Isolation and analysis of partial cDNA sequence coding for superoxide dismutase in Wuchereria bancrofti.

Molecular characterization of Wuchereria bancrofti is essential to develop suitable anti-filarial drugs and vaccines. We describe here isolation, sequence analysis and cloning of a partial cDNA of an enzyme superoxide dismutase from this parasite. The immunoscreening of a lambda zap W. bancrofti microfilarial (Mf) cDNA library with microfilaremic sera had resulted in the isolation of several seroreactive clones including, WbSOD. This clone contained a 309 bp insert and showed significant nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence homologies to the superoxide dismutases of other nematode parasites. The antioxidant property of this enzyme may have important contribution in the defense mechanism of the parasite against host immune response.     

Aspergillus Iris Granuloma: A Case Report with Review of Literature

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of redness, photophobia, and decreased vision in the right eye of a week's duration. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed a cream-colored, irregular elevated inferior iris mass, extending on to the anterior lens surface. Differential diagnoses of a fungal granuloma, a medulloepithelioma, and an amelanotic melanoma were considered. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed through a superior clear corneal incision. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the aqueous humor showed a positive pan fungal genome. Histopathology of the biopsied mass showed a giant cell granuloma with surrounding numerous branching, septate hyphae. Culture growth revealed Aspergillus fumigatus We report this case because of the rarity of Aspergillus iris granuloma as a primary presentation of endogenous Aspergillosis and review the relevant literature. Absence of a significant systemic history compounded the diagnostic dilemma in our patient. Definitive differentiation of this rare entity from a foreign body, amelanotic melanoma, and other inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, may be possible only on microbiological and histo-pathological evaluation.     

Adaptive optics imaging of the retina

Adaptive optics is a relatively new tool that is available to ophthalmologists for study of cellular level details. In addition to the axial resolution provided by the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, adaptive optics provides an excellent lateral resolution, enabling visualization of the photoreceptors, blood vessels and details of the optic nerve head. We attempt a mini review of the current role of adaptive optics in retinal imaging. PubMed search was performed with key words Adaptive optics OR Retina OR Retinal imaging. Conference abstracts were searched from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meetings. In total, 261 relevant publications and 389 conference abstracts were identified.     

Early life predictors of adult leisure-time physical inactivity: prospective findings from the 1958 British Birth Cohort

BackgroundLeisure-time physical inactivity has a high prevalence and associated disease burden. Adult inactivity research ignores earlier life factors from which later life influences can originate. We aimed to establish whether early life factors influence adult inactivity.MethodsThe 1958 British Birth Cohort is a nationwide follow-up study of all births during 1 week in March, 1958. The outcome of the present study was leisure-time inactivity, defined as activity frequency of less than once a week, assessed at ages 33 years, 42 years, and 50 years (n=12 776). Early life factors (birth to 16 years) were categorised into three domains (physical, social, behavioural). We assessed stability of inactivity from 33 years to 50 years and associations with adult inactivity using logistic regression of: factors within domains, the three domains combined (ie, multivariable associations), and allowing for adult factors. Missing values were imputed with multiple imputation chained equations.FindingsAt each adult age, about 32% of participants were inactive (31% at 33 years, 34% at 42 years, and 30% at 50 years). 1189 (9%) were inactive at all three ages. In analysis of the three domains simultaneously, factors related to adult inactivity were: short prepubertal stature, poor hand control or physical coordination, and poor cognition (physical); low class at birth, minimal parental education, poor household amenities, parental divorce, and institutional care (social); and inactivity, average or lower sports aptitude, smoking, and externalising and unsociable behaviours (behavioural). Odds ratios for inactivity at age 33 years ranged from 0·86 per SD increase in cognition (95% CI 0·82–0·91) to 1·41 (1·23–1·61) for average or lower sports aptitude. Associations weakened slightly but were mostly maintained after adjustment for adult covariates. After allowing for adult covariates participants with unskilled manual backgrounds had 23% higher odds of inactivity at 50 years than those from professional or managerial backgrounds.InterpretationOur study, based on self-report, focuses only on leisure-time inactivity. However, to have repeat, prospective data on inactivity spanning several decades in adulthood is rare, and leisure-time inactivity is likely to be amenable to modification. Adult inactivity is only moderately stable, providing opportunities for behaviour change. Factors from early life are associated with adult inactivity, allowing for early identification of groups vulnerable to later inactivity.FundingThis work was supported by the Department of Health Policy Research Programme through the Public Health Research Consortium. The Great Ormond Street and University College London Institute of Child Health was supported in part by the Department of Health's National Institute for Health Biomedical Research Centre.     

The spread of the Leu-Phe kdr mutation through Anopheles gambiae complex in Burkina Faso: genetic introgression and de novo phenomena

During extensive sampling in Burkina Faso and other African countries, the Leu-Phe mutation producing the kdr pyrethroid resistance phenotype was reported in both Anopheles gambiae ss and A. arabiensis. This mutation was widely distributed at high frequency in the molecular S form of A. gambiae while it has been observed at a very low frequency in both the molecular M form and A. arabiensis in Burkina Faso. While the mutation in the M form is inherited through an introgression from the S form, its occurrence is a new and independent mutation event in A. arabiensis. Three nucleotides in the upstream intron of the kdr mutation differentiated A. arabiensis from A. gambiae ss and these specific nucleotides were associated with kdr mutation in A. arabiensis. Ecological divergences which facilitated the spread of the kdr mutation within the complex of A. gambiae ss in West Africa, are discussed.     

Novel CD3Z and CD3E Deficiency in Two Unrelated Females

Journal of Clinical Immunology -     

Vascular endothelial dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy is restored by bradykinin through upregulation of eNOS and nNOS

Little is known about the vascular function and expression of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and nNOS) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Bradykinin is involved in the regulation of eNOS expression induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. We characterized the vascular function and eNOS and nNOS expression in a canine model of DMD and evaluated the effects of chronic bradykinin treatment. Vascular function was examined in conscious golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs with left ventricular dysfunction (measured by echocardiography) and in isolated coronary arteries. eNOS and nNOS proteins in carotid arteries were measured by western blot and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content was analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Compared with controls, GRMD dogs had an impaired vasodilator response to acetylcholine. In isolated coronary artery, acetylcholine-elicited relaxation was nearly absent in placebo-treated GRMD dogs. This was explained by reduced nNOS and eNOS proteins and cGMP content in arterial tissues. Chronic bradykinin infusion (1 μg/min, 4 weeks) restored in vivo and in vitro vascular response to acetylcholine to the level of control dogs. This effect was NO-mediated through upregulation of eNOS and nNOS expression. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate that DMD is associated with NO-mediated vascular endothelial dysfunction linked to an altered expression of eNOS and nNOS, which can be overcome by bradykinin.