Global Burden of Human Mycetoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Mycetoma is a chronic infectious disease of the subcutaneous tissue with a high morbidity. This disease has been reported from countries between 30°N and 15°S since 1840 but the exact burden of disease is not known. It is currently unknown what the incidence, prevalence and the number of reported cases per year per country is. In order to estimate what the global burden of mycetoma is, a meta-analysis was performed. In total 50 studies were included, which resulted in a total of 8763 mycetoma cases. Most cases were found in men between 11 and 40 years of age. The foot was most commonly affected. Most cases were reported from Mexico, Sudan and India. Madurella mycetomatis was the most prevalent causative agent world-wide, followed by Actinomadura madurae, Streptomyces somaliensis, Actinomadura pelletieri, Nocardia brasiliensis and Nocardia asteroides. Although this study represents a first indication of the global burden on mycetoma, the actual burden is probably much higher. In this study only cases reported to literature could be used and most of these cases were found by searching archives from a single hospital in a single city of that country. By erecting (inter)national surveillance programs a more accurate estimation of the global burden on mycetoma can be obtained.     

A revision of the Puerto Rican species of lepanthes (Orchidaceae)

Six species of the orchid speciesLepanthes are described as new. A seventh species,L. sanguined, previously known only from Jamaica, is reported from Puerto Rico. The current misspelling ofL. selenitepala, the only species of the genus previously reported from Puerto Rico, is corrected. A key to the eight Puerto Rican species ofLepanthes is presented, and the value of several interesting taxonomic characters is discussed. The possibility of apogamy in this genus is raised, and detailed biosystematic investigations are indicated as necessary for a complete understanding of the group.     

Lack of association of EGR2 variants with bipolar disorder in Japanese population

The early growth response gene 2 (EGR2) has been recently reported to be associated with bipolar disorder in the Korean population. However replication studies in independent cohorts of same and different ethnicities are essential for establishing the credibility of a genotype–phenotype association. With this notion, in the present study we have performed a replication study of the reported association of SNPs in EGR2 in a case–control study comprising of 867 unrelated Japanese bipolar disorder patients and 895 age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched controls. Results showed no significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of EGR2 SNPs between bipolar disorder patients and controls and also in a sex-stratified genetic analysis. The haplotype and meta-analyses also showed no significant association with bipolar disorder. In conclusion, this is the first replication study of the previously reported association of EGR2 with bipolar disorder in a larger sample set and the results showed that the EGR2 gene is unlikely to contribute to the susceptibility of bipolar disorder in a Japanese cohort.     

Genomic structure and expression of a gene coding for a new fatty acid binding protein from Echinococcus granulosus

This work describes a new gene coding for a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) in the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, named EgFABP2. The complete gene structure, including the promoter sequence, is reported. The genomic coding domain organisation of the previously reported E. granulosus FABP gene (EgFABP1) has been also determined. The corresponding polypeptide chains share 76% of identical residues and an overall 96% of similarity. The two EgFABPs present the highest amino acid homologies with the mammalian FABP subfamily containing heart-FABPs (H-FABPs). The coding sequences of both genes are interrupted by a single intron located in the position of the third intron reported for vertebrate FABP genes. Both genes are expressed in the protoscolex stage of the parasite. The promoter region of EgFABP2 presents several consensus putative cis-acting elements found in other members of the family, suggesting interesting possible mechanisms involved in the host–parasite adaptation.     

Oral–aboral identity displayed in the expression of HpHox3 and HpHox11/13 in the adult rudiment of the sea urchin Holopneustes purpurescens

Hox genes are noted for their roles in specifying axial identity in bilateral forms. In the radial echinoderms, the axis whose identity Hox genes might specify remains unclear. From the expression of Hox genes in the development of the sea urchin Holopneustes purpurescens reported here and that reported previously, we clarify the axis that might be specified by Hox genes in echinoderms. The expression of HpHox11/13 here is described at three developmental stages. The expression is around the rim of the blastopore in gastrulae, in the archenteron wall and adjacent mesoderm in early vestibula larvae, and in a patch of mesoderm close to the archenteron wall in later vestibula larvae. The retained expression of HpHox11/13 in the patch of mesoderm in the later vestibula larvae is, we suggest, indicative of a posterior or an aboral growth zone. The expression of HpHox3 at the echinoid-rudiment stage, in contrast, is in oral mesoderm beneath the epineural folds, concentrated in sites where the first three adult spines form. With the expression of HpHox5 and HpHox11/13 reported previously, the expressions here support the role of Hox genes in specifying oral–aboral identity in echinoderms. How such specification and a posterior growth zone add support to a concept of the structural homology between echinoderms and chordates is discussed.     

Two digeneans from the needlefish Ablennes hians in Kuwait and the description of a new genus and species,Neohaplosplanchnus ablennis (Haplosplanchnidae)

Two digeneans are reported from the intestine of the needlefish Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) from Kuwait. Prolecitha obesa Manter, 1961 is redescribed and an eversible acetabulum and a sinus-sac, not previously reported, are found. The synonymy of P. beloni, Lobatovitelliovarium fusiforme and Follicovitellosum indicum with P. obesa is confirmed and Cryptodiscus indicus is added to the list. Neohaplosplanchnus ablennis n. g., n. sp. is characterized by having a large acetabulum with a longitudinal opening bearing two auricular appendages at its posterior end and by having ‘salivary’ glands. The new genus is attached to the family Haplosplanchnidae, subfamily Pseudoschikhobalotrematinae, and differentiated from other genera of the family. The subfamily Pseudoschikhobalotrematinae is redefined and a key is provided to its genera.     

Hydroxylated glutamic acids in Phlox,lepidium and Rheum species

The two diastereoisomers, (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyglutamic acid and (2S,4S)-4-hydroxyglutamic acid, occur in characteristic concentration ratios in Phlox species. The second of these compounds is the principal free amino acid in the green parts of the plants. The presence of (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyglutamic acid in plants is reported for the first tiine. No other 4-substituted acidic amino acids were detected in the Phlox species analysed, although special attention was paid to the possible presence of 4-hydroxy-4-methylglutamic acids which have previously been reported in plants. It was found, however, that both diastereoisomers of (2S)-4-hydroxy-4-methylglutamic acid co-exist in Ledenbergia roseoaenea and also in Pandanus veitchii. Although the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyglutamic acids in green parts of Lepidium sativum and Rheum rhaponticum has been previously reported, we were not able to detect or isolate any of the possible diastereoisomers from the green parts or seeds of these plants. We did isolate glutathione which was found to have some properties in common with those reported for the dihydroxy compounds.     

A novel phosphoglycerol serine-glycine lipodipeptide of Porphyromonas gingivalis is a TLR2 ligand

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative anaerobic periodontal microorganism strongly associated with tissue-destructive processes in human periodontitis. Following oral infection with P. gingivalis, the periodontal bone loss in mice is reported to require the engagement of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Serine-glycine lipodipeptide or glycine aminolipid classes of P. gingivalis engage human and mouse TLR2, but a novel lipid class reported here is considerably more potent in engaging TLR2 and the heterodimer receptor TLR2/TLR6. The novel lipid class, termed Lipid 1256, consists of a diacylated phosphoglycerol moiety linked to a serine-glycine lipodipeptide previously termed Lipid 654. Lipid 1256 is approximately 50-fold more potent in engaging TLR2 than the previously reported serine-glycine lipid classes. Lipid 1256 also stimulates cytokine secretory responses from peripheral blood monocytes and is recovered in selected oral and intestinal Bacteroidetes organisms. Therefore, these findings suggest that Lipid 1256 may be a microbial TLR2 ligand relevant to chronic periodontitis in humans.     

Floral-Dip Transformation of Flax (Linum usitatissimum) to Generate Transgenic Progenies with a High Transformation Rate

Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation via floral-dip is a widely used technique in the field of plant transformation and has been reported to be successful for many plant species. However, flax (Linum usitatissimum) transformation by floral-dip has not been reported. The goal of this protocol is to establish that Agrobacterium and the floral-dip method can be used to generate transgenic flax. We show that this technique is simple, inexpensive, efficient, and more importantly, gives a higher transformation rate than the current available methods of flax transformation.In summary, inflorescences of flax were dipped in a solution of Agrobacterium carrying a binary vector plasmid (T-DNA fragment plus the Linum Insertion Sequence, LIS-1) for 1 - 2 min. The plants were laid flat on their side for 24 hr. Then, plants were maintained under normal growth conditions until the next treatment. The process of dipping was repeated 2 - 3 times, with approximately 10 - 14 day intervals between dipping. The T1 seeds were collected and germinated on soil. After approximately two weeks, treated progenies were tested by direct PCR; 2 - 3 leaves were used per plant plus the appropriate T-DNA primers. Positive transformants were selected and grown to maturity. The transformation rate was unexpectedly high, with 50 - 60% of the seeds from treated plants being positive transformants. This is a higher transformation rate than those reported for Arabidopsis thaliana and other plant species, using floral-dip transformation. It is also the highest, which has been reported so far, for flax transformation using other methods for transformation.     

FREM1 Mutations Cause Bifid Nose, Renal Agenesis, and Anorectal Malformations Syndrome

An autosomal-recessive syndrome of bifid nose and anorectal and renal anomalies (BNAR) was previously reported in a consanguineous Egyptian sibship. Here, we report the results of linkage analysis, on this family and on two other families with a similar phenotype, which identified a shared region of homozygosity on chromosome 9p22.2-p23. Candidate-gene analysis revealed homozygous frameshift and missense mutations in FREM1, which encodes an extracellular matrix component of basement membranes. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated gene expression of Frem1 in the midline of E11.5 mouse embryos, in agreement with the observed cleft nose phenotype of our patients. FREM1 is part of a ternary complex that includes FRAS1 and FREM2, and mutations of the latter two genes have been reported to cause Fraser syndrome in mice and humans. The phenotypic variability previously reported for different Frem1 mouse mutants suggests that the apparently distinct phenotype of BNAR in humans may represent a previously unrecognized variant of Fraser syndrome.     

Staphylococcus lugdunensis Cultured from the Amniotic Fluid at Caesarean Section

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a virulent coagulase-negative staphylococcus. It behaves like and can be mistaken in culture for Staphylococcus aureus. While originally thought to be a skin commensal rarely responsible for opportunistic infection, it was rapidly established as a significant human pathogen. It has been mainly associated with native and prosthetic valve endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and skin and soft tissue cellulitis, but has also been reported as a cause of fasciitis as well as peritonitis. Staphylococcus lugdunensis has been reported as a cause of endometritis but has not been previously isolated from amniotic fluid. Here, amniotic fluid samples were collected in the course of a larger study on amniotic fluid bacteriology, with prior ethical approval and informed patient consent. Amniotic fluid was obtained at Caesarean Section by direct needle aspiration from the intact amnion. Analysis with Staphylococcal API test kits led to identification of Staphylococcus lugdunensis in two cases. The clinical significance of the finding in these reported cases is undetermined. Staphylococcus lugdunensis has been shown to be a cause of serious and potentially fatal morbidities, but this is the first report of its culture from amniotic fluid. As caesarean delivery is accepted as the single most important factor associated with post-partum infectious complications in both mother and neonate, the identification of this pathogen is a new concern.     

Pediatric Drug Safety Surveillance in FDA-AERS: A Description of Adverse Events from GRiP Project

Individual case safety reports (ICSRs) are a cornerstone in drug safety surveillance. The knowledge on using these data specifically for children is limited. We studied characteristics of pediatric ICSRs reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Public available ICSRs reported in children (0–18 years) to FAERS were downloaded from the FDA-website for the period Jan 2004-Dec 2011. Characteristics of these ICSRs, including the reported drugs and events, were described and stratified by age-groups. We included 106,122 pediatric ICSRs (55% boys and 58% from United States) with a median of 1 drug [range 1–3] and 1 event [1–2] per ICSR. Mean age was 9.1 years. 90% was submitted through expedited (15-days) (65%) or periodic reporting (25%) and 10% by non-manufacturers. The proportion and type of pediatric ICSRs reported were relatively stable over time. Most commonly reported drug classes by decreasing frequency were ‘nervous system drugs’ (58%), ‘antineoplastics’ (32%) and ‘anti-infectives’ (25%). Most commonly reported system organ classes were ‘general’ (13%), ‘nervous system’ (12%) and ‘psychiatric’ (11%) disorders. Duration of use could be calculated for 19.7% of the reported drugs, of which 14.5% concerned drugs being used long-term (>6 months). Knowledge on the distribution of the drug classes and events within FAERS is a key first step in developing pediatric specific methods for drug safety surveillance. Because of several differences in terms of drugs and events among age-categories, drug safety signal detection analysis in children needs to be stratified by each age group.     

Andreaea megistospora and other interesting species from the Spanish bryoflora

Andreaea megistospora B. Murray is newly reported for Spain. New sites are reported for Ulota calvescens Wils., Tayloria tenuis (With.) Schimp., Metzgeria temperata Kuwah. and Frullania oakesiana Aust., very rare species in the Iberian Peninsula. Dicranum crassifolium Sérgio, Ochyra & Séneca is reported for Galicia.     

Flavonoids and Isoflavonoids of Millettia dura and Millettia ferruginea: Phytochemical review and chemotaxonomic values

The phytochemical information on Millettia dura Dunn, M. ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker and M. ferruginea subsp. darassana (Cufod.) J.B. Gillett was reviewed. All the three taxa elaborate mainly isoflavones (33 reported), occurring in the flowers, seeds/seed pods, stem bark and root bark. Out of the 33 isoflavones reported, some 19 (ca. 58%) contain prenyl at C-8 or its modification as 2,2-dimethylchromene ring at C-7/C-8, occurring in all the three taxa. Except for three isoflavones isolated from M. ferruginea subsp. darassana, all the isoflavones of these taxa are 5-deoxygenated. In these taxa, oxygenation at C-6 is a common feature, while isoflavones with C-8 oxygenation are rare, only three reported, and all of these from M. dura. There are 7 rotenoids reported from these taxa, and occur almost entirely in the seeds/seedpods of these plants. The major rotenoid with methylenedioxy group at C-2/C-3, millettone and its 12a-hydroxy derivative, millettosine, occur only in M. dura, this appears to distinguish M. dura from M. ferruginea.     

Redescription and biological aspects ofHormathia alba (Andres, 1881), a luminescent sea anemone (Anthozoa,Actiniaria)

The sea anemoneHormathia alba (Andres, 1881) is redescribed and definitely established as distinct fromH. coronata. Synonymy, external morphology, anatomy and cnidom are treated in detail. Aspects of its reproduction, ecology, distribution and distinctive characteristics are also reported. The species, largely mistaken throughout literature, is rather common on Mediterranean infralittoral soft bottoms. It has also been found in the SW of Ireland. This is the only known sea anemone with luminescence, a feature that has never been reported before.     

Flavonoids with chemotaxonomic significance from Cajanus scarabaeoides

Phytochemical investigation of Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars (Fabaceae) led to the isolation of six compounds. The chemical structures of all compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. All isolates were reported from this species for the first time. The presence of these compounds is consistent with the chemical classes reported from other members of the genus Cajanus. In summary, this study reported six compounds isolated from Cajanus scarabaeoides and discussed the plant chemotaxonomy of Cajanus genus.     

Bronchopulmonary Infection of Lophomonas blattarum: A Case and Literature Review

Human infections with Lophomonas blattarum are rare. However, the majority of the infections occurred in China, 94.4% (136 cases) of all cases in the world. This infection is difficult to differentiate from other pulmonary infections with similar symptoms. Here we reported a case of L. blattarum infection confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid smear on the microscopic observations. The patient was a 21-year-old female college student. The previous case which occurred in Chongqing was 20 years ago. We briefly reviewed on this infection reported in the world during the recent 20 years. The epidemiological characteristics, possible diagnostic basis, and treatment of this disease is discussed in order to provide a better understanding of recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of L. blattarum infection.