Comparative Genomics of the Anopheline Glutathione S-Transferase Epsilon Cluster

Enzymes of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family play critical roles in detoxification of xenobiotics across many taxa. While GSTs are ubiquitous both in animals and plants, the GST epsilon class (GSTE) is insect-specific and has been associated with resistance to chemical insecticides. While both Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae GSTE clusters consist of eight members, only four putative orthologs are identifiable between the species, suggesting independent expansions of the class in each lineage. We used a primer walking approach, sequencing almost the entire cluster from three Anopheles species (An. stephensi, An. funestus (both Cellia subgenus) and An. plumbeus (Anopheles subgenus)) and compared the sequences to putative orthologs in An. gambiae (Cellia) in an attempt to trace the evolution of the cluster within the subfamily Anophelinae. Furthermore, we measured transcript levels from the identified GSTE loci by real time reverse transcription PCR to determine if all genes were similarly transcribed at different life stages. Among the species investigated, gene order and orientation were similar with three exceptions: (i) GSTE1 was absent in An. plumbeus; (ii) GSTE2 is duplicated in An. plumbeus and (iii) an additional transcriptionally active pseudogene (ψAsGSTE2) was found in An. stephensi. Further statistical analysis and protein modelling gave evidence for positive selection on codons of the catalytic site in GSTE5 albeit its origin seems to predate the introduction of chemical insecticides. Gene expression profiles revealed differences in expression pattern among genes at different life stages. With the exception of GSTE1, ψAsGSTE2 and GSTE2b, all Anopheles species studied share orthologs and hence we assume that GSTE expansion generally predates radiation into subgenera, though the presence of GSTE1 may also suggest a recent duplication event in the Old World Cellia subgenus, instead of a secondary loss. The modifications of the catalytic site within GSTE5 may represent adaptations to new habitats

Functional expression of mammalian opioid receptors in insect cells and high-throughput screening platforms for receptor ligand mimetics

Lepidopteran cell lines have been engineered to constitutively express high levels of mouse δ opioid receptors either alone or in combination with human Gα16 protein. Biochemical and pharmacological studies demonstrate that these lines contain all the mediator G proteins and downstream effectors required for opioid receptor function, including phospholipase C, and that expression of exogenous Gα16 does not contribute significantly to increased receptor responses upon activation. The activation of the phospholipase C pathway in the transformed cells upon stimulation with known receptor ligands results in easily and quantitatively measurable increases in free intracellular calcium, which can be monitored by automated fluorescent methods, while the addition of specific antagonists blocks the agonist-induced responses. Therefore, the transformed lepidopteran cell lines can be used as sensitive high-throughput screening platforms for fast detection of δ opioid receptor ligand mimetics (agonists and antagonists) in collections of natural products and synthetic compounds. © Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, 2005

Evaluation of depression in patients with heart failure

Background: Despite advances in medical therapy heart failure consists a prevalent debilitating disease of poor prognosis, strongly associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. On the same time, depression rates are higher in patients with heart failure than in the general population. Depression may be underdiagnosed and consequently undertreated in the patients, as symptoms can often be similar in the two disease states. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the frequency of occurrence of depression in patients with heart failure and to evaluate possible precipitating factors. Method and material: Study sample consisted of 139 patients with heart failure, who were hospitalized or visited outpatients' clinics in two major hospitals in Athens. Collection of data was performed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Statistical analyses (Student's t-test, One-way ANOVA) were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 13.0 (SPSS, Chicago, Il, USA). Results: 110 patients (79.1%) were male and only 29 patients were female, over the age of 40. 71.9% were outpatients, 20.2% were hospitalized in the departments of cardiology, while 7.9% were I.C.U. patients. Analysis of data showed that 34.6% of patients scored lower than 40 in Zung Self-Rating Scale, indicating absence of depression, 27.3% scored 40 to 47, indicating mild depression, 20.9% scored 48 to 55, indicating moderate depression, and 17.2% scored over 56, indicating severe depression. More specifically, it was found that, regarding patients' gender and age, women (p=0.001) and patients over the age of 60 (p=0.001) experienced higher levels of depression, while regarding educational background patients who received only basic education may have been more prone to depression (p=0.05, non-significant). In addition, higher levels of depression were observed for those retired (p=0.028), those living in metropolitan areas (p=0.021), patients at 2 or 3 stage of heart failure (p<0.001), patients who had been diagnosed for over 1 year (p=0.032), as well as those who reported that were less informed about the extent of their condition (p=0.001). Conclusions: The majority of patients with heart failure experience various levels of depression. The main precipitating factors are age, gender, educational and economic status, place of residence, amount of receiving information as well as the stage and the onset of the disease. Nurses and physicians must act towards identification, assessment and management of depression in this clinical population

Investigation of Quality of Life Determinants in Children with Food Allergies

Background: Food allergy (FA) in children impacts their own and their family quality of life (QoL). The association of specific FA factors with the various domains of health-related QoL (HRQL) in children is unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate FA characteristics in primary school children as determinants of components of HRQL. Methods: Children with FA were recruited from the allergy clinic of a tertiary children&apos;s hospital. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from their records, and 3 HRQL questionnaires were administered: the FA QoL Questionnaire-Child Form (FAQLQ-CF), the FA independent measure (FAIM), and the Pediatric QoL Questionnaire (PedsQL™). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to investigate the correlation between FA characteristics and the scores on the HRQL scales. Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was set at p &lt; 0.0002. Results: Of 172 primary schoolchildren with FA invited to take part, 110 participated (response rate 64%), of whom 83 (75.5%) were male, aged 7.5-12.3 years (mean 10.0 ± 1.4) years. From 38 demographic and clinical characteristics, 10 were excluded on initial data analysis and 28 proceeded to bivariate analysis with the scores on FAQLQ-CF, FAIM, PedsQL™, and their subscales. Most of the 28 showed no correlation with the scores; only 4 were entered into multivariate analysis with FAQLQ-CF and PedsQL™ scores, none of which, finally showed significant association. Conclusion: The HRQL of children with FA did not depend on gender, age, number, and type of allergen or the characteristics of the most severe allergic reaction. © 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel. Copyright: All rights reserved

Psychological services for food allergy: The unmet need for patients and families in the United Kingdom

Research over the past 20 years has demonstrated the significant impact food allergy can have on quality of life and mental health of patients and their families, yet there is a paucity of psychological services to support families in coping with this condition. This paper provides a short overview of the psychological impact of food allergy, followed by a discussion of the use of paediatric psychological services for long-term conditions. To our knowledge, few paediatric allergy clinics in the UK have funding for dedicated clinical psychology services. Two such services are based at Southampton General Hospital and the Evelina London Children's Hospital. This paper includes descriptions of these services and how they are currently being used by patients and families. This is followed by an allergy clinician's perspective on the use of psychological services. Recommendations are made for allergy services to work with hospital psychology services to develop, integrate and deliver psychological services for all patients with allergy and their families who are in need. Future research also needs to focus on the efficacy of psychological therapies and group interventions in food allergy