○X40L在慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血单核细胞表达水平变化的临床意义

目的 研究慢性丙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis C,CHC)患者的OX40L分子表达特点及其临床意义.方法 采用流式细胞仪对35例CHC患者和30例健康对照者外周血单核细胞表面OX40L的表达情况进行了调查,并进一步分析了OX40L表达水平与患者临床指标的关系.结果 与健康对照者相比,CHC患者外周血单核细...     

Linkage and candidate gene studies of autism spectrum disorders in European populations

Over the past decade, research on the genetic variants underlying susceptibility to autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has focused on linkage and candidate gene studies. This research has implicated various chromosomal loci and genes. Candidate gene studies have proven to be particularly intractable, with many studies failing to replicate previously reported associations. In this paper, we investigate previously implicated genomic regions for a role in ASD susceptibility, using four cohorts of European ancestry. Initially, a 384 SNP Illumina GoldenGate array was used to examine linkage at six previously implicated loci. We identify linkage approaching genome-wide suggestive levels on chromosome 2 (rs2885116, MLOD=1.89). Association analysis showed significant associations in MKL2 with ASD (rs756472, P=4.31 × 10⁻⁵) and between SND1 and strict autism (rs1881084, P=7.76 × 10⁻⁵) in the Finnish and Northern Dutch populations, respectively. Subsequently, we used a second 384 SNP Illumina GoldenGate array to examine the association in seven candidate genes, and evidence for association was found in RELN (rs362780, P=0.00165). Further increasing the sample size strengthened the association with RELN (rs362780, P=0.001) and produced a second significant result in GRIK2 (rs2518261, P=0.008). Our results strengthen the case for a more detailed study of the role of RELN and GRIK2 in autism susceptibility, as well as identifying two new potential candidate genes, MKL2 and SND1.     

An ethnobotanical study of antimalarial plants in Togo Maritime Region

Background

: Malaria continues to be of great concern in Togo, as it accounts for high mortality rates, principally in children. Although plant-based medicines are the only means in major malarious regions of the country, still very little is known about the medicinal plants and medical practices of the indigenous people.

Objective

: The present study aimed to document the indigenous medicinal plant utilization for the management of malaria and related symptoms in Togo Maritime Region.

Methodology

Fifty Traditional Healers (TH) were selected with the help leaders of Togolese Traditional Healers Associations and information on their knowledge on the use of plants for malaria therapeutic purposes was gathered using a semi-structured interviews.

Results

After enquiries, 52 plant species belonging to 49 genera and 29 families were recorded. The most represented families were Rubiaceae and Rutaceae with four species each. Traditional healers agreed more in the treatment of malaria (ICF = 0.70), fever (ICF = 0.33) and anemia (ICF = 0.20). For the treatment of malaria, 38.46% (20/52) of the species cited in the study were of high fidelity level (FL = 100%). The leaves (58.22%), leafy stem (33.78%) and fruits (8.52%) were the most used parts in concoctions. The main mode of preparation was decoction (69%) and the administration was essentially by oral route (79%) and body-bath (14%).

Conclusion

The issue of the study showed that Togo Maritime Region TH have a good knowledge of antimalarial plants. However the study must be extend to the whole country to lead to innovative strategies in malaria control. Such results could be a starting point for in vitro antimalarial screenings.     

Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic seed extract of Picralima nitida

The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol seed extract of Picralima nitida grown particularly for the leaf and seed in Niger Delta region of Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice. Picralima nitida (35-115 mg/kg day) exhibited significant (P<0.05) blood schizonticidal activity both in 4-day early infection test and in established infection with a considerable mean survival time though not comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg day. The seed extract possesses significant (P<0.05) antiplasmodial activity which correlate with it reported in vitro activity.     

Female genital mutilation: potential for HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa and prospect for epidemiologic investigation and intervention

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which involves alteration of the female genitalia for non-medical grounds is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, associated with long-term genitourinary complications, and possible HIV transmission. This mini-review aims to examine FGM and the possibility of HIV transmission through this procedure. We performed an electronic search using Medline for articles published between 1966 to 2006 for evidence of FGM practice, its complications, and the nexus between this procedure and HIV sero-positivity. The results indicate ongoing FGM practice, albeit prevalence reduction, due probably to the increasing knowledge of the consequences of FGM as a result of non-sterile techniques. Secondly, the complications of FGM are well established which include Genitourinary disorders. Further, while data is limited on HIV transmission via FGM, there is biologic plausibility in suggesting that FGM may be associated with increasing prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper recommends further studies in order to assess the association between FGM and HIV transmission.     

Helicobacter pylori‐negative extra‐nodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma of Mucosa‐Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) type following Roux‐en‐Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

Gastric MALT lymphoma is a common type of non‐Hodgkin''s lymphoma that has the potential for cure in patients found to have concomitant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This case report explores the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of H. pylori‐negative MALT lymphoma in a patient with a history of a RYGB.