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PubMed1994

Laboratory evaluation of chlorfluazuron against larval phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorfluazuron an insect growth-inhibitor against Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva). Second- and third-instar L. longipalpis were exposed to four different doses (0.65, 0.75, 0.80, and 0.85 mg/ml) of chlorfluazuron added in the larval diet. A direct relationship between dose and larval mortality was observed. Larval mortality was higher in younger larvae. In addition to larval mortality, reduced capacity of the adult females to blood feed, prevention of egg hatching, and morphological abnormalities in adults were noted. A control strategy using chlorfluazuron with other insecticides is suggested to diminish sand fly populations in coffee and cacao plantations.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The tymobox, a sequence shared by most tymoviruses: its use in molecular studies of tymoviruses.

The 5'-terminal sequences of the virion protein mRNAs of ononis yellow mosaic and kennedya yellow mosaic tymoviruses were determined, and also the positions in the genomes of the transcription initiation sites of those mRNAs. Comparisons of the available genomic sequences of tymoviruses revealed two conserved regions, one at the initiation site and another longer sequence of sixteen nucleotides to the 5' side of it. The longer sequence, which we call the tymobox, was tested as a target for a designed ribozyme, which cleaved appropriate genomic fragments of three tymoviruses. A synthetic oligonucleotide with sequence complementary to the tymobox was shown to be a tymovirus-specific probe for diagnosing and identifying tymoviruses, except for wild cucumber mosaic tymovirus. The tymobox sequence was also used as a primer for the second strand DNA synthesis of dsDNA representing the virion protein gene of cacao yellow mosaic tymovirus, a tymovirus with unknown sequence. Thus, the tymobox is a useful tool in molecular studies of tymoviruses.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Phylogeny of five fungus-like protoctistan Phytophthora species, inferred from the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA.

Ribosomal DNA variation was used to study evolutionary relationships among five fungal-like protoctistan Phytophthora species. On the basis of morphological and ecological characteristics, four of these species--P. palmivora, P. megakarya, P. capsici, and P. citrophthora--were once thought to be related. Variation within a species was extensively studied in a fifth, outgroup species--P. cinnamomi--known, on the basis of ecological, isozyme, and mitochondrial DNA studies, to be variable. Internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS I, between the 18S and 5.8S rDNAs; and ITS II, between the 5.8S and 25S rDNAs) from 27 isolates of these five species were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing. Intraspecific variability was undetected or low. Interspecific nucleotide difference was 0.3%-14.6%, and comparisons of variable regions permitted the evaluation of phylogenetic relationships among species. Both neighbor-joining and parsimony analysis of ITS variability support a close relationship between cacao isolates of P. capsici and P. citrophthora and a common lineage for P. palmivora and P. megakarya. Large distance values were estimated between P. cinnamomi and the other species. Inferred relationships based on ITS variability were compared with those based on other characters. The catalog of sequences provides the information necessary to design taxon-specific probes potentially useful in taxonomic, ecological, and population-level studies.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2005

N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine increase cAMP via beta 2-adrenoceptors in myelocytic U937 cells.

N-caffeoyldopamine is a phytochemical found in various plants, including cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.). N-caffeoyldopamine and its natural analogs (N-cinnamoyldopamine, N-coumaroyldopamine, N-feruloyldopamine, and N-sinapoyldopamine) were synthesized and investigated to determine their potency as beta-adrenoceptor agonists, because they have chemical structural moieties found in beta-adrenoceptor agonists. Among the compounds tested in this study, N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine were the two most potent compounds, able to increase cAMP at the concentrations < 0.05 microM in U937 cells. The decreasing order of potency was N-coumaroyldopamine > N-caffeoyldopamine > N-feruloyldopamine > N-sinapoyldopamine > N-cinnamoyldopamine. Using beta2-specific antagonists (butoxamine and ICI 118551), N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine were found to increase cAMP via beta2-adrenoceptors in U937 cells. In producing cAMP in U937 cells, N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine were as potent as several well-known beta2-adrenoceptor agonists (salbutamol, procaterol, and fenoterol). These results indicate that N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine are potent compounds able to increase cAMP via beta2-adrenoceptors in U937 cells, and may have potential effects on human health.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2001

Cloning and sequence analysis of an infectious clone of Citrus yellow mosaic virus that can infect sweet orange via Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation.

Citrus yellow mosaic virus (CYMV), a member of the family Caulimoviridae, genus Badnavirus, causes citrus mosaic disease, a disease that occurs commonly in India. The CYMV genome has been cloned and its complete nucleotide sequence determined. Its DNA genome is 7559 bp in length and contains six putative open reading frames (ORFs), all on the plus-strand of the genome and each capable of encoding proteins with a molecular mass of greater than 10 kDa. ORF 3, the largest ORF, encodes a putative polyprotein for functions involved in virus movement, assembly and replication. The other ORFs encode proteins whose exact functions are not completely understood. The genome also contains a plant tRNA(met)-binding site, which may serve as a primer for minus-strand DNA synthesis, in its intergenic region. Phylogenetic analysis of the badnaviruses revealed that CYMV is most closely related to Cacao swollen shoot virus. It was demonstrated that a construct containing 1.4 copies of the cloned CYMV genome could infect sweet orange via Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1982

Studies on a Factor in Sweet Potato Root Which Agglutinates Spores of Ceratocystis fimbriata, Black Rot Fungus.

A factor which agglutinated the spores of Ceratocystis fimbriata in the presence of Ca(2+) was purified from sweet potato (Ipomea batatas Lam cv. Norin[1]) root. Element composition of the purified factor was as follows; analysis found: C (29.8%), H (3.97%), O (65.34%), N (0.81%): calculated for C(43)H(69)O(70)N(1): C (30.02%), H (4.01%), O (65.15%), N (0.81%). The factor was mainly composed of galacturonic acid (53% of dry weight) and contained arabinose, fucose, and unidentified component as minor components. The factor also agglutinated A-, B-, AB-, and O types of human erythrocytes to almost the same degree in the presence of Ca(2+). The differential spore-agglutinating activity of the factor depended on the pH of the assay medium; it agglutinated similarly the germinated spores of sweet potato and coffee strains at pH 7.5 and 5.5, whereas it displayed a distinct differential agglutinating activity at pH 6.5. The factor was assayed for spore-agglutinating activity at pH 6.5, using the germinated and ungerminated spores of seven strains of C. fimbriata; sweet potato, coffee, prune, cacao, oak, taro, and almond strains. The factor agglutinated ungerminated spores of all seven strains similarly, although small differences were observed among strains. On the other hand, a clear differential agglutination was observed among the germinated spores of various strains; sweet potato and almond strains were highly insensitive in comparison with other strains. The growth of the agglutinated spores of C. fimbriata was inhibited. These results are discussed in relation to host-parasite specificity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Substantial increase of malaria in inland areas of eastern French Guiana.

This study includes malaria cases diagnosed by the Parasitology Unit of the Cayenne Hospital (French Guiana) using the same procedure from 1996 to 2003. We provide data for two main rural communities in slightly inland areas of eastern French Guiana (Cacao, Regina) and for Cayenne, the capital of this French department. The frequency of bouts of malaria has been increasing rapidly since mid-2001, in these regions that were virtually considered to be malaria-free. This substantial increase of malaria appears mainly to involve Plasmodium vivax and recent Brazilian immigrants. Other plausible explanations which could account for the observed trend are discussed.

French Guiana↗
PubMed1990

Contact allergy to spices.

A group of 103 patients suspected of contact allergy was tested with the European standard series, wood tars and spices: paprika, cinnamon, laurel, celery seed, nutmeg, curry, black pepper, cloves, white pepper, coriander, cacao and garlic. 32 patients (Group I) were selected on the basis of positive tests to one or more of possible indicators for allergy to spices: colophony, balsam of Peru, fragrance-mix and/or wood tars. 71 patients (Group II) showed no response to these indicators. In Group I (n = 32) a statistically significantly higher % of patients (47%) showed positive reactions to 1 or more spices, compared with 15% in Group II (N = 71). Among the spices, the highest numbers of reactions were found to nutmeg (28%), paprika (19%) and cloves (12%) in the indicator-positive Group I. Fragrance-mix turned out to be a particularly important indicator allergen, especially for paprika, nutmeg and cloves. The contact allergy in 11 out of 32 (Group I) and 7 out of 25 patch-tested patients (recruited from Group II) appeared to be directed mainly against the ether-extractable volatile fractions of the spices.

Condiments↗
PubMed2006

Clovamide-type phenylpropenoic acid amides, N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine, inhibit platelet-leukocyte interactions via suppressing P-selectin expression.

N-Coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine are clovamide-type phenylpropenoic acid amides found in Theobroma cacao. In this article, N-coumaroyldopamine and N-caffeoyldopamine were investigated to determine their effects on P-selectin expression and platelet-leukocyte interactions in vitro and in vivo models. At the concentration of 0.05 microM, they were able to inhibit P-selectin expression on the platelets by 33 (P < 0.011) and 30% (P < 0.012), respectively. The inhibition was partially blocked by beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists, suggesting that beta(2) receptors are probably engaged in the inhibition. N-Caffeoyldopamine and N-coumaroyldopamine could also suppress platelet-leukocyte interactions in blood samples by 36 (P < 0.013) and 32% (P < 0.011), respectively, at the same concentration (0.05 microM). In an animal study, mice administrated orally with N-caffeoyldopamine (50 and 100 microg/35 g of body weight) also showed great reduction in the P-selectin expression and platelet-leukocyte interactions by 31 to 45% (P < 0.011) and 34 to 43% (P < 0.014), respectively. These data suggest that the clovamide-type phenylpropenoic acid amides are able to suppress platelet-leukocyte interactions via inhibiting P-selectin expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Identification of Phytophthora citrophthora with Cloned DNA Probes.

Two different DNA fragments, one of 2.9 kilobases and the other of 5.1 kilobases, were cloned from Phytophthora citrophthora and showed no homology with DNA from plants and other related fungi. These DNA probes hybridized with DNA from 12 different P. citrophthora isolates obtained from a variety of hosts but did not hybridize with DNA from 6 P. citrophthora isolates obtained from cacao. Southern blot analysis revealed that the probes contained repetitive DNA, and restriction fragment length polymorphisms were identified among several P. citrophthora isolates. Of the isolates tested, two major groups were observed whose genetic similarity correlated with geographical distribution. One of the DNA probes was used to detect P. citrophthora growing from infected citrus roots incubated on semiselective medium. P. citrophthora was not detected by a hybridization assay of total DNA extracted directly from infected roots.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Survival of lactic acid bacteria in simulated gastrointestinal juice protected by a DNA-based complex gel.

Salmon milt DNA was utilized in the approach to protect functional materials, proteins, microorganisms, drugs, etc., by forming a DNA-based complex gel with gelatin and kappa-carrageenan. The multiplier effect of the combination of DNA, gelatin and kappa-carrageenan was examined by measuring the release of methyl orange from the gel after being incubated in simulated gastric juice. The results indicated that the hydrogel made of DNA, gelatin and kappa-carrageenan can efficiently maintain the functional materials. Furthermore, a complex gel was developed and optimized by applying an emulsion of lactic acid bacteria and cacao oil onto the already prepared hydrogel. The existence of the lactic acid bacteria in the oil emulsion particles was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The protection capabilities in the simulated gastrointestinal juice, which had a viability of 1.50 x 10(6) CFU/g gel after 2 h incubation in the simulated gastric juice and 2.53 x 10(7) CFU/g gel after 6 h continued incubation in the simulated intestinal juice, were measured, in contrast to 2.58 x 10(7) CPU/g in the original gel before treatment.

Carrageenan↗
PubMed1983

A comparative study of the therapeutic effect of dithranol cream 0.1% and 0.25% with that of dithranol stylus 0.1% and 0.2% in the treatment of psoriasis.

In Dithranol cream the oily phase is emulsified with an aqueous phase to make the preparation more convenient to apply. The cream also contains ascorbic acid as an antioxidant, which protects dithranol against atmospheric oxidation, thus increasing its stability. A stylus containing dithranol, ol. cacao, paraffin and vaselinum has been used as a comparative drug. The stylus is routinely used in this clinic. Sixty patients with stable psoriasis were pre-assigned into two treatment groups, receiving at random Dithranol cream 0.1%, 0.25% and Dithranol stylus 0.1%, 0.2%, respectively. Both groups started their treatment with the 0.1% preparation once a day for 2 weeks followed by the 0.2% or 0.25% preparations once a day for another 2 weeks. The following laboratory tests: Hb, WBC, Diff, S-ALAT, S-ASAT and S-creatinine were recorded before and after treatment. Staining of clothes was none to slight in 70% (21/30) of the patients using Dithranol stylus 0.2%, and 80% (24/30) in the patients using Dithranol cream 0.25%. The sensation of burning was none to slight in 83% (25/30) of the patients and skin discolouration was none to slight in approximately 80% (24/30) of the patients using the Dithranol stylus 0.2% and Dithranol cream 0.25% preparations. Both groups showed significant improvement in all effect-variables after 2 and 4 weeks' treatment compared to initial. The results are over all better after 4 weeks' treatment than after 2. No abnormal values due to dithranol treatment could be found in the laboratory tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Chocolate and prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of chocolate has been often hypothesized to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to chocolate's high levels of stearic acid and antioxidant flavonoids. However, debate still lingers regarding the true long term beneficial cardiovascular effects of chocolate overall. METHODS: We reviewed English-language MEDLINE publications from 1966 through January 2005 for experimental, observational, and clinical studies of relations between cocoa, cacao, chocolate, stearic acid, flavonoids (including flavonols, flavanols, catechins, epicatechins, and procynadins) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke). A total of 136 publications were selected based on relevance, and quality of design and methods. An updated meta-analysis of flavonoid intake and CHD mortality was also conducted. RESULTS: The body of short-term randomized feeding trials suggests cocoa and chocolate may exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk via effects on lowering blood pressure, anti-inflammation, anti-platelet function, higher HDL, decreased LDL oxidation. Additionally, a large body of trials of stearic acid suggests it is indeed cholesterol-neutral. However, epidemiologic studies of serum and dietary stearic acid are inconclusive due to many methodologic limitations. Meanwhile, the large body of prospective studies of flavonoids suggests the flavonoid content of chocolate may reduce risk of cardiovascular mortality. Our updated meta-analysis indicates that intake of flavonoids may lower risk of CHD mortality, RR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71-0.92) comparing highest and lowest tertiles. CONCLUSION: Multiple lines of evidence from laboratory experiments and randomized trials suggest stearic acid may be neutral, while flavonoids are likely protective against CHD mortality. The highest priority now is to conduct larger randomized trials to definitively investigate the impact of chocolate consumption on long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: This paper is based on ethnobotanical interviews conducted from 1996-2000 in Trinidad and Tobago with thirty male and female respondents. METHODS: A non-experimental validation was conducted on the plants used for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus: This is a preliminary step to establish that the plants used are safe or effective, to help direct clinical trials, and to inform Caribbean physicians of the plants' known properties to avoid counter-prescribing. RESULTS: The following plants are used to treat diabetes: Antigonon leptopus, Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bixa orellana, Bontia daphnoides, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cocos nucifera, Gomphrena globosa, Laportea aestuans, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Phyllanthus urinaria and Spiranthes acaulis. Apium graviolens is used as a heart tonic and for low blood pressure. Bixa orellana, Bontia daphnoides, Cuscuta americana and Gomphrena globosa are used for jaundice. The following plants are used for hypertension: Aloe vera, Annona muricata, Artocarpus altilis, Bixa orellana, Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bonta daphnoides, Carica papaya, Cecropia peltata, Citrus paradisi, Cola nitida, Crescentia cujete, Gomphrena globosa, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Kalanchoe pinnata, Morus alba, Nopalea cochinellifera, Ocimum campechianum, Passiflora quadrangularis, Persea americana and Tamarindus indicus. The plants used for kidney problems are Theobroma cacao, Chamaesyce hirta, Flemingia strobilifera, Peperomia rotundifolia, Petiveria alliacea, Nopalea cochinellifera, Apium graveolens, Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica, Gomphrena globosa, Pityrogramma calomelanos and Vetiveria zizanioides. Plants are also used for gall stones and for cooling. CONCLUSION: Chamaesyce hirta, Cissus verticillata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Peperomia spp., Portulaca oleraceae, Scoparia dulcis, and Zea mays have sufficient evidence to support their traditional use for urinary problems, "cooling" and high cholesterol. Eggplant extract as a hypocholesterolemic agent has some support but needs more study. The plants used for hypertension, jaundice and diabetes that may be safe and justify more formal evaluation are Annona squamosa, Aloe vera, Apium graveolens, Bidens alba, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cecropia peltata, Citrus paradisi, Hibsicus sabdariffa, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Persea americana, Phyllanthus urinaria, Tamarindus indicus and Tournefortia hirsutissima. Several of the plants are used for more than one condition and further trials should take this into account.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1996

Effect of natural food colorings on immunoglobulin production in vitro by rat spleen lymphocytes.

Water-soluble (cacao pigment, cochineal pigment, corn pigment, betanin, carthamus yellow, and monascus pigment) and water-insoluble (gardenia yellow, laccaic acid, bixin, and curcumin) natural colorings inhibited IgE production by rat spleen lymphocytes at 10 and microM, respectively. Although many of these colorings only inhibited the production of IgG and IgM at high concentrations, the water-insoluble colorings enhanced IgM production even at 1 microM. These results suggest that natural colorings have immunoglobulin production-regulating activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Primary structure of 6.5k-arginine/glutamate-rich polypeptide from the seeds of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica).

The amino acid sequence of 6.5k-arginine/glutamate rich polypeptide (6.5k-AGRP) from the seeds of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) has been determined. The 6.5k-AGRP consists of a 47-residue polypeptide chain containing two disulfide bonds, and a molecular mass calculated to be 5695 Da, which fully coincides with a value of [M+H]+ = m/zeta 5693.39 obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The mass spectrometric evidence indicated that 6.5k-AGRP is also present partially truncated at the C-terminus. In our preparations, approximately half of the polypeptide molecules have the C-terminal sequence Arg-Arg-Glu-Val-Asp; the other half lack Val-Asp and end with the glutamic acid, making a total of 45 residues in the polypeptide chain. The two disulfide bonds connect Cys12 to Cys33 and Cys16 to Cys29. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of 6.5k-AGRP with those of the other known proteins included in the PIR protein sequence database showed that it is related to the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region encoded by the first exon of the cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and cotton seeds vicilin genes, sharing a characteristic two Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys motif.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological characteristics of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic region of the State of Bahia. III. Phlebotomine fauna].

The phlebotomine fauna is highly varied in Três Braços, an endemic area of american cutaneous leishmaniasis, situated in the cacao growing region in the southeast of Bahia State, Brazil. Thirty spécies of the Lutzomyia genus were identified in 13,535 specimens collected between 1976 and 1984. Lutzomyia whitmani was the dominant species accounting for 99% of flies in the peridomicile and 97.5% of those caught in homes. In the forest the predominant species were Lu. ayrozai and Lu. yuilli. Lu. whitmani accounted for only 1.0% of the specimens examined. Lu. flaviscutellata, the proven vector of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis, was also collected in small numbers. Lu. wellcomei, a known vector of L. braziliensis braziliensis in the Serra dos Carajás, Pará, Brazil was not encountered in the Três Braços region where the parasite causing human infections is usually L.b. braziliensis. Although we have not encountered a natural infection with leishmanial promastigotes in 1,832 females of the various species examined, we discuss the probability that Lu. whitmani is the vector of L.b. braziliensis in the region maintaining transmission in dogs and man.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology and control of leishmaniasis in Andean countries.

This paper reviews the current knowledge of leishmaniasis epidemiology in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In all 5 countries leishmaniasis is endemic in both the Andean highlands and the Amazon basin. The sandfly vectors belong to subgenera Helcocyrtomyia, Nyssomiya, Lutzomyia, and Psychodopygus, and the Verrucarum group. Most human infections are caused by Leishmania in the Viannia subgenus. Human Leishmania infections cause cutaneous lesions, with a minority of L. (Viannia) infections leading to mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis are both rare. In each country a significant proportion of Leishmania transmission is in or around houses, often close to coffee or cacao plantations. Reservoir hosts for domestic transmission cycles are uncertain. The paper first addresses the burden of disease caused by leishmaniasis, focusing on both incidence rates and on the variability in symptoms. Such information should provide a rational basis for prioritizing control resources, and for selecting therapy regimes. Secondly, we describe the variation in transmission ecology, outlining those variables which might affect the prevention strategies. Finally, we look at the current control strategies and review the recent studies on control.

Animals↗