Perspectives of people in Mali toward genetically-modified mosquitoes for malaria control

Background: Genetically-modified (GM) mosquitoes have been proposed as part of an integrated vector control strategy for malaria control. Public acceptance is essential prior to field trials, particularly since mosquitoes are a vector of human disease and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) face strong scepticism in developed and developing nations. Despite this, in sub-Saharan Africa, where the GM mosquito effort is primarily directed, very little data is available on perspectives to GMOs. Here, results are presented of a qualitative survey of public attitudes to GM mosquitoes for malaria control in rural and urban areas of Mali, West Africa between the months of October 2008 and June 2009. Methods: The sample consisted of 80 individuals - 30 living in rural communities, 30 living in urban suburbs of Bamako, and 20 Western-trained and traditional health professionals working in Bamako and Bandiagara. Questions were asked about the cause of malaria, heredity and selective breeding. This led to questions about genetic alterations, and acceptable conditions for a release of pest-resistant GM corn and malaria-refractory GM mosquitoes. Finally, participants were asked about the decision-making process in their community. Interviews were transcribed and responses were categorized according to general themes. Results: Most participants cited mosquitoes as one of several causes of malaria. The concept of the gene was not widely understood; however selective breeding was understood, allowing limited communication of the concept of genetic modification. Participants were open to a release of pest-resistant GM corn, often wanting to conduct a trial themselves. The concept of a trial was reapplied to GM mosquitoes, although less frequently. Participants wanted to see evidence that GM mosquitoes can reduce malaria prevalence without negative consequences for human health and the environment. For several participants, a mosquito control programme was preferred; however a transgenic release that satisfied certain requirements was usually acceptable. Conclusions: Although there were some dissenters, the majority of participants were pragmatic towards a release of GM mosquitoes. An array of social and cultural issues associated with malaria, mosquitoes and genetic engineering became apparent. If these can be successfully addressed, then social acceptance among the populations surveyed seems promising

Identification and expression profile of a thioredoxin h in olive (Olea europaea L.)

The cellular response to stress also includes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When in excess, these second messengers can cause significant detrimental biochemical changes, such as stress-induced lipid peroxidation. In plants, a powerful endogenous antioxidant system is based on the enzymatic modification of redox-sensitive cysteines, carried out for example, by thioredoxin proteins. In this work, we report the cloning and characterization of a thioredoxin gene from olive (Olea europaea L.), which was named Oe-Trx h I. We also performed an expression analysis in drupes following biotic stress, as a first step towards the definition of its possible defensive role against the olive fruit fly [Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)]. The data indicate that the cloned thioredoxin h is a potential member of the biotic stress response in drupes and suggest that Oe-Trx h I may be a component active towards an increased resistance against oxidative stress. This work opens the way to further studies to assess the protective role of this gene against ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation in drupes following larval feeding

Why honey is effective as a medicine. 1. Its use in modern medicine

Honey has been used as a medicine for thousands of years and its curative properties are well documented. However, modern medicine turned its back on honey and it is only now, with the advent of multi-resistant bacteria, that the antibiotic properties of honey are being rediscovered

Increased ventral striatal volume in college-aged binge drinkers

BACKGROUND Binge drinking is a serious public health issue associated with cognitive, physiological, and anatomical differences from healthy individuals. No studies, however, have reported subcortical grey matter differences in this population. To address this, we compared the grey matter volumes of college-age binge drinkers and healthy controls, focusing on the ventral striatum, hippocampus and amygdala. METHOD T1-weighted images of 19 binge drinkers and 19 healthy volunteers were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry. Structural data were also covaried with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores. Cluster-extent threshold and small volume corrections were both used to analyze imaging data. RESULTS Binge drinkers had significantly larger ventral striatal grey matter volumes compared to controls. There were no between group differences in hippocampal or amygdalar volume. Ventral striatal, amygdalar, and hippocampal volumes were also negatively related to AUDIT scores across groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings stand in contrast to the lower ventral striatal volume previously observed in more severe forms of alcohol use disorders, suggesting that college-age binge drinkers may represent a distinct population from those groups. These findings may instead represent early sequelae, compensatory effects of repeated binge and withdrawal, or an endophenotypic risk factor

Malignant Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) Presenting as a Stroke Alert: A Case Report.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare illness. Generally characterized by encephalopathy and non-specific, heterogeneous neurological deficits depending on the location of the demyelinated lesions, ADEM is considered a clinical diagnosis with radiological findings that may or may not have supportive features based on the temporal relationship of an inciting factor and symptom onset. Even rarer, hyperacute or malignant ADEM can be defined by rapid symptom onset followed by catastrophic brain edema and its sequelae. We present a case of a patient who presented with an acute stroke with activation of a rapid sequence care pathway (stroke alert protocol) to mobilize resources that could expedite his care to determine eligibility for thrombolysis. ADEM was the definitive diagnosis with a subsequent rapid and treatment-refractory decline

Discrepant Prevalence and Incidence of Leishmania Infection between Two Neighboring Villages in Central Mali Based on Leishmanin Skin Test Surveys

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected sand fly. Leishmaniasis is present in more than 88 countries and affects more than 12 million people. Depending on the species of Leishmania, the host can develop cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), which is characterized by skin ulcers in uncovered parts of the body or a more severe form, visceral leishmaniasis, which affects the liver and spleen and is fatal if not treated. This study aims to establish the past and present infection with Leishmania parasites in two villages where recent cases have been diagnosed by the dermatology center (CNAM) in Bamako. This was achieved using a Leishmania-specific skin test that was administered annually to permanent residents of Kemena and Sougoula villages from 2006 to 2008. The results show that transmission of Leishmania is active and stable in these two villages. Moreover, despite sharing similar cultural and environmental features, the individuals from Kemena presented three times the risk of Leishmania infection compared with those from Sougoula. Our findings raise awareness of the continued presence of CL in Mali

With a little help from my friends: The role of intraoperative fluorescent dyes in the surgical management of high-grade gliomas

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are the most frequent primary malignant brain tumors in adults, which lead to death within two years of diagnosis. Maximal safe resection of malignant gliomas as the first step of multimodal therapy is an accepted goal in malignant glioma surgery. Gross total resection has an important role in improving overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), but identification of tumor borders is particularly difficult in HGGS. For this reason, imaging adjuncts, such as 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or fluorescein sodium (FS) have been proposed as superior strategies for better defining the limits of surgical resection for HGG. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is implicated as precursor in the synthetic pathway of heme group. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is an intermediate compound of heme metabolism, which produces fluorescence when excited by appropriate light wavelength. Malignant glioma cells have the capacity to selectively synthesize or accumulate 5-ALA-derived porphyrins after exogenous administration of 5-ALA. Fluorescein sodium (FS), on the other hand, is a fluorescent substance that is not specific to tumor cells but actually it is a marker for compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) areas. Its effectiveness is confirmed by multicenter phase-II trial (FLUOGLIO) but lack of randomized phase III trial data. We conducted an analytic review of the literature with the objective of identifying the usefulness of 5-ALA and FS in HGG surgery in adult patients

New hope in brain glioma surgery: The role of intraoperative ultrasound. A review

Maximal safe resection represents the gold standard for surgery of malignant brain tumors. As regards gross-total resection, accurate localization and precise delineation of the tumor margins are required. Intraoperative diagnostic imaging (Intra-Operative Magnetic Resonance-IOMR, Intra-Operative Computed Tomography-IOCT, Intra-Operative Ultrasound-IOUS) and dyes (fluorescence) have become relevant in brain tumor surgery, allowing for a more radical and safer tumor resection. IOUS guidance for brain tumor surgery is accurate in distinguishing tumor from normal parenchyma, and it allows a real-time intraoperative visualization. We aim to evaluate the role of IOUS in gliomas surgery and to outline specific strategies to maximize its efficacy. We performed a literature research through the Pubmed database by selecting each article which was focused on the use of IOUS in brain tumor surgery, and in particular in glioma surgery, published in the last 15 years (from 2003 to 2018). We selected 39 papers concerning the use of IOUS in brain tumor surgery, including gliomas. IOUS exerts a notable attraction due to its low cost, minimal interruption of the operational flow, and lack of radiation exposure. Our literature review shows that increasing the use of ultrasound in brain tumors allows more radical resections, thus giving rise to increases in survival

A review of the distribution of particulate trace elements in urban terrestrial environments and its application to considerations of risk

We review the evolution, state of the art and future lines of research on the sources, transport pathways, and sinks of particulate trace elements in urban terrestrial environments to include the atmosphere, soils, and street and indoor dusts. Such studies reveal reductions in the emissions of some elements of historical concern such as Pb, with interest consequently focusing on other toxic trace elements such as As, Cd, Hg, Zn, and Cu. While establishment of levels of these elements is important in assessing the potential impacts of human society on the urban environment, it is also necessary to apply this knowledge in conjunction with information on the toxicity of those trace elements and the degree of exposure of human receptors to an assessment of whether such contamination represents a real risk to the city’s inhabitants and therefore how this risk can be addressed