In vitro culture of Plasmodium berghei-ANKA maintains infectivity of mouse erythrocytes inducing cerebral malaria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infection with <it>Plasmodium berghei </it>is a widely used model of murine malaria and a powerful tool for reverse genetic and pathogenesis studies. However, the efficacy of <it>in vitro </it>reinvasion of erythrocytes is generally low, limiting <it>in vitro </it>studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Plasmodium berghei </it>ANKA-infected blood obtained from a susceptible infected mouse was cultured in various conditions and <it>in vitro </it>parasitaemia was measured every day to evaluate the rate of reinvasion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>High quality culture media were used and reinvasion rates were improved by vigorous orbital shaking of the flask and increasing density of the medium with gelatin.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Using these settings, reinvasion of normal mouse erythrocytes by the parasite was obtained <it>in vitro </it>over two weeks with preservation of the infectivity <it>in vivo</it>.</p

Risk of metabolic and vascular disease in South Asians: potential mechanisms for increased insulin resistance

The impending global pandemic of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and vascular disease suggests an urgent need for prevention strategies. Of all the common ethnic groups, South Asians, who make up a fifth of the world's population, experience the highest prevalence of both Type 2 diabetes and vascular disease. The high rates of diabetes, in particular, occur with lower average adiposity levels, suggesting that South Asians are more susceptible to the adverse effects of obesity. This review explores in detail the potential mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. A better understanding of these mechanisms may ultimately lead to better interventions to prevent diabetes and heart disease in this at-risk grou