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An avirulent, live transconjugant Shigella hybrid (LTSHΔ stx) strain was constructed in our earlier study by introducing a plasmid vector, pPR1347, into a Shiga toxin gene deleted Shigella dysenteriae 1. Three successive oral administrations of LTSHΔ stx to female adult mice produced comprehensive passive heterologous protection in their offspring against challenge with wild-type shigellae. Production of NO and different cytokines such asIL-12p70, IL-1β and IL-23 in peritoneal mice macrophages indicated that LTSHΔ stx induced innate and adaptive immunity in mice. Furthermore, production of IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 in LTSH-primed splenic CD4+ T cell suggested that LTSHΔ stx may induce Th1 and Th17 cell-mediated immune responses. Exponential increase of the serum IgG and IgA titre against whole shigellae was observed in immunized adult mice during and after the immunization with the highest peak on day 35. Antigen-specific sIgA was also determined from intestinal lavage of immunized mice. The stomach extracts of neonates from immunized mice, mainly containing mother's milk, contained significant levels of anti-LTSHΔ stx immunoglobulin. These studies suggest that the LTSHΔ stx could be a new live oral vaccine candidate against shigellosis in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.—The present study was undertaken to investigate the alterations in platelet 5-HT2 receptor binding in patients with tension-type headache. Background.—Serotonin (5-HT) has an important but complex role in pain modulation. The involvement of serotonin in tension-type headache has been investigated by studying serotonin in peripheral blood, but results have been inconclusive. There are, however, only a few investigations in which the status of platelet serotonin transporters has been studied by 3 H imipramine and 3 H paroxetine. The present study was undertaken to investigate alterations in platelet 5-HT2A receptors using 3 H ketanserin as a ligand. Methods.—Platelet 3 H ketanserin binding was studied in 14 patients with tension-type headache and in 15 healthy controls. The binding characteristics, equilibrium dissociation constant and maximal number of binding sites were determined by Scatchard analysis. Results.—There was no change in the equilibrium dissociation constant in the patients with headache as compared to the control group, but subgroup analysis revealed that patients with tension-type headache with a headache index of less than 360 had a significantly lower equilibrium dissociation constant as compared to those with a headache index of more than 360; there was a significant correlation between the equilibrium dissociation constant and the headache index. A significant decrease was observed in the maximal number of binding sites in tension-type headache. No correlation was observed between the maximal number of binding sites and age, duration of illness, or headache intensity. Conclusions.—The findings of the present study show that there is a decrease in the number of binding sites of 5-HT2A receptors in some patients with tension-type headache, suggesting postsynaptic serotonergic dysfunction and the involvement of serotonin in... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.--To investigate blood nitrite levels after migraine attacks and to assess whether or not the change in nitric oxide levels observed during acute migraine persist after the attacks. Background.--Involvement of nitric oxide has been suggested in the initiation of acute migraine. Recent studies have shown alteration in the platelet response and platelet nitrite levels during migraine attacks. Methods.--Patients with migraine with aura and patients without aura were included in the study. The study was conducted on 50 patients with migraine and 90 healthy controls. Blood from the patients was collected at least 7 ± 0.8 days after the last attack of migraine. Nitrite levels in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets, and plasma were estimated. Platelet aggregation response in some of these patients was also studied. Results.--No significant change in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte, platelet, and plasma nitrite levels in patients with migraine compared to controls was observed. Patients with migraine with aura had significantly lower polymorphonuclear leukocyte nitrite levels compared to those without aura (P<.05). In addition, no significant difference in the adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation was observed in the migraineurs compared to the healthy controls. Conclusions.--Results obtained indicate that the platelet aggregation response and the blood nitrite levels were not altered significantly after an attack in the patients with migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short- and long-term passive protective efficacy of a mixture of heat-killed cells of six serogroups/serotypes of Shigella strains (Shigella dysenteriae 1, S. flexneri 2a, S. flexneri 3a, S. flexneri 6, S. boydii 4, and S. sonnei) were studied in neonatal mice. Neonatal mice from immunized dams exhibited significant short- and long-term passive protection against individual challenge by each of the six Shigella strains. High IgG and IgA titers against the lipopolysaccharide from each of the six Shigella strains were observed in sera from immunized dams., (© 2014 The Societies and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the alteration in the peripheral neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in Parkinson's disease patients. Therefore, basal nitrite content in PMNs, platelets and in the plasma of PD and control Indian population were evaluated., Materials and Methods: We estimated nitrite, the nitric oxide (NO) metabolite, in neutrophils (PMNs), platelets and in plasma of control and in L-dopa treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. We also measured the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PMNs., Results: We observed a significant increase in the basal nitrite content in PMNs of PD patients without any alteration in the plasma and platelets. Thus, the change was specific to PMNs. Catalase activity was significantly less in the PMNs of PD patients, but SOD and GPx remained unaltered., Conclusion: Results obtained in the PD patients exhibit an increase in the NOS activity in PMNs. Thus, involvement of NO is suggested in PD.