Host-Parasite Relationship Studies of the Larval Alfalfa Weevil and the Ichneumonid Parasite Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson)

The parasitic effects of the ichneumonid Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) on the larval alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), were studied. Results of experiments on the rates of parasitism of the four host larval instars indicated that the first three are either preferred by the parasite over the fourth instar larvae or are more susceptible to the parasite\u27s attack. Survival of the younger weevil larvae after their exposure to female parasites was markedly poorer than that of unparasitized larvae. Premature death of host larvae was probably from both the puncturing by the parasite\u27s ovipositor and the feeding and other activities of parasite larvae within the hosts. The incidence of premature mortality of host larvae following ovipostion by Bathyplectes increased with multiple stinging and decreased with host age. The effects of parasitism on host development and activity were studied at 25-26 C. Larvae of each ins tar were parasitized and the number of days required for development to the cocoon stage was compared with that of unparasitized larvae of the same age. The development time for larvae parasitized during the third or fourth instar was significantly longer than that for unparasitized larvae. No significant difference existed between the length of development time for larvae parasitized during the first or second instar, and that for unparasitized larvae. There was no significant difference in the activity of unparasitized and parasitized larvae. The influence of parasitism on growth, food consumption and food utilization by H. postica larvae during the third and fourth instars was studied at 22.2 C and 30 C. At both temperatures, total growth was significantly higher with unparasitized than with parasitized larvae. At 22.2 C, the total food consumption by unparasitized larvae was significantly higher than that by parasitized larvae. At 30 C, there was no significant difference between the total food consumption by unparasitized and parasitized larvae, although unparasitized larvae consumed more food. The food consumption per larva per day was significantly higher for unparasitized larvae at both temperatures. There was, however, no significant difference in the dry weight-fresh weight consumption index between parasitized and unparasitized larvae at either temperature. No significant difference existed, at either 22.2 C or 30 C, in the approximate digestibility of alfalfa by parasitized and unparasitized larvae. The efficiency of food digestion by both types of larvae decreased with age, the decline being more pronounced at 30 C than at 22.2 C. The net efficiency of conversion of ingested food to body matter was higher for parasitized than for unparas tized larvae at 22.2 C. The difference was marginally significant at the 5 percent level. At 30 C, there was no significant difference between the net efficiencies of conversion of ingested food to body matter by parasitized and unparasitized larvae. Also no significant difference existed between the net efficiencies of conversion of digested food to body matter by parasitized and unparasitized larvae at either temperature. Efforts to discover a practical method to distinguish parasitized from unparasitized larvae without dissection were unsuccessful

Reducing Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa : Two Development Theories and the Role of the Church

This research aims at discussing some of the ways in which both the Basic Needs Theory of development in Jeffrey Haynes and the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) in John Rees, seek to reduce poverty in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). The Church´s role of providing basic needs within the Comprehensive Development Framework was also discussed. Conceptual and argumentation analysis methods were used. Most countries in Africa are confronted with worsening poverty, hunger, ill health and high unemployment. According to the World Bank (2009), about one in two persons lives on less than US$1.25 per day, with almost 70 percent living in rural areas, thirty-two out of the forty-eight poorest countries are found in SSA. The International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1976 sought to alleviate poverty by Basic Needs Theory of development which urged the various governments to endeavor to provide basic needs (food, housing, clothing, and public services, and so on) to their citizens. According to Haynes, the theory failed because the developmental agenda became absorbed into the wider cold war ideological division, and also because of the unwillingness of the ruling elites and their supporters in many developing counties to facilitate the necessary financial transfers upon which the successful delivery of basic needs strategy pivoted. This led to the redefinition of the role of the state since it could not provide basic needs solely. As a result of this, Poverty Reduction Strategies such as Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative, and others were birthed. These Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) process was the main basis for implementing the CDF principles which are intended to translate a country’s poverty reduction strategy into a focused action plan. The CDF was proposed by the World Bank in early 1999 as a means by which countries can manage knowledge and resources to formulate and execute effective strategies for economic development and poverty reduction. The CDF, among others, stresses strong partnerships among governments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other development actors of which the church is part. According to Rees, the church (example the World Council of Churches) is skeptical to associate with the secular institutions including International Financial Institutions (IFIs). However, the Catholic and Lutheran churches’ social ministries mandate it to work with non-church institutions to bring about development. Thus the church has a holistic mission which allows it to seek justice to bring about transformation through empowerment and works for peace and reconciliation. In some parts of Africa, some churches have been very proactive in terms of provision of basic needs comprising the material, social, psychological and bodily as well as spiritual well-being. This is done through support and advocacy. The IFI´s decision to involve the church in its efforts to reduce poverty is not only laudable but also realistic since the church has long been involved in the provision of basic needs in SSA. Keywords: Poverty Reduction, Basic Needs, Comprehensive Development Framework, Church

A Novel Mutation Causing Pseudohypoparathyroidism 1A with Congenital Hypothyroidism and Osteoma Cutis

Various inactivating mutations in guanine nucleotide−binding protein, alpha−stimulating activity polypeptide1 (GNAS1) gene have been described with poor phenotype correlation. Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a (PHP1a) results from an inactivating mutation in the GNAS1 gene. Hormone resistance occurs not only to parathyroid hormone (PTH), but typically also to other hormones which signal via G protein coupled receptors including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), gonadotropins, and growth hormone releasing hormone. In addition, the phenotype of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) is observed, which may include short stature, round facies, brachydactyly, obesity, ectopic soft tissue or dermal ossification (osteoma cutis) and psychomotor retardation with variable expression

Bohring–Opitz syndrome (BOS) with a new ASXL1 pathogenic variant: Review of the most prevalent molecular and phenotypic features of the syndrome

Bohring–Opitz syndrome (BOS) was first described by Bohring et al. [1999]. The authors reported four cases which had several features in common, including a prominent metopic suture, hypertelorism, exophthalmos, cleft lip and palate, limb anomalies, as well as difficulty feeding with severe developmental delays. In almost 50% of cases that meet the clinical criteria for BOS, de novo frameshift and nonsense mutations in the ASXL1 gene have been detected, suggesting that loss of function of this gene is a major cause. We report on the clinical characterization of one young female patient who was evaluated because of severe developmental delays, failure to thrive, and multiple minor anomalies and was clinically diagnosed with BOS. Whole exome sequencing analysis detected one novel disruptive frameshift mutation in the ASXL1 gene and we were also able to confirm the presence of two CFTR mutations associated with her chronic pancreatitis with acute severe breakthrough attacks requiring multiple ICU admissions. This latter complication of pancreatitis further contributed to the complexity of the clinical presentation and represents an independent genetic finding. Our case report emphasizes the importance of highly specific phenotypic characterization of patients with complex phenotypes before proceeding with molecular studies. That approach will lead to more accurate molecular data interpretation and better clinical genetic diagnosis, particularly for those patients with rare, difficult-to-diagnose disorders

Rare inheritance of Leri-Weill Syndrome due to crossover of short stature Homeobox Gene (SHOX) Deletions between X and Y Chromosomes: a case report

Background: Leri-Weill syndrome (LWS) is a genetic disorder caused by deletions or mutations in the SHOX gene or by deletions downstream of the gene and is classically characterized by short stature, mesomelic shortening of forearms and legs, and Madelung deformity. Correct identification of short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency in children with growth problems is vital for appropriate initiation of growth hormone therapy. Method: We report a phenotypically normal 23 day old male infant born to a father diagnosed with Leri-Weill syndrome at age 12 years with a documented SHOX deletion on his X chromosome. The patient’s fetal long bones had been found to be about three weeks delayed in growth on prenatal ultrasound during the second trimester. Results: The infant underwent genetic evaluation at 23 days of life and was found to have a SHOX deletion on Yp11.32 identified using single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP) analysis and confirmed by FISH using a SHOX gene probe. Conclusion: We report the case of a male infant diagnosed with Leri-Weill syndrome with an unusual documented inheritance between father and son due to crossover between X and Y chromosomes during paternal meiosis. Our case is the youngest patient in literature documented by FISH analysis to have an X to Y chromosome transfer and the first of these patients diagnosed prior to onset of short stature or Madelung deformity. Our patient was identified prior to growth failure and can now be monitored for growth abnormalities with the ability to implement growth augmentation therapy without delay. Our case highlights the importance of advising affected SHOX patients of risks to future offspring and supports screening off-spring of parents carrying SHOX abnormalities regardless of sex

De novo mutations in PURA are associated with hypotonia and developmental delay

PURA is the leading candidate gene responsible for the developmental phenotype in the 5q31.3 microdeletion syndrome. De novo mutations in PURA were recently reported in 15 individuals with developmental features similar to the 5q31.3 microdeletion syndrome. Here we describe six unrelated children who were identified by clinical whole-exome sequencing (WES) to have novel de novo variants in PURA with a similar phenotype of hypotonia and developmental delay and frequently associated with seizures. The protein Puralpha (encoded by PURA) is involved in neuronal proliferation, dendrite maturation, and the transport of mRNA to translation sites during neuronal development. Mutations in PURA may alter normal brain development and impair neuronal function, leading to developmental delay and the seizures observed in patients with mutations in PURA

The Use of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in the Non-invasive Diagnosis of Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma: A Case Report

We hereby report the case of a patient with optic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM), whose diagnosis and multidisciplinary management was guided by the use of Gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled dodecanetetraacetic acid-tyrosine-3-octreotate (DOTATATE) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan. We briefly review the diagnosis and management of ONSM, and review the literature on the role and current status of nuclear imaging with somatostatin receptor ligands in the non-invasive diagnosis and management of meningiomas

Mutations in the Cholesterol Transporter Gene ABCA5 Are Associated with Excessive Hair Overgrowth

Inherited hypertrichoses are rare syndromes characterized by excessive hair growth that does not result from androgen stimulation, and are often associated with additional congenital abnormalities. In this study, we investigated the genetic defect in a case of autosomal recessive congenital generalized hypertrichosis terminalis (CGHT) (OMIM135400) using whole-exome sequencing. We identified a single base pair substitution in the 5′ donor splice site of intron 32 in the ABC lipid transporter gene ABCA5 that leads to aberrant splicing of the transcript and a decrease in protein levels throughout patient hair follicles. The homozygous recessive disruption of ABCA5 leads to reduced lysosome function, which results in an accumulation of autophagosomes, autophagosomal cargos as well as increased endolysosomal cholesterol in CGHT keratinocytes. In an unrelated sporadic case of CGHT, we identified a 1.3 Mb cryptic deletion of chr17q24.2-q24.3 encompassing ABCA5 and found that ABCA5 levels are dramatically reduced throughout patient hair follicles. Collectively, our findings support ABCA5 as a gene underlying the CGHT phenotype and suggest a novel, previously unrecognized role for this gene in regulating hair growth

Lack of difference in treatment patterns and clinical outcomes between black and white patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Previous reports have shown differences in phenotypes among black patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared with other racial groups, but prior studies were limited by small numbers of black patients and cross-sectional analyses. We used data from the Sinai-Helmsley Alliance for Research Excellence cohort to compare phenotypes and treatment patterns of black and white patients with IBD in a prospective study. Methods: We compared phenotypes, IBD-specific therapies, and health care utilization among black and white patients with IBD. For all analyses, we performed bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Among 5537 patients with IBD, 314 (6%) reported black race. Black patients were more likely to report a Crohn's disease (CD)-related complication at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.95). Black patients with CD were more likely to develop a new abscess (aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.31-3.93) and initiate an anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy during follow-up (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.09-3.14). Black patients with ulcerative colitis were more likely to have proctitis (24% vs 13%, P = 0.033) at baseline. There were no differences in surgery or hospitalization rates during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Black patients with CD demonstrated increased complications at baseline and during follow-up in this cohort. Despite more complicated disease, black and white patients with IBD were generally given the same medications and experienced similar rates of hospitalization and surgery during the study period. In our multicenter cohort, clinical outcomes among black and white patients with IBD were similar