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Type II diabetes mellitus is currently globally one of the fastest growing non-communicable diseases, especially in developing countries. This investigation reports on a meta-analysis undertaken of the C-11377G locus within the adiponectin gene in a black South African, a Cuban Hispanic and a German Caucasian cohort. Genotyping was performed via a real-time PCR strategy. Both fixed- and random-effects models were tested to describe the diabetes risk at both the cohort and population levels. The 2,2 genotype may only be associated with increased diabetes risk in the Cuban Hispanic cohort. Population-specific effects may have masked these associations upon meta-analytical analysis, as no significant odds ratio could be determined. Thus, to examine diabetes risk, a more global approach including the design of population-specific experimental strategies should be used, which will be crucial in developing health education and policies in a global health programme.The Pharmacogenomics Journal (2009) 9, 42–48; doi:10.1038/tpj.2008.2; published online 4 March 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several rectifier-inverter and matrix converter topologies suitable for aerospace applications are compared, and their reliability is predicted. The military handbook MIL-HDBK-217F guidelines have been used to predictreliability. The matrix converter has several attractive features for aerospace applications such as potential size and weight savings. Although the matrix converter has a higher number of semiconductor switches, they are subjected to a lower voltage stress, which decreases their failure rate. This results in the reliability indicators of the different converter topologies being very similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanolic extracts from 30 species of marine algae were assayed for antiviral activity against Potato virus X (PVX) in local lesion assays, using Chenopodium quinoa L. as host. Extracts from six algal species (Fucus gardneri Silva, Alaria marginata Postels & Ruprecht, Ralfsia sp. (Berkeley), Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot, Fragilaria oceanica Cleve, and Egregia menziesii (Turner) J.E. Areschoug) inhibited PVX infectivity by more than 80%. Most extracts with antiviral activity came from algae that belong to the phylum Heterokontophyta. Fractionation of a crude extract from F. gardneri resulted in identification of the polysaccharide alginate as an antiviral component. Alginate inhibited PVX infectivity by 95%, and the mode of action may be via aggregation of virus particles. The present study is the first to investigate New World algae for compounds with activity against plant viruses and the first report that extracts of F. gardneri, Ralfsia sp., and Fragilaria oceanica are sources of antiviral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissemination of allergenic plants as horticultural introductions, or in the case of the weed Porthenlum hysterophorus L. apparently by chance, can have undesirable results. This species of the Compositae family, native to the Caribbean region, has spread widely in India, causing allergic contact dermatitis from its content of sesquiterpene lactones, and has recently appeared in Australia. The clinical features consist of dermatitis of the exposed skin surfaces from direct contact with the weed, but resembling photodermatitis. In fact, contact dermatitis from the plant can coexist with light sensitivity. The plant does not show phototoxic activity but may contain an unidentified photoallergen. Since plant hairs and the pollen contain sesquiterpene lactones, they can probably cause airbone contact dermatitis. Attempts to control spread of the plant have so far not been successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacetylenes and their thiaphene derivatives were tested for their effects on human skin. Topically applied α-terthienyl evoked bi-phasic phototoxic dermatitis and the appearance of `sunburn cells in human epidermis. None of 11 polyacetylenes had the same effect although they mimicked α-terthienyl in their photetoxic effects on Candida albicans and certain pathogenic microorganisms, The UV-mediated antibiotic activity of the compounds and their apparent lack of phototoxicity towards the skin suggest a potential topical therapeutic role for them in yeast, fungal and bacterial infections and light- responsive dermatoses. Their topical sensitizing capacity, however, has not yet been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the implementation of the outcome-based education (OBE) in public school of the United States. Explanation of the outcome-based education; Systematic approaches to instruction and assessment of the OBE; Usage of mastery learning as educational approach; Drawbacks of mastery learning; Accounts of a principal's experience with the implementation of OBE.

Background: Large genome-wide association (GWA) studies of European ancestry individuals have identified multiple genetic variants influencing iron status. Studies on the generalizability of these associations to African ancestry populations have been limited. These studies are important given interethnic differences in iron status and the disproportionate burden of iron deficiency among African ancestry populations. Methods: We tested the associations of 20 previously identified iron status-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 628 Kenyans, 609 Tanzanians, 608 South Africans and 228 African Americans. In each study, we examined the associations present between 20 SNPs with ferritin and haemoglobin, adjusting for age, sex and CRP levels. Results: In the meta analysis including all 4 African ancestry cohorts, we replicated previously reported associations with lowered haemoglobin concentrations for rs2413450 (β = -0.19, P = 0.02) and rs4820268 (β = -0.16, P = 0.04) in TMPRSS6. An association with increased ferritin concentrations was also confirmed for rs1867504 in TF (β = 1.04, P = <0.0001) in the meta analysis including the African cohorts only. Conclusions: In all meta analyses, we only replicated 4 of the 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms reported to be associated with iron status in large GWA studies of European ancestry individuals. While there is now evidence for the associations of a number of genetic variants with iron status in both European and African ancestry populations, the considerable lack of concordance highlights the importance of continued ancestry-specific studies to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of iron status in ethnically diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have been interested in phototoxic compounds from plants and have reported polyacetylenic compounds from various plants which are phototoxic. One poly-acetylene derivative also caused phototoxic dermatitis on human skin. Polyacetylenic photoactivity differs from that of psoralen. amongst the orange family is dictamnus, horticultural species of which have been reported to evoke photodermatitis. some species of this genus yield psoralens. Dictamnus also yields furoquinoline alkaloids. The authors found that one such alkaloid for phototoxicity is similar to that of psoralen.

Objectives: Hypertension and diabetes are common in rapidly urbanising sub-Saharan African communities. However, lack of longitudinal data in these regions prevents adequate analysis of the link between measures of glycaemia and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we examined the relationships of fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with brachial and central blood pressure (BP), and measures of vascular structure and function after five years in black South Africans. Setting and subjects: Nine hundred and twenty-eight participants were included as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study in the North West Province. Outcome measures: Fasting glucose, HbA1c and brachial BP at two time points were determined. Central BP, augmentation index (AI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were taken at follow-up. Results: Fasting glucose [4.78 (3.50, 6.30) vs. 5 mmol/l (3.96, 6.42)]; HbA1c [5.6 (4.9, 6.3) vs. 5.9% (5.2, 6.9) and (37 vs. 41 mmol/mol)]; and BP (134/88.1 vs. 138/89.5 mmHg) increased significantly over five years (p-value < 0.05). However, an association was absent between BP, AI or CIMT and either baseline or the five-year change in glucose or HbA1c. Multivariate analyses confirmed that neither glucose or HbA1c predicted changes in BP, CIMT or AI, but factors that did associate significantly were age, male gender, rural location, abdominal obesity, alcohol intake, total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio, C-reactive protein and antihypertensive medication (R², ranging from 0.24-0.36). Conclusion: Although both BP and measures of glycaemia increased significantly over five years in black South Africans, glucose was not independently associated with BP or measures of large artery structure or function. We suggest that fasting glucose and HbA1c below the threshold of diagnosing diabetes should not be used in isolation to predict cardiovascular risk in African individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterised by weakness and atrophy of the facial and shoulder girdle muscles. The FSHD phenotype segregates as an autosomal dominant trait and is caused by a deletion of an integral number of 3.3 kilobase pair (kb) repeat units on chromosome 4q35. Haplotype and Southern blot analyses of chromosome 4 resulted in the detection of two BlnI resistant deletion fragments, of 24kb and 34kb respectively, in a single individual from a South African FSHD family. The patient had moderate facial weakness and marked winging and high-riding of the scapulae with prominent pectoral and proximal arm muscle atrophy and weakness. Quadriceps and anterior tibial muscles were weak and the patient had bilateral foot drop. Although none of his children were symptomatic yet and only two showed very mild clinical signs, one had inherited the 24kb deletion fragment, while the other two had the 34kb deletion fragment. Molecular analysis conclusively identified the first compound heterozygous case in the South African FSHD population. However, in accordance with other studies of compound heterozygotes and clinical findings, no direct correlation between the clinical severity of this patient and the number of deletion fragments was observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Indigenous traditional knowledge and western science have revealed the potential for significant nutritional and therapeutic benefits among natural antioxidants. We investigated antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of rose hip extracts (Rosa nutkana, Rosa pisocarpa and Rosa woodsii) from wild British Columbia populations using liposome oxidation and disc diffusion assays. All extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity. R. nutkana pericarp extracts contained high phenolic concentrations and showed greater antioxidant and antimicrobial activity than seed extracts. R. woodsii seed extracts had a higher phenolic concentration and greater antioxidant activity than pericarp extracts. Antioxidant activity was correlated with antimicrobial activity, and both extracts showed antimicrobial activity against yeast and Gram-positive bacteria. Our study is the first to demonstrate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of wild British Columbia roses. The effectiveness of selected species compared with standards demonstrates the significance of this natural resource to the continued health of human populations, and the need for conservation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The naturally-occurring sesquiterpene lactone, parthenin, is responsible for a high incidence of allergic contact dermatitis in India. Cross-sensitivity tests on guinea pigs sensitized to parthenin indicate a relatively high immunological specificity for this low molecular weight hapten. Coronopilin and damsin, sesquiterpene lactones most similar to parthenin, gave positive reactions but other structurally related lactones such as dihydroisoparthenin, tetrahydroparthenin, tetraneurin-A, hysterin, helenalin, and tenulin, or hymenin, a diastereoisomer of parthenin, were negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons suffering from allergic dermatitis caused by direct contact with Parthenium hysterophorus (Compositae) showed delayed immunologic reaction to the sesquiterpene lactone parthenin but not to its diasteriomer, hymenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is unknown whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), associated with iron status in European and Asian populations, have the same relation within the African population. Objectives: We investigated associations of reported SNPs with iron markers in a South African cohort. Methods: Hemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin (SF) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentrations, and body iron (BI) stores were measured in women (n = 686; range, 32-86 y) who were part of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study. Thirty-two SNPs in 12 genes were selected based on existing genome-wide association study data. Results: In the transferrin (TF) gene, SF and BI were significantly lower in the heterozygote genotype (AG) of reference SNP (rs) 1799852 (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) and sTfR concentrations were significantly higher (P = 0.004) than the homozygote minor allele genotype (AA), whereas transferrin receptor and BI concentrations were significantly lower in the heterozygote genotype (AG) of rs3811647 (both P = 0.03) than the homozygote wild-type (AA) and minor allele groups (GG). The chromosome 6 allele combination (AAA) consisting of rs1799964 and rs1800629 both in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and rs2071592 in nuclear factor κB inhibitor-like protein 1 (NFKBIL1) was associated with higher odds for low SF concentrations (SF < 15 µg/L; OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.79) than the allele combinations AGA, GGT, and AGT. The chromosome 22 allele combination (GG) consisting of rs228918 and rs228921 in the transmembrane protease serine 6 (TMPRSS6) gene was associated with lower odds for increased sTfR concentrations (sTfR > 8.3mg/L; OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.98) than the allele combination AA. Conclusions: Various SNPs and allele combinations in the TF, TNF-α, and TMPRSS6genes are associated with iron status in black South African women; however, these association patterns are different compared with European ancestry populations. This stresses the need for population-specific genomic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research study related to phototoxicity evoked by alpha-terthienyl. Alpha-terthienyl is a thiophene compound belonging to a class of polyacetylenic compounds naturally occurring in many plants of the chrysanthemum family. Most plants commonly used for patch testing in suspected weed dermatitis contain these compounds. Volunteers for the test were two adult males aged 50 years and one 28 year old adult female. The article contains results of the study. The role of thiophenes and polyacetylenic compounds in `farmer's skin` and in therapy of skin disorders requires evaluation.

Abstract: The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), cystathione-β-synthase (CBS) and methionine synthase (MTR) genes interact with each other and the environment. These interactions could influence homocysteine (Hcy) and diseases contingent thereon. We determined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes, their relationships and interactions with total Hcy concentrations within black South Africans to address the increased prevalence of diseases associated with Hcy. The MTHFR 677 TT and MTR 2756 AA genotypes were associated with higher Hcy concentrations (16.6 and 10.1μmol/L; p<0.05) compared to subjects harboring the MTHFR 677 CT/CC and the MTR 2756 AG genotypes (10.5, 9.7 and 9.5μmol/L, respectively). The investigated CBS genotypes did not influence Hcy. We demonstrated interactions between the area of residence and the CBS T833C/844ins68 genotypes (p=0.005) so that when harboring the wildtype allele, rural subjects had significantly higher Hcy than their urban counterparts, but when hosting the variant allele the environment made no difference to Hcy. Between the CBS T833C/844ins68 or G9276A and MTHFR C677T genotypes, there were two-way interactions (p=0.003 and=0.004, respectively), with regard to Hcy. Subjects harboring the MTHFR 677 TT genotype in combination with the CBS 833 TT/homozygous 844 non-insert or the MTHFR 677 TT genotype in combination with the CBS 9276 GA/GG displayed higher Hcy concentrations. Therefore, some of the investigated genotypes affected Hcy; residential area changed the way in which the CBS T833C/844ins68 SNPs influenced Hcy concentrations highlighting the importance of environmental factors; and gene–gene interactions allude to epistatic effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Longitudinal cohort studies in sub-Saharan Africa are urgently needed to understand cardiovascular disease development. We, therefore, explored health behaviours and conventional risk factors of African individuals with optimal blood pressure (BP) (&leq;120/80 mm Hg), and their 5-year prediction for the development of hypertension.Methods The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study in the North West Province, South Africa, started in 2005 and included African volunteers (n = 1994; aged > 30 years) from a sample of 6000 randomly selected households in rural and urban areas.Results At baseline, 48% of the participants were hypertensive (&geq;140/90 mmHg). Those with optimal BP (n = 478) were followed at a success rate of 70% for 5 years (213 normotensive, 68 hypertensive, 57 deceased). Africans that became hypertensive smoked more than the normotensive individuals (68.2% vs 49.8%), and they also had a greater waist circumference [ratio of geometric means of 0.94 cm (95% CI: 0.86–0.99)] and greater amount of γ-glutamyltransferase [0.74 U/l (95% CI: 0.62–0.88)] at baseline. The 5-year change in BP was independently explained by baseline γ-glutamyltransferase [R2 = 0.23, β = 0.13 U/l (95% CI: 0.01–0.19)]. Alcohol intake also predicted central systolic BP and carotid cross-sectional wall area (CSWA) at follow-up. Waist circumference was another predictor of BP changes [β = 0.18 cm (95% CI: 0.05–0.24)] and CSWA. HIV infection was inversely associated with increased BP.Conclusions During the 5 years, 24% of Africans with optimal BP developed hypertension. The surge in hypertension in Africa is largely explained by modifiable risk factors. Public health strategies should focus aggressively on lifestyle to prevent a catastrophic burden on the national health system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers information on the result of a study on the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) in which 21 crude methanol extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against NG. It states that the minimum repressive concentrations of active compounds from P. lanceaefolium were tested using a panel of 26 NG strains. Furthermore, the activity of the 2 flavanoids, pinocembrin chalcone, and pinocembrin for susceptible and resistant NG strains would be potential aspects for further study.

Rosa nutkana Presl. (Rosaceae) is distributed abundantly throughout central and southern areas of British Columbia, Canada. Aboriginal people in the Pacific Northwest have traditionally used R. nutkana as a food, medicine, and source of cultural material. The methanolic extract of the fruits of R. nutkana was previously found to have inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In our study, bioactivity-guided fractionation of the methanol extract from R. nutkana led to the isolation of the following 10 compounds: (i) tormentic acid, (ii) euscaphic acid, (iii) ursolic acid, (iv) maslinic acid, (v) quercetin, (vi) catechin gallate, (vii) quercetin-3-O-glucoside, (viii) 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucoside, (ix) l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and (x) 1,6-digalloyl-β-d-glucoside. Structures were elucidated by ultraviolet, infrared, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance data, as well as by comparison with those of the literature. The compounds quercetin, catechin gallate, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucoside, and 1,6-digalloyl-β-d-glucoside exhibited weak antibacterial activity against MRSA. Our research demonstrates the value of traditional knowledge held by Aboriginal people in the Pacific Northwest with respect to uses of R. nutkana. Some described uses in the ethnobotanical literature correspond to activities observed under laboratory conditions. Further work on British Columbia Rosa spp. may contribute to identifying other potential therapeutic uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We conducted pooled and meta-analyses of the association of the calpain-10 gene (CAPN10) polymorphisms SNP-43, Indel-19 and SNP-63 individually and as haplotypes with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 3237 patients and 2935 controls of European ancestry. In the pooled analyses, the common SNP-43*G allele was associated with modest but statistically significant increased risk of T2D (odds ratio (OR)=1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.20), P =0.01). Two haplotype combinations were associated with increased risk of T2D (1-2-1/1-2-1, OR=1.20 (1.03–1.41), P =0.02; and 1-1-2/1-2-1, OR=1.26 (1.01–1.59), P =0.04) and one with decreased risk (1-1-1/2-2-1, OR=0.86 (0.75–0.99), P =0.03). The meta-analysis also showed a significant effect of the 1-2-1/1-2-1 haplogenotype on risk (OR=1.25 (1.05–1.50), P =0.01). However, there was evidence for heterogeneity with respect to this effect (P =0.06). The heterogeneity appeared to be due to data sets in which the cases were selected from samples used in linkage studies of T2D. Using only the population-based case-control samples removed the heterogeneity (P =0.89) and strengthened the evidence for association with T2D in both the pooled (SNP-43*G, OR=1.19 (1.07–1.32), P =0.001; 1-2-1/1-2-1 haplogenotype, OR=1.46 (1.19–1.78), P =0.0003; 1-1-2/1-2-1 haplogenotype, OR=1.52 (1.12–2.06), P =0.007; and 1-1-1/2-2-1 haplogenotype, OR=0.83 (0.70–0.99), P =0.03) and the meta-analysis (SNP-43*G, OR=1.18 (1.05–1.32), P =0.005; 1-2-1/1-2-1 haplogenotype, OR=1.68 (1.33–2.11), P =0.00001). The pooled and meta-analyses as well as the linkage disequilibrium and haplotype diversity studies suggest a role for genetic variation in CAPN10 affecting risk of T2D in Europeans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new compound, 1- O -methyl-6- O -caffeoyl-β- d -glucopyranose ( 1 ), has been isolated from the aerial part of G. rivale , together with five known compounds, cecropiacic acid ( 2 ), niga-ichgoside ( 3 ), gallic acid ( 4 ), 1- o -protocatechuoylglucose ( 5 ), and sucrose ( 6 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods and chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5,7-dimethoxycoumarin and isopimpinellin, together with the well-known phototoxic. photo-irritant furanocoumarins psoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen, were isolated and identified from leaves and fruits of Pelea anisata H. Mann, a plant whose fruit are used in the construction of mohikana leis used in parts of the Hawaiian Islands. The presence of phototoxic furanocoumarins would explain the occurrence of photodermatitis in the wearers of the leis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In six persons with contact allergy to chrysanthemum of florists, patch tests were performed with 25 sesquiterpene lactones. Positive responses were observed to 15 lactones. The most frequently encountered positive responses were to alantolactone (positive in all cases) and to arbusculin A, 8-deoxycumambrin, ambrosin, damsin and psilostachynin. The findings corroborate the assumption that an α-methylene group attached to the γ-lactone ring is an essential prerequisite for allergenic activity of sesquiterpene lactones. Pyrethrum prodaced a positive reaction in one of the patients, pyrethrins gave negative reactions in all. Some of the chrysanthemum patients were also hypersensitive to turpentine and colophony and to garlic, primin and tars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-terthienyl (α-T), a phototoxic thiophene compound isolated from marigolds (Tagetes species), affects cell membranes and does not appear to induce cytogenetic damage. This study was undertaken to investigate topical delivery of α-T and characterize its cutaneous phototoxicity in combination with long-wave UV radiation (UVA) in comparison with locally (intradermal) administered α-T. Percutaneous penetration (PC) of 0.1% and 1% α-T in a 3% Azone gel vehicle was studied in guinea pig skin in vitro and quantitated by UV fluorescence microscopy. Dose-dependent PC of epidermis, adnexae, and superficial dermis was demonstrated in vitro. Alpha-terthienyl (0 1% and 1%) in this vehicle was applied topically in vivo and irradiated with 30 J/cm2 UVA at intervals of 10 min-24 h. Maximum sensitization was achieved with irradiation 1 h following drug application. The clinical response was dose-dependent consisting of erythema, edema, crusting, erosion, and inhibition of hair growth and was observed 72 h to 7 days postirradiation. A comparable dose-dependent phototoxic response was observed when 5-500 μg α-T were injected intradermally and irradiated with UVA. These results indicated that low-dose topical α-T in a nonirritating vehicle can rapidly produce cutaneous photosensitization. Topical α-T/UVA may provide a selective and safer alternative approach for the photochemotheraphy of psoriasis and other cutaneous diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by Artemisia ludoviciana was found to be due to some sesquiterpene lactones notably Iudovicins, and such dermatitis caused by two Chrysanthemum species was found to be due to parthenolide. The immunochemical requisite of the molecular structure of these compounds appeared to be the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond conjugated with the lactone group. Such a system is known to be reactive with cysteine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignins and suberins are complex plant cell-wall macromolecules that are composed mainly of phenylpropanoid residues derived from L-phenylalanine. Lignins and suberins are considered to be covalently linked to carbohydrates and to lipids, respectively. The bonding of these important structural materials within cell walls has never been established. By feeding specifically labeled [13C]ferulic acid over extended durations to seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. and by using solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, the major resonances due to specific carbons in the propanoid side chains of these cell-wall polymers have been identified in situ. The signals were found to differ significantly from those of synthetic lignins, which have usually been considered to be good approximations of natural lignin structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the research paper "Early presentation of HIV-1 KF11Gag and KK10Gag protective epitopes facilitate rapid CD8+ T cell activation and killing of virus infected cells," by H. N. Kløverpris and colleagues is presented.