The aim of this study was to determine the role of the tumor
necrosis factor like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) as
a serum biomarker of neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic
lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Levels of TWEAK levels were
measured in sera of 92 patients with systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), including 28 patients with neuropsychiatric
lupus, and in 59 healthy controls using ELISA. All SLE patients
underwent rheumatological, neurological and psychiatric
assessments. We found no significant differences in TWEAK
levels, between SLE patients and the healthy controls
(p=0.2411). Similarly, no difference was observed between the
subgroup of NPSLE and healthy controls (p=0.7658). The mean
SLE disease activity (SLEDAI) was 13.25. No correlations
between TWEAK levels with disease activity (SLEDAI, r=0.2113,
p= 0.2805) or the most common NPSLE manifestations such as
headache (r=0.2079), seizures (r=0.1101), cerebrovascular
disease (r=- 0.2347), cognitive dysfunction (r=0.1597) and
anxiety (r=0.1397) were observed. Our data do not support the
use of serum TWEAK as a discriminating biomarker for NPSLE.
The role of the TWEAK in NPSLE remains to be investigated.
The European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, is recognised as a flagship species for biodiversity conservation. Although the species is widely distributed across Europe declines have led to it being granted protected or endangered status in a number of countries and regarded as "near threatened" by the IUCN. The integration of genetic approaches into conservation efforts is urgently needed but has been impeded to date by the lack of appropriate genetic markers. To provide such a resource the development of the first microsatellite loci for stag beetle is described. Loci were identified using two methods (i) enriched library cloning (ELC) and (ii) Restriction enzyme Associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq). Inefficient microsatellite detection using the ELC method suggests that RAD-Seq, or other Next Generation Sequencing based methods, may ultimately be more cost effective for obtaining informative suites of markers for this and other coleopteran species. 18 loci were characterised by genotyping 42 UK specimens collected as prey leftover/roadkill. All loci produced unambiguous genotypes and were polymorphic. Though preliminary, estimates of genetic variability suggest UK populations may be genetically depauperate. The microsatellite loci represent a suite of genetic markers that can be applied to non-invasive population monitoring and numerous other areas of Lucanus conservation and evolutionary research., Niall J. McKeown, Deborah J. Harvey, Amy J. E. Healey, Ilze Skujina, Karen Cox, Alan C. Gange, Paul W. Shaw., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In this study, we report the development of a set of 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker), a highly invasive insect in Europe causing significant damage to natural and ornamental Buxus trees. The markers were characterized for four distant populations in both its native (China, two populations) and invasive ranges (Czech Republic and Turkey, one population each). The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 12. No marker significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for all the populations sampled. These microsatellite markers are promising tools for further studies on the invasive pathways and dispersal pattern of the box tree moth in Europe., Audrey Bras, Laure Sauné, Alain Roques, Jérôme Rousselet, Marie-Anne Auger-Rozenberg., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The longhorn crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille), is a ubiquitous agricultural and urban pest that has invaded most tropical and subtropical regions. Although P. longicornis has been found worldwide for more than a century, the genetic structure, origin, and invasion history of this species have not yet been extensively studied, partially because of the limited number of genetic markers currently available. In the present study, we developed 36 polymorphic microsatellite markers for P. longicornis and characterized these markers by genotyping P. longicornis workers from 74 colonies in East and Southeast Asia. All loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 3 to 18 (8.5 on average). Extremely high levels of heterozygosity were found in all populations, suggesting that workers are invariably produced from the mating of divergent queen and male lineages. Queens and males possess non-overlapping allele size ranges at 18 loci, indicating the potential resolving power of the subset of markers in inferring the history of queen and male lineages. Genetic differentiation among three studied populations was low yet significant and may likely reflect their close association with human activities. Overall, the new microsatellite markers developed in the present study serve as a practical tool to reconstruct routes of invasion and assess the population genetics of this invasive ant.
Nebulization with saline solution, although commonly used to
alleviate respiratory symptoms, particularly in children, is often
questioned concerning its effectiveness. In this study, we
investigated the effects of isotonic saline nebulization on lung
function in 40 children (mean age of 14±1 years) suffering from
different types of airway disorders. Measurements were carried
out directly before and up to 15 min after nebulization, for six
days in a row, always on the same day time in the morning. The
children were divided into two study groups according to the
baseline ratio of forced expired volume in one second/forced vital
capacity (FEV1/FVC), below and above 80 %. We found
significant improvements after saline nebulization in FEV1, midexpiratory flow at 50 % and 75 % of FVC (MEF50 and MEF75),
and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in the group with the baseline
FEV1/FVC less than 80 %. In contradistinction, children with an
index greater than 80 % displayed no appreciable changes in the
lung function variables when compared with the baseline level
before saline nebulization. We conclude that isotonic saline
nebulization might mitigate the functional signs of threatening
pulmonary obstruction and as such may be clinically useful in
pediatric patients with mild respiratory problems.
Itch is the most common chief complaint in patients visiting
dermatology clinics and is analogous to cough and also sneeze of
the lower and upper respiratory tract, all three of which are host
actions trying to clear noxious stimuli. The pathomechanisms of
these symptoms are not completely determined. The itch can
originate from a variety of etiologies. Itch originates following the
activation of peripheral sensory nerve endings following damage
or exposure to inflammatory mediators. More than one sensory
nerve subtype is thought to subserve pruriceptive itch which
includes both unmyelinated C-fibers and thinly myelinated Aδ
nerve fibers. There are a lot of mediators capable of stimulating
these afferent nerves leading to itch. Cough and itch pathways are
mediated by small-diameter sensory fibers. These cough and itch
sensory fibers release neuropeptides upon activation, which leads
to inflammation of the nerves. The inflammation is involved in the
development of chronic conditions of itch and cough. The aim of
this review is to point out the role of sensory nerves in the
pathogenesis of cough and itching. The common aspects of itch
and cough could lead to new thoughts and perspectives in both
fields.
The K13 propeller domain mutation and pfmdr1 amplification have been proposed as useful molecular markers for detection and monitoring of artemisinin resistant Plasmodium falciparum Welch, 1897. Genomic DNA isolates of P. falciparum was extracted from 235 dried blood spot or whole blood samples collected from patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria residing in areas along the Thai-Myanmar border during 2006-2010. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were performed to detect mutations in K13 propeller domain of P. falciparum at codon 427-709. Pfmdr1 gene copy number was determined by SYBR Green I real-time PCR. High prevalence of pfmdr1 multiple copies was observed (42.5% of isolates). The presence of K13 mutations was low (40/235, 17.2%). Seventeen mutations had previously been reported and six mutations were newly detected. The C580Y was found in two isolates (0.9%). The F446I, N458Y and P574L mutations were commonly detected. Seven isolates had both K13 mutation and pfmdr1 multiple copies. It needs to be confirmed whether parasites harbouring both K13 mutation and pfmdr1 multiple copies and/or the observed new mutations of K13 propeller domain are associated with clinical artemisinin resistance., Papichaya Phompradit, Wanna Chaijaroenkul, Phunuch Muhamad, Kesara Na-Bangchang., and Obsahuje bibliografii