Localized Histoplasma capsulatum osteomyelitis of the fibula in an immunocompetent teenage boy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Infection of local bone with Histoplasma capsulatum is rare and difficult to diagnosis, and occurs particularly in immunocompetent subjects, who are more likely to be affected by a wide range of organisms. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old boy presented with localized histoplasmosis osteomyelitis in the left fibula without any evidence of abnormal immunological function or systemic disease. After surgical clearance of the lesion and homologous cancellous bone, the patient was treated orally with voriconazole for 6 months. The patient completely recovered with full function of his left leg during the 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Histoplasmosis osteomyelitis can occasionally occur in immunocompetent individuals and can be complete cured by surgical clearance of the lesion and antibiotic treatment

Analyses of the oligopeptide transporter gene family in poplar and grape

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oligopeptide transporters (OPTs) are a group of membrane-localized proteins that have a broad range of substrate transport capabilities and that are thought to contribute to many biological processes. The OPT proteins belong to a small gene family in plants, which includes about 25 members in Arabidopsis and rice. However, no comprehensive study incorporating phylogeny, chromosomal location, gene structure, expression profiling, functional divergence and selective pressure analysis has been reported thus far for Populus and Vitis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of the OPT gene family in Populus (<it>P. trichocarpa</it>) and Vitis (<it>V. vinifera</it>) was performed. A total of 20 and 18 full-length OPT genes have been identified in Populus and Vitis, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that these OPT genes consist of two classes that can be further subdivided into 11 groups. Gene structures are considerably conserved among the groups. The distribution of OPT genes was found to be non-random across chromosomes. A high proportion of the genes are preferentially clustered, indicating that tandem duplications may have contributed significantly to the expansion of the OPT gene family. Expression patterns based on our analyses of microarray data suggest that many OPT genes may be important in stress response and functional development of plants. Further analyses of functional divergence and adaptive evolution show that, while purifying selection may have been the main force driving the evolution of the OPTs, some of critical sites responsible for the functional divergence may have been under positive selection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, the data obtained from our investigation contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of the Populus and Vitis OPT gene family and of the function and evolution of the OPT gene family in higher plants.</p

Application of High-Resolution DNA Melting for Genotyping in Lepidopteran Non-Model Species: Ostrinia furnacalis (Crambidae)

Development of an ideal marker system facilitates a better understanding of the genetic diversity in lepidopteran non-model organisms, which have abundant species, but relatively limited genomic resources. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered within single-copy genes have proved to be desired markers, but SNP genotyping by current techniques remain laborious and expensive. High resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis represents a simple, rapid and inexpensive genotyping method that is primarily confined to clinical and diagnostic studies. In this study, we evaluated the potential of HRM analysis for SNP genotyping in the lepidopteran non-model species Ostrinia furnacalis (Crambidae). Small amplicon and unlabeled probe assays were developed for the SNPs, which were identified in 30 females of O. furnacalis from 3 different populations by our direct sequencing. Both assays were then applied to genotype 90 unknown female DNA by prior mixing with known wild-type DNA. The genotyping results were compared with those that were obtained using bi-directional sequencing analysis. Our results demonstrated the efficiency and reliability of the HRM assays. HRM has the potential to provide simple, cost-effective genotyping assays and facilitates genotyping studies in any non-model lepidopteran species of interest

Genome Editing of \u3cem\u3eWnt-1\u3c/em\u3e, a Gene Associated with Segmentation, via CRISPR/Cas9 in the Pine Caterpillar Moth, \u3cem\u3eDendrolimus punctatus\u3c/em\u3e

The pine caterpillar moth, Dendrolimus punctatus, is a devastating forest pest. Genetic manipulation of this insect pest is limited due to the lack of genomic and functional genomic toolsets. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been demonstrated to be a promising approach to modify the genome. To investigate gene functions during the embryogenesis, we introduced CRISPR/Cas9 system in D. punctatus to precisely and effectively manipulate gene expressions inmutant embryos. Compared to controls, knocking out of DpWnt-1, a gene well known for its role in the early body planning, led to high embryonic mortality. Among these mutants, 32.9% of the embryos and larvae showed an abnormal development. DpWnt-1 mutants predominantly exhibited abnormal posterior segments. In addition, multiple phenotypes were observed, including the loss of limbs and the head deformation, suggesting that DpWnt-1 signaling pathway is necessary for anterior segmentation and appendage development. Overall, our results demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 system is feasible and efficient in inducing mutations at a specific locus in D. punctatus. This study not only lays the foundation for characterizing gene functions in a non-model species, but also facilitates the future development of pest control alternatives for a major defoliator

Astragaloside IV exerts anti-inflammatory role in endometriosis by downregulating TLR4/NF-κB pathway

Purpose: To investigate the effect of astragaloside IV administration on the inflammatory response in endometriosis and the underlying mechanism of action. Methods: Mice were divided into two groups: endometriosis (EMs) mice and control mice (n = 12). EMs induction in mice was achieved by transplantation of mouse uterine tissue. The same procedure was performed in control mice except that a separate suture was inserted instead of endometrial tissue. After 5 weeks, EMs mice were treated with or without astragaloside IV (AIV). The tissue lesions in EMs and control mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 signaling was evaluated by western blot, while expression of inflammatory cytokines was evaluated by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Astragaloside IV repressed the inflammation of murine Ems lesions, and also dampened the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling in vivo and vitro (p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). In addition, the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, Ccl-2, and TNF-α) decreased following AIV treatment in vivo. Conclusion: The results indicate that TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways are closely related to the inhibition of Ems inflammation by astragaloside IV. Thus, astragaloside IV may be a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of endometrioses

Genome Editing of \u3cem\u3eWnt-1\u3c/em\u3e, a Gene Associated with Segmentation, via CRISPR/Cas9 in the Pine Caterpillar Moth, \u3cem\u3eDendrolimus punctatus\u3c/em\u3e

The pine caterpillar moth, Dendrolimus punctatus, is a devastating forest pest. Genetic manipulation of this insect pest is limited due to the lack of genomic and functional genomic toolsets. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been demonstrated to be a promising approach to modify the genome. To investigate gene functions during the embryogenesis, we introduced CRISPR/Cas9 system in D. punctatus to precisely and effectively manipulate gene expressions inmutant embryos. Compared to controls, knocking out of DpWnt-1, a gene well known for its role in the early body planning, led to high embryonic mortality. Among these mutants, 32.9% of the embryos and larvae showed an abnormal development. DpWnt-1 mutants predominantly exhibited abnormal posterior segments. In addition, multiple phenotypes were observed, including the loss of limbs and the head deformation, suggesting that DpWnt-1 signaling pathway is necessary for anterior segmentation and appendage development. Overall, our results demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 system is feasible and efficient in inducing mutations at a specific locus in D. punctatus. This study not only lays the foundation for characterizing gene functions in a non-model species, but also facilitates the future development of pest control alternatives for a major defoliator