N-Acetylglucosamine Induces White to Opaque Switching, a Mating Prerequisite in Candida albicans

To mate, the fungal pathogen Candida albicans must undergo homozygosis at the mating-type locus and then switch from the white to opaque phenotype. Paradoxically, opaque cells were found to be unstable at physiological temperature, suggesting that mating had little chance of occurring in the host, the main niche of C. albicans. Recently, however, it was demonstrated that high levels of CO2, equivalent to those found in the host gastrointestinal tract and select tissues, induced the white to opaque switch at physiological temperature, providing a possible resolution to the paradox. Here, we demonstrate that a second signal, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), a monosaccharide produced primarily by gastrointestinal tract bacteria, also serves as a potent inducer of white to opaque switching and functions primarily through the Ras1/cAMP pathway and phosphorylated Wor1, the gene product of the master switch locus. Our results therefore suggest that signals produced by bacterial co-members of the gastrointestinal tract microbiota regulate switching and therefore mating of C. albicans

Treatment of ocular allergies:nonpharmacologic, pharmacologic and immunotherapy

Ocular allergy is a significant and growing issue worldwide but for many patients, it is often not differentiated from systemic conditions, such as hay fever. Management of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis is often poor. Management is principally through avoidance measures (blocking or hygiene), nonpharmaceutical (such as artificial tears and cold compresses) and pharmaceutical (such as topical antihistamines and prophylactic mast cell stabilizers). Vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis are more severe and generally need treatment with NSAIDs, steroids and immunomodulators. Giant papillary conjunctivitis can be related to allergy but also is often contact lens related and in such cases can be managed by a period of abstinence and replacement of the lens or a change in lens material and/or design. Immunotherapy can be efficacious in severe, persistent cases of contact lens or allergic conjunctivitis

Relationship of ocular pulse amplitude with eye structures and systemic blood pressure

Purpose: To assess the relationship of ocular pulse amplitude with eye structures and systemic blood pressure in healthy subjects. Material and Method: Fifty-one healthy subjects were included in the study. Ocular pulse amplitude measurement by Pascal dynamic contour tonometry, corneal pachymetry, axial length, anterior chamber depth, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements were performed in addition to routine ophthalmologic examination. The factors related to ocular pulse amplitude were statistically evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 30.98±14.4 (range: 16-66) years. Of 51 patients, 14 (27.5%) were male and 37 (72.5%) were female. The mean ocular pulse amplitude, axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal pachymetry, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were as follows: 2.4±0.8mmHg, 23.4±0.8 mm, 3.2±0.3 mm, 547.2±30.7 μm, 118.2±8.8 mmHg, 76.8±4.6 mmHg. Correlation analysis showed significant association between ocular pulse amplitude and intraocular pressure (p=0.000). The associations of ocular pulse amplitude with age, gender, corneal pachymetry, anterior chamber depth, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not significant. Linear regression analysis showed that axial length and intraocular pressure independently affected ocular pulse amplitude. Low ocular pulse amplitude was associated with low intraocular pressure and long axial length. Discussion: Ocular pulse amplitude was significantly associated with intraocular pressure and axial length but not with age, gender and anterior eye structures

Lipid profile in retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To evaluate the lipid profile of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Material and Methods: The records of 53 patients with RVO seen between 2008-2010 at Pamukkale University, Department of Ophthalmology were retrospectively evaluated. Age matched 54 patients without ophthalmic pathologies comprised the control group. The control group was divided into control group 1 (without systemic diseases) and control group 2 (with systemic diseases similar to the study group). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyserid values of the study group were compared to the control groups. Results: Of 53 patients with RVO, 24 patients with available lipid profile were enrolled in the study. In the study group, 12 (50%) patients were male and 12 (50%) were female with a mean age of 61.9±10.7. Nineteen (79.1%) patients had branch RVO and 5 (20.8%) patients had central RVO. Twelve patients had hypertension, 2 patients had diabetes mellitus and 3 patients had hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Mean triglyserid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein levels were 174.5±114.5, 185.5±39.6, 44.9±9.8, 101.9±32 respectively in the study group, 135±67.3, 192.1±48, 43.4±13.1 and 116.7±42.7 in the control group 1 and 180.4±77.9, 193.6±39.8, 41.8±10.5 and 115.5±30.9 respectively in the control group 2. The differences in lipid profiles between the study and the control groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Lipid profile in RVO is not significantly different from the age-matched patients with and without systemic vascular risk factors

Photodynamic therapy for unilateral idiopathic peripapillary choroidal neovascularization in a child

A 10-year-old girl presented with visual loss in her right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Dilated funduscopic examination revealed a yellowish elevated lesion near the optic disc with macular edema and hemorrhage on the inferotemporal vascular arcade in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography showed a hyperfluorescent lesion consistent with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a peripapillary lesion with subretinal fluid elevating the neurosensory retina in the macular area. With a diagnosis of unilateral idiopathic peripapillary CNV, the patient underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin. At the four month follow-up, visual acuity increased to 20/25 and OCT showed peripapillary scar formation and total resolution of the subretinal fluid. At the one year follow-up, visual acuity and fundus were stable without recurrence of the lesion. PDT for peripapillary CNV in children has not previously been reported. Although it seems to be a favorable treatment option for peripapillary lesions, there is a lack of knowledge about long-term follow-up in pediatric cases. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

New oleanane-type saponins from Astragolus flavescens

55th Annual Congress of the Society-for-Medicinal-Plant-Research -- SEP 02-06, 2007 -- Karl Franzens Univ, Graz, AUSTRIAWOS: 000249395900499Soc Med Plant Re