Enolase 1 of Candida albicans binds human CD4+ T cells and modulates naïve and memory responses

To obtain a better understanding of the biology behind life-threatening fungal infections caused by Candida albicans, we recently conducted an in silico screening for fungal and host protein interaction partners. We report here that the extracellular domain of human CD4 binds to the moonlighting protein enolase 1 (Eno1) of C. albicans as predicted bioinformatically. By using different anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies, we determined that C. albicans Eno1 (CaEno1) primarily binds to the extracellular domain 3 of CD4. Functionally, we observed that CaEno1 binding to CD4 activated lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK), which was also the case for anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies tested in parallel. CaEno1 binding to naïve human CD4⁺ T cells skewed cytokine secretion toward a Th2 profile indicative of poor fungal control. Moreover, CaEno1 inhibited human memory CD4⁺ T-cell recall responses. Therapeutically, CD4⁺ T cells transduced with a p41/Crf1-specific T-cell receptor developed for adoptive T-cell therapy were not inhibited by CaEno1 in vitro. Together, the interaction of human CD4⁺ T cells with CaEno1 modulated host CD4⁺ T-cell responses in favor of the fungus. Thus, CaEno1 mediates not only immune evasion through its interference with complement regulators but also through the direct modulation of CD4⁺ T-cell responses.     

Association of Ultrasound-Derived Metrics of the Quadriceps Muscle with Protein Energy Wasting in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to assess muscle wasting and risk of protein energy wasting (PEW) in hemodialysis (HD) patients using an ultrasound (US) imaging method. PEW was identified using the ISRNM criteria in 351 HD patients. Quadriceps muscle thickness of rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the RF muscle (RF_CSA) were measured using US and compared with other physical measures. Associations of US indices with PEW were determined by logistic regression. Irrespective of gender, PEW vs. non-PEW patients had smaller RF, VI muscles, and RF_CSA (all p < 0.001). US muscle sites (all p < 0.001) discriminated PEW from non-PEW patients, but the RF_CSA compared to bio-impedance spectroscopy had a greater area under the curve (AUC, 0.686 vs. 0.581), sensitivity (72.8% vs. 65.8%), and specificity (55.6% vs. 53.9%). AUC of the RF_CSA was greatest for PEW risk in men (0.74, 95% CI: 0.66–0.82) and women (0.80, 95% CI: 0.70–0.90) (both p < 0.001). Gender-specific RF_CSA values (men < 6.00 cm²; women < 4.47 cm²) indicated HD patients with smaller RF_CSA were 8 times more likely to have PEW (AOR = 8.63, 95% CI: 4.80–15.50, p < 0.001). The US approach enabled discrimination of muscle wasting in HD patients with PEW. The RF_CSA was identified as the best US site with gender-specific RF_CSA values to associate with PEW risk, suggesting potential diagnostic criteria for muscle wasting.     

Assessing the Validity of Western Measurement of Online Risks to Children in an Asian Context

Before the advent of the Internet, television and film was the only audio-visual medium to which most children were exposed. The risks were primarily limited to children being exposed to sexual and violent materials, the nature of which were known and easy to control. Nowadays, children are surrounded by a variety of digital media and are exposed to different risks, many of which are still unknown. The Internet is fully integrated into children’s daily lives, along with the potential risks. The present study aimed to (i) describe the level of risks children are exposed to, and (ii) test the measurement validity of a total of 45 items assessing nine scales of online risk to children that were adapted from studies carried out in Europe and the United States. The study comprised 420 schoolchildren. The results showed that children were more exposed to ‘unwanted exposure to pornography’ and less to ‘conduct risk’ (e.g., accidental illegal downloading; creating profiles on inappropriate websites). Boys and older children were more exposed to the risks compared to girls and younger children. The study validated five dimensions (inappropriate materials, sexting, contact-related risks, risky online sexual behavior, and bullying/being bullied) assessing online risk to children by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The study found that scales developed in Europe and the United States are not wholly suitable to an Asian context and needed to be modified. Further investigation to classify online risks to children and offer a solutions to reducing the online risks.     

Macrophage Activation Syndrome-Associated Markers in Severe Dengue

Hemophagocytosis, a phenomenon of which activated macrophages phagocytosed hematopoietic elements was reportedly observed in severe dengue patients. In the present study, we investigated whether markers of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) can be used as differential diagnostic markers of severe dengue. Two hundred and eight confirmed dengue patients were recruited for the study. Sandwich ELISA was used to determine serum ferritin, soluble CD163 (sCD163), and soluble CD25 (sCD25) levels. The population of circulating CD163 (mCD163) monocytes was determined using flow cytometry. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was plotted to determine the predictive validity of the biomarkers. Serum ferritin and sCD163 were found significantly increased in severe dengue patients compared to dengue fever patients (P = 0.003). A fair area under ROC curves (AUC) at 0.72 with a significant P value of 0.004 was observed for sCD163. sCD25 and mCD163 levels were not significantly different between severe dengue and dengue fever patients. Our findings suggest that in addition to serum ferritin, sCD163 can differentiate severe dengue from that of dengue fever patients. Hence, sCD163 level can be considered for use as a predictive marker for impending severe dengue.     

Effect of some commonly used pesticides on seed germination,biomass production and photosynthetic pigments in tomato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopersicon esculentum</Emphasis>)

Pesticides are highly toxic substances. Their toxicity may not be absolutely specific to the target organisms but can adversely affect different processes in the non-target host plants. In the present study, the effect of over application of four commonly used pesticides (emamectin benzoate, alpha-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid) was evaluated on the germination, seedling vigor and photosynthetic pigments in tomato. The obtained results revealed that seed germination was decreased by the pesticides and this effect was more prominent at early stages of exposure. All the tested pesticides reduced the growth of tomato when applied in higher concentration than the recommended dose, but at lower doses the pesticides had some stimulatory effects on growth as compared to the control. A similar effect of pesticides was observed on the photosynthetic pigments, i.e. a decrease in pigments concentrations was caused at higher doses but an increase was observed at lower doses of pesticides. The calculation of EC₅₀ values for different parameters revealed the lowest EC₅₀ values for emamectin (ranged as 51–181 mg/L) followed by alpha-cypermethrin (191.74–374.39), lambda-cyhalothrin (102.43–354.28) and imidacloprid (430.29–1979.66 mg/L). A comparison of the obtained EC₅₀ values for different parameters of tomato with the recommended doses revealed that over application of these pesticides can be harmful to tomato crop. In a few cases these pesticides were found toxic even at the recommended doses. However, a field based study in this regard should be conducted to further verify these results.     

A simple manganous chloride and Congo red disc method for differentiating Neisseria gonorrhoeae from Neisseria meningitidis.

Manganous chloride and Congo red incorporated into blotting paper discs have been used to differentiate gonococci from meningococci. The new technique is simple and reliable; the materials for the test are inexpensive. The method will increase the efficiency of distinguishing between the pathogenic Neisseria in any clinical bacteriology laboratory and especially in those in the tropical areas.     

Adenocarcinoma arising in female urethral diverticulum

Cancer arising from a female urethral diverticulum is rare, and because of its rarity, a review of the medical literature reveals significant nonuniformity in its management. We report an additional 2 cases of this disease, one of which has an even rarer feature of being mucin-producing. The management of our 2 cases is presented in detail and in line with the management of female urethral cancer. From our extensive literature search, diverticulectomy alone showed poor results with the highest rate of recurrence (67%). Extensive surgery, either in the form of cystourethrectomy or anterior exenteration, offered results comparable with those of combined therapy (diverticulectomy and full course of irradiation for early cases; preoperative irradiation followed by cystourethrectomy for late cases). Individualization of radiation treatment and cooperative effort between urologist and radiation oncologist are essential if best results are to be achieved.