Age-related changes in blood lymphocyte subsets of south Indian children

Background. Enumeration of lymphocyte subsets has been widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring of several haematological and immunological disorders. Various studies have demonstrated age, sex and racial differences in lymphocyte subset expression. Reference values are not available for Indian children and there is a need for this information to replace commonly used, but inappropriate, adult lymphocyte subset ranges. Methods. One hundred thirty-eight healthy children be tween 3 and 15 years of age, attending a local government school in Chennai, South India were included in the study. Haemoglobin levels, and total and differential cell counts were determined using an automated counter and lymphocyte subsets were analysed by flowcytornetry. Results. The mean (SD) absolute lymphocyte count declined with age from 4338 (1031) at 3 years to reach a plateau of 3096 (914) at 11-13 years (p < 0.05). A significant decline was also observed in the absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19 + cells. However, the percentage values of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16/56+ cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio remained fairly stable across the age range. Conclusion. Our data would prove useful in interpreting disease-related changes in lymphocyte subsets in Indian children of different age groups. Age-related decrease in the absolute lymphocyte count as well as numbers of CD4 and CD8 cells was found to occur between the ages of 3 and 11 years. A normogram relating age to CD4 count has been developed

Deep Reinforcement Learning for Power Trading

The Dutch power market includes a day-ahead market and an auction-like intraday balancing market. The varying supply and demand of power and its uncertainty induces an imbalance, which causes differing power prices in these two markets and creates an opportunity for arbitrage. In this paper, we present collaborative dual-agent reinforcement learning (RL) for bi-level simulation and optimization of European power arbitrage trading. Moreover, we propose two novel practical implementations specifically addressing the electricity power market. Leveraging the concept of imitation learning, the RL agent's reward is reformed by taking into account prior domain knowledge results in better convergence during training and, moreover, improves and generalizes performance. In addition, tranching of orders improves the bidding success rate and significantly raises the P&L. We show that each method contributes significantly to the overall performance uplifting, and the integrated methodology achieves about three-fold improvement in cumulative P&L over the original agent, as well as outperforms the highest benchmark policy by around 50% while exhibits efficient computational performance

Relationship between chronic periodontitis and metabolic syndrome: a case-control study

Background: The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the periodontal status of patients with metabolic syndrome compared to general healthy individuals and to determine whether the periodontal status was consistent with the values of the metabolic components.Methods: A total of ninety patients were examined in this study. Group one consisted of forty five patients who were confirmed to have metabolic syndrome and group two consisted of forty five age and sex matched healthy controls. Plaque index, Gingival Bleeding Index (Ainamo & Bay), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CEJ), total number of missing teeth and the reasons for extraction were also noted. Medical examination and blood investigations included measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, Body-Mass Index (BMI), serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP ATP III definition. The results obtained were analyzed statistically using SYSTAT html output.Results: The results of the present study showed that the periodontal condition of group one patients were poor compared to group two patients. The periodontal conditioned worsened with an increase in the metabolic components.Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, it can be concluded that that periodontitis and metabolic syndrome were confounding the systemic effects of each other. Dentists should counsel their patients regarding the health hazards of metabolic syndrome and periodontitis and motivate them to maintain good oral hygiene and follow healthy life-style. Keywords: Chronic periodontitis, Metabolic syndrome (MS), Systemic disease

Role of Interferon Gamma Release Assay in Active TB Diagnosis among HIV Infected Individuals

immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. In this study, we assessed the sensitivity of Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) in active tuberculosis patients who were positive for HIV infection and compared it with that of tuberculin skin test (TST). Methodology/Principal Findings: A total of 105 HIV-TB patients who were naı¨ve for anti tuberculosis and anti retroviral therapy were included for this study out of which 53 (50%) were culture positive. Of 105 tested, QuantiFERON-TB Gold intube (QFT-G) was positive in 65% (95% CI: 56% to 74%), negative in 18% (95% CI: 11% to 25%) and indeterminate in 17% (95% CI: 10% to 24%) of patients. The sensitivity of QFT-G remained similar in pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB patients. The QFT-G positivity was not affected by low CD4 count, but it often gave indeterminate results especially in individuals with CD4 count ,200 cells/ml. All of the QFT-G indeterminate patients whose sputum culture were positive, showed #0.25 IU/ml of IFN-c response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). TST was performed in all the 105 patients and yielded the sensitivity of 31% (95% CI: 40% to 22%). All the TST positives were QFT-G positives. The sensitivity of TST was decreased, when CD4 cell counts declined. Conclusions/Significance: Our study shows neither QFT-G alone or in combination with TST can be used to exclude the suspicion of active TB disease. However, unlike TST, QFT-G yielded fewer false negative results even in individuals with low CD4 count. The low PHA cut-off point for indeterminate results suggested in this study (#0.25 IU/ml) may improve the proportion of valid QFT-G results

Multiple recurrences of tuberculosis in an HIV infected individual.

Correspondenc

Improved diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients using RD1-encoded antigen CFP-10

Summary Objective The present study was aimed at determining the serodiagnostic potential of 38-kDa (Rv0934, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-specific antigen) and CFP-10 (Rv3874, RD1 antigen) antigens among HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with pulmonary TB. Methods The diagnostic potential of native 38-kDa (n38-kDa) and recombinant CFP-10 (rCFP-10) antigens was ascertained in terms of sensitivity and specificity using an indirect ELISA. The study included 508 HIV-seronegative TB patients (TB), 54 HIV-seropositive TB patients (HIV–TB), 30 HIV-positive patients without TB (HIV), and 256 controls. Results In HIV–TB, the sensitivities for individual antigens ranged from 14.8% to 31.5% and the specificity was >98% for IgG. When IgA results were added to IgG, the sensitivity increased to 25.9% for 38-kDa and 57.4% for CFP-10; specificity changed to 97.5% for 38-kDa and 98.1% for CFP-10. The combined results of both the antigens gave 59.3% sensitivity and 95.6% specificity. In TB, the sensitivity was 82.8% when the antigen results were combined. None of the HIV-infected controls showed positivity for IgG to either of the two antigens. Conclusion Use of CFP-10 enhances the sensitivity of 38-kDa, and therefore the 38-kDa and CFP-10 antigen combination can be a diagnostic marker in HIV–TB

Development and characterization of a fibroblastic-like cell line from caudal fin of the red-line torpedo, Puntius denisonii (Day) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A fibroblastic-like cell line was established from the ornamental ¢sh, red-line torpedo (Puntius denisonii). The red-line torpedo fin (RTF) cell line is being maintained in Leibovitz’s L-15 mediumsupplementedwith 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for over 1year at 28 1C on a continuous basis in normal atmosphere. The growth rate of RTF cells increased as the FBS proportion increased from 5% to 20% at 28 1C with optimum growth at the concentrations of 10% FBS. The morphology of RTF cell was predominantly fibroblastic like. Propagation of these cell lines was serum dependent, with a low plating efficiency (o15%). Karyotyping analysis of RTF cells at the 25th passage indicated that the modal chromosome number was 2n550. The cell line was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at �196 1C and could be recovered from storage after 6 months with good cell viability. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and CO1, con¢rmed the identity of these cell lines with those reported from this animal species, confirming that the cell lines originated from P. denisonii. The bacterial extracellular products from Vibrio cholerae MTCC3904 and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to be toxic to RTF. The cell lines were not susceptible to viral nervous necrosis virus, a marine ¢sh virus

Effect of phosphorylation on the structure and fold of transactivation domain of p53

Several phosphorylations are known to occur in the N-terminal transactivation domain of human p53. To explore the structural effects of these phosphorylations, we have chemically synthesized the unphosphorylated p53-(1-39) and its three phosphorylated analogs, phosphorylated at Ser-15, Thr-18, and Ser-20. p53-(1-39) and its Ser-15 and Thr-18 phosphorylated analogs were tested for interaction with p300. The order of binding affinities was similar to that derived from biochemical experiments with the whole protein, indicating functional integrity of the domain. Differences in chemical shifts and coupling constants indicate significant structural changes upon phosphorylations. The single tryptophan in the unphosphorylated domain has an emission maximum and a Stern-Volmer constant that are characteristics of tryptophans situated in protein interiors. The diffusion constant is monomer-like, with an axial ratio of 1:7.5, indicating a significant degree of compaction. Upon phosphorylations, the emission maximum and diffusion constant change significantly toward values that indicate more open conformations. Binding of the hydrophobic probe bis-1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate to the unphosphorylated and one of the phosphorylated domains is also significantly different, suggesting different conformations. We propose that phosphorylations switch the largely folded transactivation domain to more open conformations that interact with transcription factors such as p300/cAMP- responsive element-binding protein-binding protein, leading to enhancement of gene expression

A pilot study on willingness to participate in future preventive HIV vaccine trials

Background & objectives: In India, phase-I human clinical trials for a preventive HIV vaccine are being conducted at Pune and Chennai Centres. In order to find out the willingness of populations at risk to participate in future preventive HIV vaccine trials (HIVVTs) and to assess the factors that enhance or deter them from participation, a study was conducted at Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among transport workers, people attending sexually transmitted infection clinics, injection drug users, men having sex with men, women in sex industry and a representative sample of monogamous married women, by employing measurement scales. A structured questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes about the HIV vaccine was used to measure the participants’ knowledge and attitudes about HIV vaccine and HIVVTs. Results: Of the 112 participants, 67 (60%) were men. Mean age of the respondents was 32 yr; 68 per cent were high school educated. Majority of respondents were willing to participate in a future HIVVT and the reasons were altruism, protection from HIV, and support for the researchers. Major concerns were vaccine efficacy, side effects of the vaccine and the impact of a HIV vaccine on the participants’ lives. Majority (85%) agreed that sex without condom would not be safe despite the availability of an HIV vaccine. Interpretation & conclusion: It is likely that high-risk volunteers will be willing to enroll in HIVVTs. Barriers and concerns should be dealt with carefully by providing correct information. Also there is a need for more education to ensure participants’ understanding of key concepts of HIV vaccine trial

Development and comparison of loop mediated isothermal amplification assay and polymerase chain reaction based on major capsid protein gene for detection of CyHV-2 infection in gold fish Carassius auratus (L.)

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) is the etiological agent of goldfish herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis (GHVHN) that caused high economic losses in goldfish aquaculture. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting major capsid protein (MCP) gene of CyHV-2 were standardised and evaluated for detection of CyHV-2. CyHV-2 was purified from infected fantail goldfish fin (FtGF) cells using ultracentrifugation and used as template for developing the diagnostic assays. The new LAMP and PCR assays are highly specific and did not amplify the nucleic acids of other fish pathogens tested, namely spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3), and viral nervous necrosis virus (VNNV), Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii, A. caviae, Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio anguillarum, V. parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi and Proteus hauseri. Among the two assays developed, LAMP was found to be more sensitive, capable of detecting 10 copies of the plasmid construct containing 942 bp fragment of MCP gene of CyHV-2, while PCR could detect only 100 copies. The LAMP assay developed is a simple, rapid and reliable method for detection of CyHV-2 infection which can also be used in field conditions