An unusual case of Plasmodium vivax malaria monoinfection associated with crescentic glomerulonephritis: a need for vigilance

Plasmodium vivax infection is increasingly a major public health burden and the second most frequent human malaria. Higher levels of clinical severity and chloroquine resistance are major factors responsible for such increases. Malarial glomerular injury is uncommon and mainly observed in Plasmodium malariae-infected patients. Occasionally, transient immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis is associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection. Coexistent crescentic glomerulonephritis and vivax malaria have not previously been reported. We report a fatal case of P. vivax malaria, who presented with acute renal failure. P. vivax monoinfection status was diagnosed with peripheral blood smear and rapid antigen test. Further evaluation for renal failure related to systemic illness and immunological markers were inconclusive. He was treated with antimalarial drugs, hemodialysis, and supportive therapy. Renal biopsy performed for nonrecovering renal failure reveled crescentic glomerulonephritis. This case highlights the need to thoroughly search for malaria-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis using renal biopsy after nonrecovering renal failure.     

Levels of Interleukin‐18 and Endothelin‐1 in Children with Henoch‐Schönlein Purpura: A Study from Northern India

Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an acute systemic vasculitis with unknown etiology, although several studies have found HSP to be related to cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)‐1, and adhesion molecules. In the present study we determined the levels of cytokines such as IL‐18 and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in children with HSP. Subjects were divided into three groups (group 1, 20 subjects with HSP; group 2, 10 subjects belonging to group 1 during their follow‐up 4 to 6 months later; and group 3, 16 controls who were healthy siblings of the subjects). IL‐18 and ET‐1 levels were determined using enzyme immunoassay and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. We observed higher IL‐18 levels in children with HSP (767.6 ± 145.1 pg/mL) than in controls (614.6 ± 66.54 pg/mL, p > 0.05), but IL‐18 levels were found to be significantly lower in subjects with HSP in remission (502.7 ± 60.81 pg/mL) than in those who were in an active phase (1,050 ± 244.5 pg/mL, p < 0.05, n = 10). ET‐1 levels were found to be significantly higher in subjects with HSP (1.93 ± 0.19 pg/mL) than in controls (1.10 ± 0.13 pg/mL, p < 0.05), although no significant difference was observed in ET‐1 levels between subjects in group 1 (1.88 ± 0.30 pg/mL) and group 2 (1.91 ± 0.120, p > 0.05, n = 10). A positive correlation was observed between IL‐18 and ET‐1 levels in subjects with HSP (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.5254, p < 0.01). These results suggest that levels of IL‐18 and ET‐1 are worth monitoring during the clinical course of the disease, but caution must be exercised in extrapolating data based on small study samples.     

DISC1: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential for Major Mental Illness

Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is well established as a genetic risk factor across a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, a role supported by a growing body of biological studies, making the DISC1 protein interaction network an attractive therapeutic target. By contrast, there is a relative deficit of structural information to relate to the myriad biological functions of DISC1. Here, we critically appraise the available bioinformatics and biochemical analyses on DISC1 and key interacting proteins, and integrate this with the genetic and biological data. We review, analyze, and make predictions regarding the secondary structure and propensity for disordered regions within DISC1, its protein-interaction domains, subcellular localization motifs, and the structural and functional implications of common and ultrarare DISC1 variants associated with major mental illness. We discuss signaling pathways of high pharmacological potential wherein DISC1 participates, including those involving phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). These predictions and priority areas can inform future research in the translational and potentially guide the therapeutic processes.     

A case control study of sexual dysfunction in asian and non-asian couples 1981–1985

Thirty-one Asian clients referred to a well-established sexual dysfunction clinic between 1981 and 1985 were matched for age and sex with 31 non-Asian clients referred in the same period. These two groups were compared on a number of characteristics including type of presenting problem, marital status, referral source and therapy outcome. The findings are discussed in the light of differing sexual mores between the two cultures.     

Influence of human leukocyte antigen class II alleles on susceptibility to Entamoeba histolytica infection in Bangladeshi children

BACKGROUND: The association of antibody responses with both innate and acquired immunity to amebiasis indicate that CD4+ T cells play a role in protection against Entamoeba histolytica infection. To test this hypothesis, we compared the genotype frequencies of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles in a cohort of Bangladeshi children intensively monitored for E. histolytica infection for a 3-year period. METHODS: Using logistic regression, we calculated the odds of disease by genotype and by haplotype. RESULTS: The DQB1*0601 heterozygous and homozygous genotypes were found in 55% of E. histolytica-negative children but in only 34% of E. histolytica-positive children (overall odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-4.54). Children who were heterozygous for the DQB1*0601/DRB1*1501 haplotype were 10.1 times (95% CI, 2.02-50.6) more likely to be both E. histolytica negative and serum anti-lectin immunoglobulin G negative at baseline. Other DQB1 and DRB1 alleles (DQB1*0202, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0701) were not associated with any of the clinical outcomes related to amebiasis. CONCLUSION: A potential protective association was observed with the HLA class II allele DQB1*0601 and the heterozygous haplotype DQB1*0601/DRB1*1501. This association may explain why amebiasis does not occur in some children who are exposed to the parasite and implicates HLA class II-restricted immune responses in protection against E. histolytica infection.     

Structural,thermal, and transport properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles synthesized via the sol–gel auto-combustion technique

Herein, rare-earth manganite, La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃, has been prepared by a citric acid-assisted sol–gel auto-combustion method at a maintained pH value of 11. Room-temperature X-ray diffraction (RT-XRD) data analysis revealed a rhombohedral structure for the sample with the space group R3c, which was further confirmed by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD). Rietveld refinement was carried out for both spectra, which confirmed the SR-XRD and RT-XRD results and the various structural parameters. To determine any of the phase transitions in the sample, temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction corresponding to the temperatures of 100 K, 200 K, 250 K, and 325 K was carried out, and no new phase was found. Temperature-dependent Raman characterization confirmed the metallic phase of the sample with the reduced Jahn–Teller distortion. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the growth in the grain size as a result of a high sintering temperature. Compositional verification was conducted using energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray diffraction (EDAX). Low-temperature dc resistivity measurement showed a metal-insulator transition temperature (T_MI) of ≈178 K. The DSC-specific heat measurement shows the ferromagnetic metallic nature where heat capacity increases with an increase in temperature.

Herein, rare-earth manganite, La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃, has been prepared by a citric acid-assisted sol–gel auto-combustion method at a maintained pH value of 11.     

POLLAR: Impact of air POLLution on Asthma and Rhinitis; a European Institute of Innovation and Technology Health (EIT Health) project

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is impacted by allergens and air pollution but interactions between air pollution, sleep and allergic diseases are insufficiently understood. POLLAR (Impact of air POLLution on sleep, Asthma and Rhinitis) is a project of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Health). It will use a freely-existing application for AR monitoring that has been tested in 23 countries (the Allergy Diary, iOS and Android, 17,000 users, TLR8). The Allergy Diary will be combined with a new tool allowing queries on allergen, pollen (TLR2), sleep quality and disorders (TRL2) as well as existing longitudinal and geolocalized pollution data. Machine learning will be used to assess the relationship between air pollution, sleep and AR comparing polluted and non-polluted areas in 6 EU countries. Data generated in 2018 will be confirmed in 2019 and extended by the individual prospective assessment of pollution (portable sensor, TLR7) in AR. Sleep apnea patients will be used as a demonstrator of sleep disorder that can be modulated in terms of symptoms and severity by air pollution and AR. The geographic information system GIS will map the results. Consequences on quality of life (EQ-5D), asthma, school, work and sleep will be monitored and disseminated towards the population. The impacts of POLLAR will be (1) to propose novel care pathways integrating pollution, sleep and patients’ literacy, (2) to study sleep consequences of pollution and its impact on frequent chronic diseases, (3) to improve work productivity, (4) to propose the basis for a sentinel network at the EU level for pollution and allergy, (5) to assess the societal implications of the interaction. MASK paper N°32.