The Anti-Fasciolasis Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Trichoderma harzianum and Their Improvement of the Anti-Fasciolasis Drug Triclabendazole

Recently, new strains of Fasciola demonstrated drug resistance, which increased the need for new drugs or improvement of the present drugs. Nanotechnology is expected to open some new opportunities to fight and prevent diseases using an atomic scale tailoring of materials. The ability to uncover the structure and function of biosystems at the nanoscale, stimulates research leading to improvement in biology, biotechnology, medicine and healthcare. The size of nanomaterials is similar to that of most biological molecules and structures; therefore, nanomaterials can be useful for both in vivo and in vitro biomedical research and applications. Therefore, this work aimed to isolate fungal strains from Taif soil samples, which have the ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The fungus Trichoderma harzianum, when challenged with silver nitrate solution, accumulated silver nanoparticles (AgNBs) on the surface of its cell wall in 72 h. These nanoparticles, dislodged by ultrasonication, showed an absorption peak at 420 nm in a UV-visible spectrum, corresponding to the plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles. The transmission electron micrographs of dislodged nanoparticles in aqueous solution showed the production of reasonably monodisperse silver nanoparticles (average particle size: 4.66 nm) by the fungus. The percentage of non hatching eggs treated with the Triclabendazole drug was 69.67%, while this percentage increased to 89.67% in combination with drug and AgNPs.     

In vitro effects of urease inhibitors on rate of urea hydrolysis in soils

We studied the effect of urease inhibitors on the urea hydrolysis in some Sundanese soils belonging to the orders of Vertisol and Entisol. The hydrolysis showed a lag period of about 3 days and its rate (Y) per unit time (t) could be described by a two constants exponential equation of the general form Y = K₁t^K ₂. Statistical analysis showed that the intercept K₁ (rate of urea hydrolysis) was significantly affected by soil type rather than treatment. It seems that K₁ is associated with the soils' initial urease activity as it closely correlates with the Michaelis constant (km).The gradient, K₂, being significantly affected by soil type as well as treatment is probably associated with the induced urease activity with time and it, therefore, varied with variations in soils and treatments. Of the so-called urease inhibitors used in this study Ca(OH)₂, p-benzoquinone (PBQ) and orthophosphoric acid (OP) only PBQ reduced urea hydrolysis while the other chemicals have effects possibly related to modifying the soil pH. Inhibitor treated soils had substantial amounts of unacounted for N which was believed to be present, presumably, in the form of carbamate.Contribution from the Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shambat, Sudan.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of solution conformations in C4-V3 hybrid peptides derived from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 gp120: relation to specificity of peptide-induced anti-HIV neutralizing antibodies

Immunogenic peptides containing epitopes of the gp120 C4 and V3 regions from human immunodeficiency virus strains MN and EV91 have been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular modeling and used as immunogens in rhesus monkeys. The results, combined with those for other peptides, suggest a correlation between solution conformation and immunologic cross-reactivity.     

Entorhinal cortex of aged subjects with Down''s syndrome shows severe neuronal loss caused by neurofibrillary pathology

OBJECTIVE: To examine directly the extent to which ICD-10 hyperkinetic disorder and DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) identify the same children with the same difficulties. METHOD: Participants were children referred for symptoms of overactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, and a normal control group. Diagnostic criteria for ICD-10 hyperkinetic disorder and DSM-IV ADHD were applied retrospectively. Four groups were identified: hyperkinetic disorder and ADHD (n = 21), ADHD only (n = 22), clinic control (n = 15), and normal control (n = 19). The groups were compared on measures reflecting the central characteristics of ADHD, neurodevelopmental functioning, academic and cognitive functioning, and the presence of conduct problems. RESULTS: There is some evidence of increased symptom severity in the combined diagnostic group. Few differences emerged on measures of neurodevelopmental, academic, and cognitive functioning. Rates of conduct disturbance were similar in both ADHD groups. CONCLUSIONS: DSM-IV criteria identify a broader group of children than those identified by ICD-10. However, there is substantial overlap between the groups formed with these different criteria.     

A view from the family: years after a loved one has died of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND: Macrosclerotherapy in combination with compression has proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of varicose veins. Local compression is increased by pads, according to Laplace law. Firm rolls of cotton wool are fixed over the course of the entire vein to increase local compression and to reduce complications. Additional compression is given by a combination of a class I (daytime and nighttime) and class II (daytime only) medical compression hosiery. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of sclerocompression therapy with cotton wool rolls in combination with medical compression hosiery. METHOD: Prospective study with 100 patients (120 legs) with primary varicose veins, which are treated with polidocanol as sclerosant with the empty vein technique. Immediately after the injection, a long cotton wool roll is placed over the entire vein and fixed. Additional compression is obtained with class I and class II medical compression hosiery. The interface pressure on the skin, just under the cotton wool roll, is measured on 12 legs with the aid of an interface pressure measuring instrument (Oxford Pressure Monitor). RESULTS: Good sclerosing results are obtained in all patients. Side effects are classified as early and late. In 16 patients, minor side effects which needed no treatment are observed. In only 3 cases (2.5%), intravascular blood clots (2) and phlebitis (1) needed incision and expression. The mean interface pressure of all measuring sensors under the cotton wool roll is 84 mm/Hg (68 to 122 mm/Hg). CONCLUSION: This study proves the high effectiveness of a cotton wool roll compression right at the place of treatment. By using these long cotton wool compression rolls, the compression part of sclerocompression therapy becomes more effective and much easier to perform.     

Structural studies on an inhibitory antibody against Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase suggest mode of inhibition

TP7, an antibody against Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I (TaqP), is used as a thermolabile switch in 'hot start' variations of PCR to minimize non-specific amplification events. Earlier studies have established that TP7 binds to the polymerase domain of TaqP, competes with primer template complex for binding and is a potent inhibitor of the polymerase activity of TaqP. We report crystallographic determination of the structure of an Fab fragment of TP7 and computational docking of the structure with the known three-dimensional structure of the enzyme. Our observations strongly suggest that the origin of inhibitory ability of TP7 is its binding to enzyme residues involved in DNA binding and polymerization mechanism. Although criteria unbiased by extant biochemical data have been used in identification of a putative solution, the resulting complex offers an eminently plausible structural explanation of biochemical observations. The results presented are of general significance for interpretation of docking experiments and in design of small molecular inhibitors of TaqP, that are not structurally similar to substrates, for use in PCR. Structural and functional similarities noted among DNA polymerases, and the fact that several DNA polymerases are pharmacological targets, make discovery of non-substrate based inhibitors of additional importance.      

A novel surgical method of repair for Stahl's ear: a case report and review of current treatment modalities

Stahl's ear is a congenital malformation of the auricle, which is uncommon in non-Oriental societies. A number of different treatment modalities have been suggested, many of which yield unpredictable results. We review current treatment modalities from the English literature and describe a novel, simple surgical method of repair. First, a helical rim incision is made to expose the abnormal third crus and upper pole of the ear. The third crus is excised as a narrow wedge of cartilage and posterior skin, and the defect is closed primarily. The free third crus cartilage is then grafted onto the scaphal cartilage in an anatomically correct position to form a superior crus. The anterior skin flap is redraped and bolstered over this graft. Only a very small scar on the helical rim remains visible anteriorly.     

Disaster relief work: nurses and others in bushfire territory

This paper describes one aspect of a study into the experiences in long-term healing of a community following the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfire. Forty participants were interviewed, of whom 26 were residents and 14 disaster relief workers. The paper concentrates on the experiences of the latter, describing how they came to understand the bushfire affected the community and how they managed disaster work. For novices it was a profoundly difficult experience, for which they received little help and had to manage with whatever skill they drew on in their 'normal' working lives, mixed with a good deal of intuition. The paper suggests that health workers in vulnerable areas require preparation for a likely disaster; that 'outsiders' need to deal through existing community groups and individuals to gain access to those in need of their skills, and that they also require preparation for helping 'insiders' who are themselves victims of the catastrophe.