Effect of Early Iron Deficiency in Rat on the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Shunt in Brain

Early iron deficiency in rat does not affect the weight or the protein, DNA, and RNA content but results in a slight reduction in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (13%, p less than 0.01) and glutamic acid (20%, p less than 0.001) content of the brain. The activities of the two GABA shunt enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase and GABA-transaminase, and of the NAD+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) were inhibited whereas the glutamic acid decarboxylase, mitochondrial NADP+-linked ICDH, and succinic dehydrogenase activities remained unaltered in brain. On rehabilitation with the iron-supplemented diet for 1 week, these decreased enzyme activities in brain attained the corresponding control values. However, the hepatic nonheme iron content increased to about 80% of the control, after rehabilitation for 2 weeks. A prolonged iron deficiency resulting in decreased levels of glutamate and GABA may lead to endocrinological, neurological, and behavioral alterations.     

A study of the pollen grains of Amaranthus spinosus Linné and A. Dubius Mart ex Thellung and their hybrids

A pollen-morphology study of Amaranthus spinosus, A. dubius, and their hybrids has been carried out. Three pollen types have been observed, namely (1) Type A: micrograins; (2) Type B: grains with smaller pores; and (3) Type C: grains with larger pores. Type B is characteristic of A. spinosus, Type C of A. dubius, and the micrograins of the hybrids. Pollen size range, and frequency of the various morphotypes serve to throw light on the biosystematics of the plants studied.     

Prevalence and Association of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis with Disease Course in Patients with Ulcero-Constrictive Ileocolonic Disease

Background

Association of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) and Crohn’s disease (CD) has been controversial due to contradictory reports. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of MAP in patients with CD and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and its association with clinical course.

Methodology

Blood and intestinal biopsies were taken from 69 CD, 32 ITB patients and 41 patients with haemorrhoidal bleed who served as controls. qPCR targeting of MAP-specific IS900 gene was used to detect the presence of MAP DNA. qPCR results were further validated by sequencing. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the presence of MAP antigen in biopsy specimens. CD and ITB patients were followed-up for disease course and response to therapy.

Principal Findings

The frequency of MAP-specific DNA in biopsies by qPCR was significantly higher in CD patients (23.2%, p = 0.03) as compared to controls (7.3%). No significant difference in intestinal MAP presence was observed between ITB patients (12.5%, p = 0.6) and controls (7.3%). MAP presence in blood of CD patients was 10.1% as compared to 4.9% in controls while no patients with ITB were found to be positive (p = 0.1). Using IHC for detection of MAP antigen, the prevalence of MAP in CD was 2.9%, 12.5% in ITB patients and 2.4% in controls. However, long-term follow-up of the patients revealed no significant associations between clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes with MAP positivity.

Conclusion

We report significantly high prevalence of MAP in intestinal biopsies of CD patients. However, the presence of MAP does not affect the disease course and treatment outcomes in either CD or ITB patients.     

Pre-Hypertension among Young Adults (20–30 Years) in Coastal Villages of Udupi District in Southern India: An Alarming Scenario

IntroductionAccording to Joint National Committee-7 (JNC-7) guidelines, a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120 to 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 to 89 mm Hg is considered as pre-hypertension. Existing evidence suggest that the cardiovascular morbidities are increasing among pre-hypertensive individuals compared to normal.ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude and factors associated with pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years) in coastal villages of Udupi Taluk (an area of land with a city or town that serves as its administrative centre and usually a number of villages), Udupi District, Karnataka state, India.DesignCommunity based cross sectional studySetting6 (out of total 14) coastal villages of Udupi Taluk, Karnataka state, India.Sample1,152 young adults (age group: 20–30 years) selected by stratified random sampling in 6 coastal villages of Udupi Taluk, Karnataka state, IndiaMethodA semi structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit the details on socio-demographic variables, dietary habits, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical activity, family history of hypertension and stress levels. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded according to standard protocols. Serum cholesterol was measured in a sub sample of the study population. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify the independent correlates of pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years).ResultsThe prevalence of pre-hypertension in the study population was 45.2% (95%CI: 42.4–48). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age group of 25–30 years (adj OR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.99–6.05), white collared (adj OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.08–4.85) and skilled occupation (adj OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.64–6.42), students (adj OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.22–4.95), using refined cooking oil (adj OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29–0.95), extra salt in meals (adj OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.52–3.99), salty food items (adj OR: 6.99, 95% CI: 3.63–13.48), pre-obese (adj OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03–2.67) and obese (adj OR: 9.16, 95% CI: 2.54, 36.4) were the significant correlates of pre-hypertension.ConclusionIn the study population, prevalence of pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years) was high (45.2%). Biological (age 25–30 years, pre-obesity and obesity) and behavioral (sedentary occupation, intake of extra salt in meals/salty food and not using refined cooking oil) factors were associated with pre-hypertension. Study emphasizes the need of community based screening of pre-hypertension under National Rural Health Mission. It also provides apt information for the evidence based designing of interventions for lifestyle modifications among high risk young adults in the study area.     

Effect of Vanadium Supplementation on Production Performance,Nutrient Utilization,Plasma Mineral Concentration,and Mineral Balance in Lactating Goats

Biological Trace Element Research - Vanadium (V) has not been elucidated as an essential mineral in ruminants, though in lower organisms and rat model, its role is well known as insulin—a...     

Glutathione and citric acid modulates lead- and arsenic-induced phytotoxicity and genotoxicity responses in two cultivars of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis> L.

This study was conducted through the pot experiments to understand the mechanism of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As)-induced phytotoxicity and their possible alleviation by glutathione (GSH) and citric acid (CA) in two cultivars of Solanum lycopersicum L., i.e., Pusa ruby (PR) and Arka vikas (S22). Therefore, tomato seedlings were germinated in soil-rite supplemented with seven treatments, i.e., control, 10 µM Pb, 10 µM As, 10 µM Pb + 250 µM GSH, 10 µM As + 250 µM GSH, 10 µM Pb + 250 µM CA and 10 µM As + 250 µM CA for 7 days and examined for growth parameters, lipid peroxidation, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidative mechanism. Results of our study showed that Pb and As alone decrease seed germination, growth parameter, chlorophylls and increase anthocyanins and lipid peroxidation in both the cultivars. Pb- and As-induced oxidative stress resulted into significant changes in the plant responses that attributed by increased activity of antioxidative enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants. GSH and CA showed potential to alleviate Pb- or As-induced phytotoxicity and strengthen the plant antioxidative machinery and structural integrity. Cultivar PR showed better response than cv. S22. Pb and As treatment caused significant damages to the DNA molecules and structural integrity of the cv. PR roots. These findings can be useful for understanding the Pb- and As-induced phytotoxic biomarkers along with GSH- and CA-mediated alleviation mechanisms, which will provide new insight in developing better system for phytoremediation technology.