TaqI dimorphic site in a human pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) gene localized on chromosome 12

We report the identification of a TaqI dimorphic site in the first intron of a human phospholipase A2 gene that has been localized on chromosome 12. This single two-allele polymorphism was detected by DNA blot hybridization using a full-length, 584 bp human phospholipase A2 cDNA isolated from a human lung gt10 cDNA library. Fragment lengths were detected at either 1.3 kb or 2.2 kb. The PIC value of this dimorphism was 0.369 in a random population of 353 Caucasians.     

Risk factors of peripheral arterial disease: a case control study in Sri Lanka

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important global health problem and contributes to notable proportion of morbidity and mortality. This particular manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis is largely under diagnosed and undertreated. For sustainable preventive strategies in a country, it is mandatory to identify country-specific risk factors. We intended to assess the risk factors of PAD among adults aged 40–74 years.

Methods

This case control study was conducted in 2012–2013 in Sri Lanka. Seventy-nine cases and 158 controls in the age group of 40–74 years were selected for the study in order to have case to control ratio 1:2. The criterion for selecting cases and control was based on Ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI). Cases were selected from those who had ABPI 0.85 or less (ABPI ≤0.85) in either lower limb. Controls were selected from those ABPI score between 1.18 and 1.28 in both lower limbs. Only newly identified individuals with PAD were selected as cases. Controls were selected from the same geographical location and within the 5 year age group as cases.

Results

The history of diabetes mellitus more than 10 years (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.2–14.2), history of dyslipidemia for more than 10 years (OR 4.9, 95% CI 2.1–16.2), history of hypertension for more than 10 years (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.8–12.7) and smoking (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2–6.9), elevated HsCRP (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2–12.0) and hyperhomocysteinemia (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1–8.1) were revealed as country specific significant risk factor of PAD.

Conclusions

Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking as well as elevated homocysteine and HsCRP found as risk factors of PAD. Longer the duration or higher level exposure to these risk factors has increased the risk of PAD. These findings emphasis the need for routine screening of PAD among patients with the identified risk factors.

     

The role of fish-poultry integration on fish growth performance,yields and economic benefits among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa,Tanzania

Aquaculture practices from sub-Saharan Africa are characterised by low production, owing to improper technology. Production can be increased through integrating fish farming with other existing on-farm activities, particularly livestock husbandry. We assessed the role of fish-poultry integration on all male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus growth performance, yields and economic benefits among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Tanzania. The study also compared phytoplankton species composition, abundance and biomass between the fish-poultry integration and non-integrated system. After 180 days of the experiment, all male O. niloticus cultured under fish-poultry integration exhibited significantly higher growth rates than those in the non-integrated system (p < 0.05). Gross fish yield (GFY), net fish yield (NFY) and net annual yields (NAY) obtained from fish-poultry integration were significantly higher than those from non-integrated system (p < 0.05). Partial enterprise budget analysis revealed that fish-poultry integration was more profitable than the non-integrated system. Moreover, fish-poultry integrated system produced significantly higher phytoplankton abundance and biomass than those from the non-integrated system. Results demonstrate that rural smallholder farmers can achieve higher growth rate, farm net yields and income by integrating all male O. niloticus with other on-farm activities than practising a stand-alone fish culture system.     

Effect of toluene diisocyanate and its corresponding amines on viability and growth of human lung fibroblasts in culture

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a highly volatile chemical known to cause occupational asthma in exposed workers. TDI-induced asthma is associated with airway epithelium injury and repair, and subepithelial fibrosis. We investigated the effect of TDI and its hydrolysis products, the 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediamines (TDA), on viability and growth of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) in culture, using a tetrazolium-based cell viability assay. The effects of increasing concentrations of each of these chemicals were evaluated on quiescent cells seeded at two densities (2500 and 5000 cells/well) and treated for 24 or 48 h. TDI (10^–4–10^–5 mol/L, as a mixture of 80% 2,4-TDI and 20% 2,6-TDI) exhibited a partial but significant cytotoxic effect (10–24%, p<0.05) on HLFs. This effect was observed at both cell densities, and was time- and concentration-dependent. 2,4-TDA, at lower concentrations (10^–8–10^–6 mol/L) applied for 48 h, also partially reduced HLF viability (10–15%, p<0.05), whereas it tended to trigger cell growth at concentrations higher than 10^–5 mol/L. 2,6-TDA exhibited both a cytotoxic and a proliferative effect on HLFs that depended on concentration, time of exposure and cell culture density. Significant cytotoxicity was only observed after 24 h of treatment with 10^–7–10^–6 mol/L 2,6-TDA, and reached greater intensity in cells cultured at the highest density. In contrast, 2,6-TDA stimulated HLF growth only after 48 h of incubation at 10^–4 mol/L on cells cultured at the lowest density. Taken together, our results showed that TDI and 2,4-TDA somewhat decreased HLF viability, whereas 2,6-TDA appeared to exhibit both a cytotoxic and a growth stimulatory effect on these cells. TDI and 2,4-TDA are thus suggested to contribute to airway epithelium damage associated with TDI-induced asthma, whereas 2,6-TDA might either trigger epithelial damage or induce cell proliferation that could contribute to epithelium repair or subepithelial fibrosis.     

Mal de Meleda (MDM) caused by mutations in the gene for SLURP-1 in patients from Germany,Turkey, Palestine,and the United Arab Emirates

Mal de Meleda (MDM) or keratosis palmoplantaris transgrediens of Siemens is an autosomal recessive skin disorder characterized by diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and transgressive keratosis with an onset in early infancy. There is no associated involvement of other organs; however, a spectrum of clinical presentations with optional and variable features has been described. Mutations in the ARS (component B)-81/s gene ( LY6LS) on chromosome 8q24-qter, which encodes SLURP-1, have recently been identified in patients with MDM. Here, we have analyzed four MDM families for mutations in SLURP-1. In a large Palestinian pedigree with multiple consanguinity, patients are homozygous for a new mutation that substitutes an arginine for a conserved glycine residue at position 86. A different mutation in Turkish patients results in the same amino acid exchange. Some remarkable similarities are seen in the clinical picture of patients from both families. Patients of an Emirati Bedouin family have a homozygous alteration of the translation initiation codon. In a German family with no known consanguinity, we have shown pseudodominant inheritance. Three affected children and their affected mother are homozygous for the missense mutation W15R. Our findings indicate that the MDM type of transgressive PPK is caused by SLURP-1 mutations in patients from various origins and demonstrate allelic heterogeneity for mutations in SLURP-1.