DNA adducts in human urinary bladder and other tissues.

Tobacco smoking is associated with an increased risk of cancer in a number of organs, including bladder and lung. Tobacco smoke contains at least 50 known chemical carcinogens that exert their biological effects through their covalent binding to cellular DNA. Examining human DNA for the presence of altered nucleotides is a means of monitoring exposure to genotoxic chemicals. DNA isolated from 73 human bladder biopsies has been analyzed by 32P-postlabeling for the presence of aromatic/hydrophobic adducts. Butanol extraction of DNA digests resulted in up to a 3-fold greater recovery of adducts than nuclease P1 digestion. Among 16 nonsmokers, adduct levels were in the range 3.2-20.8/10(8) nucleotides (mean 9.7). Eight ex-smokers had values in the range 2.6-12.3 (mean 7.1). Thirteen smokers had adduct levels between 1.3 and 26.7 adducts/10(8) nucleotides (mean 9.5, not different from nonsmokers). Six cigar smokers had higher levels of adducts (mean 12.1, range 7.3-15.0), but pipe smokers did not (five samples, mean 8.6, range 2.9-12.7). A further 8 samples from nonsmokers and 17 from smokers were examined in more detail. Although most of the DNA binding appears not to be smoking related, the levels of one adduct were found to be on average 2-fold higher in smokers (p < 0.005, one-tailed t test). Studies on tissues of the respiratory tract demonstrate a correlation between DNA adduct levels and exposure to tobacco smoke. Evidence to date on the influence of smoking on adducts in peripheral blood cells is equivocal; some studies demonstrate a significant effect, whereas others do not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS

Role of plants in traditional livestock production

Plants have been used from ancient time to sustain local livestock production in various aspects.Historically, traditional veterinary practices were mainly based on the "He/a Vedakama" in whichplants played a vital role. Phyto-based traditional veterinary practices dated back to beyond the periodof King Ravana. This "phyto-based" system sustained the local livestock production over a period ofmany ceturies to date and same remedies are presently used extensively and effectively in ruralIivestock production systems. According to the chronicles and traditional knowledge based information,the cattle can suffer from 16400 and the buffalo from 4448 different ailments. In traditional veterinarypractices the most important group diseases are known as "Veppu" and "Adappan", In this categorythere are more than 4000 different diseases. Majority of these diseases are cured with phyto-basedmedicinal system. When obtaining plant parts for treatment selection criteria for the plant is veryimportant. Usually "panch a pangu" is used in preparations. Collection of plant aprts are done byauspicious time and by specific persons. According to a extensive study conducted during the lastthree years, it was revealed, 74% of the surveyed livestock farmers practice "phyto-based" treatmentsin livestock medicine. Many plant species are used for different cattle ailments. 38 plant species areused to treat wounds, ulcers, cuts and boils. Some of these medicinal recipes are even recommended in local traditional veterinary chronicles which are centuries old. 28 plants species are used to treatailments of the eye including pathogenic infections to physical damages. 22 plant species have beenidentified to which has been used to treat respiratory disorders and 18 plant species for the preparationof recipes to treat bone fractures and breakages in cattle and buffalo. 18 plant species were recognizedthat are used for snake bites and 17 for intestinal worm treatments. In treating throat and mouthdiseases, 27 plant species are used and for sprains and swellings 17 species are used. Foot and hoofdiseases are one of the major ailments in cattle and buffalo and 16 plant species are used in treatingsuch ailments. For the medical preparations for the ear infections, 15 plant species are used and fortreatments for the urinary system, 12 plant species are used. Mastitis is a serious udder problem inlactating cows and 16 plant species are in the medicinal preparations. Reproduction associated problemsincluding dystokia, and abortions. proven treatments are made by using 14 plant species. 15 plantspecies are used to treat external parasitic diseases. This paper will discuss details of the plant species,their parts used, aspects to consider in obtaining of plant parts and preparation of different recipes

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES

Time to time, many plant species has been introduced to Sri Lanka eitherintentionally or accidentally. Their existence, dispersion and naturalizationpersisted unnoticed. However, with the present interest on biodiversity it wasrealized that some of these species are posing a threat to the existence of manyother native species. In recent studies, about 20 of such species have beenidentified as invasive in nature and many concerns has been directed on them.Presently, some of these species are economically important and widely used.For example, Tithonia diversifolia (wild sunflower) Panicum maximum (guineagrass), Pennisetum clandestinum (kikin grass) Prosopis juliflora, Lantanacamara, Eichchornia crassipes (water hyacinth) and Myroxylon balsamum(Kattakumanchal) provide multiple uses such as cattle feed, fodder, green manure,biopesticides and phyto extractantsSimilarly Mimosa pigra and Parthenium may have economical values not yetinvestigated and exploited. Therefore, the most appropriate and intelligent way ofhandling these so called invasive species is to identify and exploit their fulleconomic potential and to investigate as to why they have reached the invasivestatus. However, further investigations would be necessary in any attempt tocommerciable such products.

Optimizing CIGB-300 intralesional delivery in locally advanced cervical cancer

Background:We conducted a phase 1 trial in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer by injecting 0.5 ml of the CK2-antagonist CIGB-300 in two different sites on tumours to assess tumour uptake, safety, pharmacodynamic activity and identify the recommended dose.Methods:Fourteen patients were treated with intralesional injections containing 35 or 70 mg of CIGB-300 in three alternate cycles of three consecutive days each before standard chemoradiotherapy. Tumour uptake was determined using 99 Tc-radiolabelled peptide. In situ B23/nucleophosmin was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Maximum tumour uptake for CIGB-300 70-mg dose was significantly higher than the one observed for 35 mg: 16.1±8.9 vs 31.3±12.9 mg (P=0.01). Both, AUC 24h and biological half-life were also significantly higher using 70 mg of CIGB-300 (P<0.001). Unincorporated CIGB-300 diffused rapidly to blood and was mainly distributed towards kidneys, and marginally in liver, lungs, heart and spleen. There was no DLT and moderate allergic-like reactions were the most common systemic side effect with strong correlation between unincorporated CIGB-300 and histamine levels in blood. CIGB-300, 70 mg, downregulated B23/nucleophosmin (P=0.03) in tumour specimens.Conclusion:Intralesional injections of 70 mg CIGB-300 in two sites (0.5 ml per injection) and this treatment plan are recommended to be evaluated in phase 2 studies.Fil: Sarduy, M. R.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: García, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Coca, M. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Perera, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Torres, L. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Valenzuela, C. M.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Baladrón, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Solares, M.. Hospital Materno Ramón González Coro; CubaFil: Reyes, V.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; CubaFil: Hernández, I.. Isotope Center; CubaFil: Perera, Y.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Martínez, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Molina, L.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: González, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Ancízar, J. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Prats, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: González, L.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Casacó, C. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Acevedo, B. E.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: López Saura, P. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Alonso, Daniel Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, R.. Elea Laboratories; ArgentinaFil: Perea Rodríguez, S. E.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; Cuba. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; Cub

KANDYAN FOREST GARDEN: AN AGRO-FORESTRY SYSTEM WITH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Kandyan Forest Garden (KFG), is a traditional cropping system practiced for centuries.This is considered as the oldest 'agro-foresty'system in Asia. KFG's located in Kandycentered districts with an altitude of 450 - 1050 m, and receiving an annual rainfall of&gt;2400 mm. The topography of the land is sloping with a gradient of 50 - 250. The landholdings vary from 0.4 - 1.75 ha. (mean =0.7 ha), with sufficient idle family labour foralternate income generation opportunities. This perennial, tree-based home garden systemhas high floristic diversity. The perennials are composed of spice, timber, fruit, food,medicinal and shade trees. The density of perennial trees ranged from 60 -340 per ha.(mean = 196), and contains at least 12 different species. The inhabitants are traditionaland conventional farmers with wide experience in farming. Many of them have beenkeeping livestock as a secondary source of income through generations. The climate isconducive for exotic breeds and have high market potential for livestock products. Theperennial trees provide excellent tree fodder. Other than the major perennials, the livefences,supports and shade trees also provide green fodder year round. The annual drybiomass production from perennials range from 2500 -18000 kg, with a crude protein of&gt; 16% and digestibility of &gt;50%. The perennial tree fodder acceptance is high by goatsthan cattle and buffalo. The fodder potential can be further improved by introduction ofsimple agricultural techniques such as 'Sloping Agricultural Land Technology' (SALT).This also improves the soil conservation. This system is stable and highly sustainable.The potentials for income generation using the resources within the system is enormous.The most important factor is that to maintain the stability and the sustainability of thesystem

PLANTS AND ETHNOVETERINARY PRACTICES IN SRI LANKA

Ethnoveterinary practices in Sri Lanka were in use from time immemorial. This system oftreatments rely on the herbal species available and their medicinal value. These traditionalpractices descended from generation to generation had become a culture in the socioeconomiclife of the people and the ones who practice these traditional systems of treatmentpossessed a high status in the society. The evidence of practising this system of treatmentsis not confined only to Sri Lanka. but to the whole of Asia and Africa. In Asia it isbelieved that this is one of the major branches of Ayurveda. In India. enthnoveterinarypractices using various plants were recorded during 1200 B.C. Even during King Asoka'speriod these herbal based treatments were used to treat animal. The Sri Lankancthnovctcrinary practices has its roots from India. According to the history. king Rawanahas a team of physicians to treat animals headed by Sushena. With Mahinda. a group ofAyurvedic scholars had also arrived and settled at Anuradhapura. In thc 3 century. kingDutugemunu has his physicians treated his Royal elephant. King Buddadasa (337 to 365A.D.) himself was a physician and treated animals. In addition to Ayurvcda. time to timeSiddha system and Unani systems were introduced to Sri Lanka by the Hindu Tamils andMuslims. respectively.Sri Lanka being an island and its strategic location. it is rich in florist biodiversity toaccommodate many species of plants both endemic and indigenous. These plants havebeen widely used in the Ethnoveterinary practices. Almost all the plant parts arc used intreatment and commonly called "pas panguva" including flower, fruit. leal'. whole plant.rhizome, root. bark. seed. stem and juice. The active ingredients are alkaloids.polyphenolic compounds, saponin. glucoside. essential oils. sterol. inorganic and organicsalts etc. These medicinal plants are used in the Ethnoveterinary practices as decoctions.infusions. powder. juice, poultice or paste. bolus etc. These preparations are used indrenching. force feeding. topical application. nasal application, vaginal application, analapplication. fumigation and hanging bouquet. Presently. many plant species of medicinalvalue and their populations are rapidly diminishing due to so called development and lackof awareness. On the other hand these traditional systems arc either not passed down tonext generation or the present generation is not interested. Therefore. they are suhjected toa natural death with time. Another aspect for the rapid disappearance of this traditionaltreatment system is the invasion hy the allopathic therapy.Effective action is needed to both conserve these traditional Ethnoveterinay systems andpropagate and conserve these medicinally important plants for the future.

Detailed study of the microwave emission of the supernova remnant 3C 396

We have observed the supernova remnant 3C~396 in the microwave region using the Parkes 64-m telescope. Observations have been made at 8.4 GHz, 13.5 GHz, and 18.6 GHz and in polarisation at 21.5 GHz. We have used data from several other observatories, including previously unpublished observations performed by the Green Bank Telescope at 31.2 GHz, to investigate the nature of the microwave emission of 3C 396. Results show a spectral energy distribution dominated by a single component power law emission with $\alpha=(-0.364 \pm 0.017)$. Data do not favour the presence of anomalous microwave emission coming from the source. Polarised emission at 21.5 GHz is consistent with synchrotron-dominated emission. We present microwave maps and correlate them with infrared (IR) maps in order to characterise the interplay between thermal dust and microwave emission. IR vs. microwave TT plots reveal poor correlation between mid-infrared and microwave emission from the core of the source. On the other hand, a correlation is detected in the tail emission of the outer shell of 3C 396, which could be ascribed to Galactic contamination.Comment: published in MNRA

The efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-specific antibodies against glioma xenografts is influenced by receptor levels, activation status, and heterodimerization

Purpose: Factors affecting the efficacy of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) remain relatively unknown, especially in glioma. Experimental Design: We examined the efficacy of two EGFR-specific mAbs (mAbs 806 and 528) against U87MG-derived glioma xenografts expressing EGFR variants. Using this approach allowed us to change the form of the EGFR while keeping the genetic background constant. These variants included the de2-7 EGFR (or EGFRvIII), a constitutively active mutation of the EGFR expressed in glioma. Results: The efficacy of the mAbs correlated with EGFR number; however, the most important factor was receptor activation. Whereas U87MG xenografts expressing the de2-7 EGFR responded to therapy, those exhibiting a dead kinase de2-7 EGFR were refractory. A modified de2-7 EGFR that was kinase active but autophosphorylation deficient also responded, suggesting that these mAbs function in de2-7 EGFR–expressing xenografts by blocking transphosphorylation. Because de2-7 EGFR–expressing U87MG xenografts coexpress the wild-type EGFR, efficacy of the mAbs was also tested against NR6 xenografts that expressed the de2-7 EGFR in isolation. Whereas mAb 806 displayed antitumor activity against NR6 xenografts, mAb 528 therapy was ineffective, suggesting that mAb 528 mediates its antitumor activity by disrupting interactions between the de2-7 and wild-type EGFR. Finally, genetic disruption of Src in U87MG xenografts expressing the de2-7 EGFR dramatically enhanced mAb 806 efficacy. Conclusions: The effective use of EGFR-specific antibodies in glioma will depend on identifying tumors with activated EGFR. The combination of EGFR and Src inhibitors may be an effective strategy for the treatment of glioma

Heterogeneous Diffusion in Highly Supercooled Liquids

The diffusivity of tagged particles is demonstrated to be very heterogeneous on time scales comparable to or shorter than the $\alpha$ relaxation time $\tau_{\alpha}$ ($\cong$ the stress relaxation time) in a highly supercooled liquid via 3D molecular dynamics simulation. The particle motions in the relatively active regions dominantly contribute to the mean square displacement, giving rise to a diffusion constant systematically larger than the Einstein-Stokes value. The van Hove self-correlation function $G_s(r,t)$ is shown to have a long distance tail which can be scaled in terms of $r/t^{1/2}$ for t \ls 3\tau_{\alpha}. Its presence indicates heterogeneous diffusion in the active regions. However, the diffusion process eventually becomes homogeneous on time scales longer than the life time of the heterogeneity structure ($\sim 3 \tau_{\alpha}$).Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

The detection of lubricating oil viscosity changes in gearbox transmission systems driven by sensorless variable speed drives using electrical supply parameters

Lubrication oil plays a decisive role to maintain a reliable and efficient operation of gear transmissions. Many offline methods have been developed to monitor the quality of lubricating oils. This work focus on developing a novel online method to diagnose oil degradation based on the measurements from power supply system to the gearbox. Experimental studies based on an 10kW industrial gearbox fed by a sensorless variable speed drive (VSD) shows that measurable changes in both static power and dynamic behaviour are different with lube oils tested. Therefore, it is feasible to use the static power feature to indicate viscosity changes at low and moderate operating speeds. In the meantime, the dynamic feature can separate viscosity changes for all different tested cases