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Abstract Background The emergence of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans, which is in many cases misdiagnosed by microscopy as Plasmodium malariae due to the morphological similarity has contributed to the needs of detection and differentiation of malaria parasites. At present, nested PCR targeted on Plasmodium ssrRNA genes has been described as the most sensitive and specific method for Plasmodium detection. However, this method is costly and requires trained personnel for its implementation. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a novel nucleic acid amplification method was developed for the clinical detection of P. knowlesi. The sensitivity and specificity of LAMP was evaluated in comparison to the results obtained via microscopic examination and nested PCR. Methods LAMP assay was developed based on P. knowlesi genetic material targeting the apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) gene. The method uses six primers that recognize eight regions of the target DNA and it amplifies DNA within an hour under isothermal conditions (65°C) in a water-bath. Results LAMP is highly sensitive with the detection limit as low as ten copies for AMA-1. LAMP detected malaria parasites in all confirm cases (n = 13) of P. knowlesi infection (sensitivity, 100%) and none of the negative samples (specificity, 100%) within an hour. LAMP demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to nested PCR by successfully detecting a sample with very low parasitaemia (< 0.01%). Conclusion With continuous efforts in the optimization of this assay, LAMP may provide a simple and reliable test for detecting P. knowlesi malaria parasites in areas where malaria is prevalent.

Abstract Background The general enhanced expression of α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), clusterin (CLU), α1-antitrypsin (AAT), haptoglobin β-chain (HAP), and leucine rich glycoprotein (LRG) in the sera of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOCa) was recently reported. In the present study, we compared the expression of the serum acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the patients according to their stages of cancer. Results Different altered stage correlative expression of the high abundance serum APPs was demonstrated in sera of the patients studied. While the expression of ACT, HAP and AAT appeared to demonstrate positive correlation with the three initial stages of the cancer, inverse correlation was apparently detected in the expression of LRG and CLU. For patients who were diagnosed with stage IV of the cancer, expression of the serum APPs did not conform to the altered progression changes. Conclusion Our results highlight the potential prognostic significance of selective high abundance serum APPs in patients with EOCa.

Abstract Background Acute-phase response involves the simultaneous altered expression of serum proteins in association to inflammation, infection, injury or malignancy. Studies of the acute-phase response usually involve determination of the levels of individual acute-phase serum proteins. In the present study, the acute-phase response of patients with epithelial (EOCa) and germ-line (GOCa) ovarian carcinoma was investigated using the gel-based proteomic approach, a technique which allowed the simultaneous assessment of the levels of the acute-phase serum high abundance proteins. Data obtained were validated using ELISA and immunostaining of biopsy samples. Results Enhanced expression of clusterin (CLU), α1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin and leucine rich glycoprotein was detected in all patients. However, the levels of α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) was only enhanced in EOCa patients, while patients with GOCa were typically characterized by elevated levels of ceruloplasmin but lower levels of α2-HS glycoprotein. The enhanced expression of CLU in EOCa and GOCa patients and up-regulated expression of ACT specifically in EOCa patients were confirmed by ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining of biopsy samples of EOCa and GOCa patients demonstrated correlation of the acute-phase protein expression. Conclusion Patients with EOCa and GOCa demonstrated distinctive aberrant expression of serum and tissue high abundance acute-phase proteins compared to negative control women.

We have studied the effect of chain topology on the structural properties and diffusion of polymers in a dilute solution in a good solvent. Specifically, we have used three different simulation techniques to compare the chain size and diffusion coefficient of linear and ring polymers in solution. The polymer chain is modeled using a bead-spring representation. The solvent is modeled using three different techniques: molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with a particulate solvent in which hydrodynamic interactions are accounted through the intermolecular interactions, multiparticle collision dynamics (MPCD) with a point particle solvent which has stochastic interactions with the polymer, and the lattice Boltzmann method in which the polymer chains are coupled to the lattice fluid through friction. Our results show that the three methods give quantitatively similar results for the effect of chain topology on the conformation and diffusion behavior of the polymer chain in a good solvent. The ratio of diffusivities of ring and linear polymers is observed to be close to that predicted by perturbation calculations based on the Kirkwood hydrodynamic theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea, a culturally significant beverage, originated around 2700 B.C. in ancient Chinese civilization, with a profound understanding of its therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines from diverse plant sources have been esteemed for their phytochemical content. Today, tea's appeal spans the globe, with various processing techniques creating distinct tea varieties. This review article comprehensively explores tea and herbal teas, encompassing their origins, types, trade history, health benefits, chemical composition, and market and future dynamics. This review examines tea's evolution from ancient China to its global significance and analyzes the impact of tea trade routes on cultural exchanges and trade dynamics. The review covers conventional teas (black, green, and oolong), blended teas, and herbal teas. It primarily focuses on herbal beverages' chemical composition and active components derived from diverse plants and botanicals, highlighting their traditional uses and health‐promoting applications. The review provides valuable insights into the dynamic herbal tea market, growth, consumer preferences, industry trends, and future aspects of the herbal beverage. Additionally, it explores the proper classification and preparation of herbal drinks for maximum benefits, shedding light on tea manufacturing and preparation processes. This review is a valuable resource for tea enthusiasts, health‐conscious individuals, and industry stakeholders, offering profound insights into teas and their multifaceted allure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified mode-coupling theory (MCT) of ergodic–nonergodic transitions, in conjunction with an accurate two-component polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) theory for equilibrium structural correlations, has been systematically applied to investigate gelation, localization, and elasticity of flexible polymer-hard particle suspensions. The particle volume fraction at the fluid–gel transition is predicted to depend exponentially on reduced polymer concentration and size asymmetry ratio at relatively high colloid concentrations. In contrast, at lower particle volume fractions, a power-law dependence on polymer concentration is found with effective exponents and prefactors that depend systematically on the polymer/particle size ratio. Remarkable power-law and near universal scaling behavior is found for the localization length and elastic shear modulus. Multiple experiments for gel boundaries and shear moduli are in good agreement with the no adjustable parameter theory. The one exception is the absolute magnitude of the shear modulus which is strongly overpredicted, apparently due to nonequilibrium dense cluster formation. The simplified MCT-PRISM theory also captures the qualitative aspects of the weak depletion-driven “glass melting” phenomenon at high particle volume fractions. Calculations based on an effective one-component model of structure within a low particle volume fraction framework yield qualitatively different features than the two-component approach and are apparently all in disagreement with experiments. This suggests that volume fraction and size asymmetry dependent many-body screening of polymer-mediated depletion attractions at finite particle concentrations are important. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]