and management of these patients are discussed

A Case of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis : A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma

Amiodarone is an iodine rich agent widely used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and flutter. However 14-18% of patients treated with amiodarone develop overt thyroid dysfunction in the form of either amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) or amiodaroneinduced hypothyroidism (AIH). Two different types of AIT have been recognised and designated as Type 1 and Type 2. Distinguishing between the two is often difficult, but necessary for instituting appropriate treatment. We report a case of a 56 year-old male patient who was started on amiodarone for atrial fibrillation and then developed AIT. The challenges in the diagnosis and management of these patients are discussed

Not Available

Not AvailableIndian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus, has been identified as a national priority species for domestication and genetic improvement. Although breeding and farming of this species has been studied before the inception of commercial shrimp farming in India, reproductive and hatchery performance of this species on a mass scale has not been addressed so far. To evaluate the reproductive performance of wild P. indicus brooders, a total of 2164 brooders from the broodstock fishery along the Indian east coast were used. The experiment was carried out in two phases; in trial 1, brooders from Odisha, Kanyakumari, as well as Chennai, were used, whereas, in trial 2 brooders from Chennai coast alone was used. Only 16-32% of eyestalk ablated animals spawned successfully, whereas remaining stock was found to be nonresponsive to eyestalk ablation. Ablated females had a latency period of 7-10 days with 2-3 times spawning per brooder. The average fecundity of wild spawner was 220000±56000. Eggs per gram body weight for wild and ablated spawners were 8126±3502 and 1481±863, respectively. The egg hatchability was 80% for wild spawners whereas ablated spawners recorded 50-70% hatchability. During larval rearing cycle a lack of synchronized moulting was noticed during protozoea to mysis conversion (91.5% protozoea and 8.5% mysis 1), and mysis 3 to postlarvae (PL) conversion (30-50% of mysis 3 in PL1/PL2 stage). The study provides a deeper understanding of the reproductive performance of wild broodstock of native P. indicus, which can be used as a reference database for future breeding programs.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableBrackishwater aquaculture is a “sun rise sector” in India, which plays a crucial role in socioeconomic expansion and is considered as influential income and employment generator. In the last three decades (1980–2010), world aquaculture production has expanded by almost 12 times, atanaverageannualrate of 8.8 percent (FAO, 2010). Brackishwater aquaculture in India especially has evolved as a commercial enterprise with an impressive annual growth rate of 6-7 percent. However, along with intensification of commercial shrimp culture, industry started to face issues like spiralling price of commercial feed, diseases outbreaks, sustainability concern etc. Hence, the concepts of delivering high production with sustainable approach through evolvingeco-friendly technologies started getting momentum worldwide. Modern, industrial aquaculture could strengthen its social and ecological roots by articulating its evolution along a sustainability trajectory and by adopting fully the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ecosystems approach to aquaculture (EAA; Soto et al., 2007). While acknowledging the economicgains and employment opportunities provided by shrimp sector, it is essential to recognize that the growth of brackishwater aquaculture in India is skewed towards monoculture of shrimp. During 2014 -15 shrimp aquaculture has shown a tremendous growth (30.64%) and achieved highest production (4,34,558MT).Not Availabl

<it>Brahmarasayana</it> protects against Ethyl methanesulfonate or Methyl methanesulfonate induced chromosomal aberrations in mouse bone marrow cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine has given great emphasis to the promotion of health. Rasayana is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda which refers to rejuvenant therapy. It has been reported that rasayanas have immuno-modulatory, antioxidant and antitumor functions, however, the genotoxic potential and modulation of DNA repair of many rasayanas have not been evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The present study assessed the role of Brahmarasayana (BR) on Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-and Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS)-induced genotoxicity and DNA repair in <it>in vivo</it> mouse test system. The mice were orally fed with BR (5 g or 8 mg / day) for two months and 24 h later EMS or MMS was given intraperitoneally. The genotoxicity was analyzed by chromosomal aberrations, sperm count, and sperm abnormalities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results have revealed that BR did not induce significant chromosomal aberrations when compared to that of the control animals (p >0.05). On the other hand, the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced by EMS (240 mg / kg body weight) or MMS (125 mg / kg body weight) were significantly higher (p<0.05) to that of the control group. The treatment of BR for 60 days and single dose of EMS or MMS on day 61, resulted in significant (p <0.05) reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in comparison to EMS or MMS treatment alone, indicating a protective effect of BR. Constitutive base excision repair capacity was also increased in BR treated animals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The effect of BR, as it relates to antioxidant activity was not evident in liver tissue however rasayana treatment was observed to increase constitutive DNA base excision repair and reduce clastogenicity. Whilst, the molecular mechanisms of such repair need further exploration, this is the first report to demonstrate these effects and provides further evidence for the role of brahmarasayana in the possible improvement of quality of life.</p