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BSTRACTS

.1.30

ass spectrometry in the elucidation of lead structuresor S-myloid-specific vaccine development

. Przybylski

Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Biopolymertructure Analysis, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany

he accumulation of extracellular plaques containing the neu-otoxic �-amyloid peptide fragment, A�(1—42) of �-amyloidrecursor protein (�APP), is one of the characteristics oflzheimer’s disease (AD). Although �APP has been recogniseds a key molecule for AD, its molecular (patho)physiologicalegradation, proteolytic pathways, and the cellular interactionsf A� are still unclear. Recent studies towards the developmentf immuno-therapeutic methods for AD have yielded initial suc-ess in transgenic mouse models of AD, in producing therapeuticntibodies by immunisation with A�(1—42), that disaggregate�-plaques and -fibrils. However a first clinical trial with ADatients was discontinued due to neurotoxic side effects. Usingroteolytic excision of the immobilised A�-antigen—immuneomplex in combination with high resolution mass spectrome-ry, the A�-plaque-specific epitope was identified at the N-terminalesidues A�(4—10), which are accessible in A�(1—42) as well as inligomeric A�-fibrils. Based on these results, we have identified thepitope recognised by A�-autoantibodies in serum, capable of elic-ting a protective effect to inhibit the formation of A�-plaques. Thispitope, located on the A�(21—37) sequence, was subsequentlydentified as the molecular basis for the A�-oligomer-specific neu-otoxic response of A�-autoantibodies. The differential epitopetructure determination of A�-specific antibodies from healthyon-AD individuals and AD patients provides a breakthrough in

i), the development of new immuno-therapeutic approaches byassive immunisation with A�-specific antibodies, and (ii) theevelopment of new molecular diagnostic tools for AD with abso-

ute specificity. Detailed conformational and structural propertiesf (i), the serum A�-autoantibodies and (ii) the plaque-protective�-epitope and of synthetic epitope peptides have been deter-ined, using affinity-mass spectrometry methods.

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.035

.1.31

enotypic and phenotypic characterization of Staphylo-occus aureus in children from Northern Portugal

. Silva ∗ , H. Smicht, N. Lôpo, A. Castro, P. Teixeira

CBQF/Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Porto, Portugal

n evaluation of the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus carriagemong healthy preschool children in the Northern region of Por-ugal is important for an understanding of the prevalence of and

iseases caused by, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) to pro-ide better diagnosis and treatment. Nasal swabs were collectedrom three- to six-year-old healthy children who were attend-ng kindergarten. Of the 283 children, 135 S. aureus strains were

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14 www.elsevier.com/locate/nbt

New Biotechnology · Volume 25S · September 2009

dentified, from which 15 were MRSA. Antimicrobial suscepti-ility testing revealed that all tested strains were sensitive toancomycin, and susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol,rythromycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, oxacillin, penicillin,ifampicin and tetracycline were determined to be 84.4, 2.2, 73.3,.5, 19, 6.7, 91.1, 2.2 and 34%, respectively. These results show thathe carriage of MRSA in healthy preschool children exists withouthe typical risk factors and that continuing surveillance and devel-pment of new methods for identifying and diagnosing MRSA areeeded.

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.036

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.036

.1.32

ffect of the ethanolic extract of Indigofera barberi (L.)n acute acetaminophen induced nephrotoxic rats

. Palani1,∗ , R.P. Kumar1, B.S. Kumar2

Arunai Engineering College, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaC. Abdul Hakeem College, Tamil Nadu, India

cetaminophen is one of the most effective, over-the-counterhemotherapeutic analgesic—antipyretic agents belonging to theara-aminophenol class of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatoryrugs (NSAIDs). Its acute or chronic high doses are reportedo produce hepatotoxicity, but impairment of renal function bycetaminophen as the main untoward effect is becoming increas-ngly reported. Acetaminophen nephropathy is characterized bylterations in urine volume, in glutathione status, creatinine clear-nce and increase products of lipid peroxidation.

Acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity is a model of acuteenal failure. Therefore, the current study was designed to investi-ate the protective effects of 250—500 mg/kg/day/oral route of thethanolic extract of Indigofera barberi in acute dose (750 mg/kg/oraloute) acetaminophen nephrotoxic adult male Wistar rats for 24ours and 7 days, respectively. Doses of acetaminophen and I.arberi ethanolic extract used for the acute dose models were deter-ined from results of preliminary studies conducted earlier.The entire plants including the flowers of I. barberi has been

ell-known in treating jaundice and renal diseases. The presenttudy designed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of ethanolxtract of whole plant of I. barberi (Linn.) in paracetamol-inducedephrotoxicity of albino rats. The ethanol extract of I. barberi

250 mg and 500 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally onesor 14 days. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rat byadministeringingle dose of paracetamol (750 mg/kg). The degree of nephropro-ective activity was measured by renal functional parameters suchs serum urea (UR), uric acid (UA) and creatinine (CR). The over-ll results of this study suggest that the I. barberi extract could be

igh dose of acetaminophen.

oi:10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.989