93 research outputs found

    Analysis for genotyping Duffy blood group in inhabitants of Sudan, the Fourth Cataract of the Nile

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genetic polymophisms of the Duffy antigen receptor for the chemokines (DARC) gene successfully protected against blood stage infection by <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>infection. The Fy (a-, b-) phenotype is predominant among African populations, particularly those originating from West Africa, and it is rare among non-African populations. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of four Duffy blood groups based on SNPs (T-33C, G125A, G298A and C5411T) in two local tribes of Sudanese Arabs, the <it>Shagia </it>and <it>Manasir</it>, which are both from the region of the Fourth Nile cataract in Sudan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An analysis of polymorphisms was performed on 217 individuals (126 representatives of the <it>Shagia </it>tribe and 91 of the <it>Manasir)</it>. Real-time PCR and TaqMan Genotyping Assays were used to study the prevalence of alleles and genotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis of allelic and genotype frequency in the T-33C polymorphisms demonstrated a significant dominance of the <it>C </it>allele and <it>CC </it>genotype (OR = 0.53 [0.32-0.88]; p = 0.02) in both tribes. The G125A polymorphism is associated with phenotype Fy(a-, b-) and was identified in 83% of <it>Shagia </it>and 77% of <it>Manasir</it>. With regard to G298A polymorphisms, the genotype frequencies were different between the tribes (p = 0,002) and no single <it>AA </it>homozygote was found. Based on four SNPs examined, 20 combinations of genotypes for the <it>Shagia </it>and <it>Manasir </it>tribes were determined. The genotype <it>CC/AA/GG/CT </it>occurred most often in <it>Shagia </it>tribe (45.9%) but was rare in the <it>Manasir </it>tribe (6.6%) (p < 0.001 <it>Shagia </it>versus <it>Manasir</it>). The <it>FY*A<sup>ES </sup></it>allele was identified in both analysed tribes. The presence of individuals with the <it>FY*A/FY*A </it>genotype was demonstrated only in the <it>Shagia </it>tribe.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is probably the first report showing genotypically Duffy-negative people who carry both <it>FY*B<sup>ES </sup></it>and <it>FY*A<sup>ES</sup></it>. The identification of the <it>FY*A<sup>ES </sup></it>allele in both tribes may be due to admixture of the non-African genetic background. Taken as a whole, allele and genotype frequencies between the <it>Shagia </it>and the <it>Manasir </it>were statistically different. However, the presence of individuals with the <it>FY*A/FY*A </it>genotype was demonstrated only in the <it>Shagia </it>tribe.</p

    Higher levels of glutamate in the associative-striatum of subjects with prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia and patients with first-episode psychosis

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    The glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems are thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Their interaction has been widely documented and may have a role in the neurobiological basis of the disease. The aim of this study was to compare, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), glutamate levels in the precommissural dorsal-caudate (a dopamine-rich region) and the cerebellar cortex (negligible for dopamine) in the following: (1) 18 antipsychotic-naïve subjects with prodromal symptoms and considered to be at ultra high-risk for schizophrenia (UHR), (2) 18 antipsychotic-naïve first- episode psychosis patients (FEP), and (3) 40 age- and sex- matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent a 1H-MRS study using a 3Tesla scanner. Glutamate levels were quantified and corrected for the proportion of cerebrospinal fluid and percentage of gray matter in the voxel. The UHR and FEP groups showed higher levels of glutamate than controls, without differences between UHR and FEP. In the cerebellum, no differences were seen between the three groups. The higher glutamate level in the precommissural dorsal-caudate and not in the cerebellum of UHR and FEP suggests that a high glutamate level (a) precedes the onset of schizophrenia, and (b) is present in a dopamine-rich region previously implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.peer-reviewe

    Meeting the Aichi targets: Pushing for zero extinction conservation

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    Effective protection of the ~19,000 IUCN-listed threatened species has never been more pressing. Ensuring the survival of the most vulnerable and irreplaceable taxa and places, such as those identified by the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species and their associated sites (AZEs&s), is an excellent opportunity to achieve the Aichi 2020 Targets T11 (protected areas) and T12 (preventing species extinctions). AZE taxa have small, single-site populations that are especially vulnerable to human-induced extinctions, particularly for the many amphibians. We show that AZEs&s can be protected feasibly and cost-effectively, but action is urgent. We argue that the Alliance, whose initial main aim was to identify AZEs&s, must be followed up by a second-generation initiative that directs and co-ordinates AZE conservation activities on the ground. The prominent role of zoos, conservation NGOs and governmental institutions provides a combination of all-encompassing knowhow that can, if properly steered, maximize the long-term survival of AZEs&s

    Cross-tolerance to abiotic stresses in halophytes: Application for phytoremediation of organic pollutants

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    International audienceHalopytes are plants able to tolerate high salt concentrations but no clear definition was retained for them. In literature, there are more studies that showed salt-enhanced tolerance to other abiotic stresses compared to investigations that found enhanced salt tolerance by other abiotic stresses in halophytes. The phenomenon by which a plant resistance to a stress induces resistance to another is referred to as cross-tolerance. In this work, we reviewed cross-tolerance in halophytes at the physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. A special attention was accorded to the cross-tolerance between salinity and organic pollutants that could allow halophytes a higher potential of xenobiotic phytoremediation in comparison with glycophytes

    Global Diversity of Ascidiacea

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    The class Ascidiacea presents fundamental opportunities for research in the fields of development, evolution, ecology, natural products and more. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding the global biodiversity of the class Ascidiacea, focusing in their taxonomy, main regions of biodiversity, and distribution patterns. Based on analysis of the literature and the species registered in the online World Register of Marine Species, we assembled a list of 2815 described species. The highest number of species and families is found in the order Aplousobranchia. Didemnidae and Styelidae families have the highest number of species with more than 500 within each group. Sixty percent of described species are colonial. Species richness is highest in tropical regions, where colonial species predominate. In higher latitudes solitary species gradually contribute more to the total species richness. We emphasize the strong association between species richness and sampling efforts, and discuss the risks of invasive species. Our inventory is certainly incomplete as the ascidian fauna in many areas around the world is relatively poorly known, and many new species continue to be discovered and described each year

    A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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    G6PD deficiency in Latin America: systematic review on prevalence and variants

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    Plasmodium vivax radical cure requires the use of primaquine (PQ), a drug that induces haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) individuals, which further hampers malaria control efforts. The aim of this work was to study the G6PDd prevalence and variants in Latin America (LA) and the Caribbean region. A systematic search of the published literature was undertaken in August 2013. Bibliographies of manuscripts were also searched and additional references were identified. Low prevalence rates of G6PDd were documented in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, but studies from Curaçao, Ecuador, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad, as well as some surveys carried out in areas of Brazil, Colombia and Cuba, have shown a high prevalence (> 10%) of G6PDd. The G6PD A-202A mutation was the variant most broadly distributed across LA and was identified in 81.1% of the deficient individuals surveyed. G6PDd is a frequent phenomenon in LA, although certain Amerindian populations may not be affected, suggesting that PQ could be safely used in these specific populations. Population-wide use of PQ as part of malaria elimination strategies in LA cannot be supported unless a rapid, accurate and field-deployable G6PDd diagnostic test is made available
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