Comparison of genovars and Chlamydia trachomatis infection loads in ocular samples from children in two distinct cohorts in Sudan and Morocco

Trachoma is a blinding disease caused by repeated conjunctival infection with different Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) genovars. Ct B genovars have been associated with more severe trachoma symptoms. Here, we investigated associations between Ct genovars and bacterial loads in ocular samples from two distinct geographical locations in Africa, which are currently unclear. We tested ocular swabs from 77 Moroccan children (28 with trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and 49 healthy controls), and 96 Sudanese children (54 with TF and 42 healthy controls) with a Ct-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. To estimate bacterial loads, Ct-positive samples were further processed by multiplex real-time qPCR to amplify the chromosomal outer membrane complex B and plasmid open reading frame 2 of Ct. Genotyping was performed by PCR-based amplification of the outer membrane protein A gene (~1120 base pairs) of Ct and Sanger sequencing. Ct-positivities among the Moroccan and Sudanese patient groups were 60·7% and 31·5%, respectively. Significantly more Sudanese patients than Moroccan patients were genovar A-positive. In contrast, B genovars were significantly more prevalent in Moroccan patients than in Sudanese patients. Significantly higher Ct loads were found in samples positive for B genovars (598596) than A genovar (51005). Geographical differences contributed to the distributions of different ocular Ct genovars. B genovars may induce a higher bacterial load than A genovars in trachoma patients. Our findings emphasize the importance of conducting broader studies to elucidate if the noted difference in multiplication abilities are genovar and/or endemicity level dependent.     

Quality control of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma brassicae(Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae)over 45 generations of rearing on Sitotroga cerealella

Trichogramma brassicae(Bezdenko)is an important biological control agent that has been used widely against many lepidopteran pests.Commonly,colonies of Tri-chog...     

Dosimetric effect of limited aperture multileaf collimator on VMAT plan quality: A study of prostate and head-and-neck cancers

Aim

The aim of study was to evaluate the dosimetric effect of collimator-rotation on VMAT plan quality, when using limited aperture multileaf collimator of Elekta Beam Modulator? providing a maximum aperture of 21 cm × 16 cm.

Direct evidence of lipid translocation between adipocytes and prostate cancer cells with imaging FTIR microspectroscopy

Various epidemiological studies show a positive correlation between high intake of dietary FAs and metastatic prostate cancer (CaP). Moreover, CaP metastasizes to the bone marrow, which harbors a rich source of lipids stored within adipocytes. Here, we use Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy to study adipocyte biochemistry and to demonstrate that PC-3 cells uptake isotopically labeled FA [deuterated palmitic acid (D(31)-PA)] from an adipocyte. Using this vibrational spectroscopic technique, we detected subcellular locations in a single adipocyte enriched with D(31)-PA using the upsilon(as+s)(C-D)(2+3) (D(31)-PA): upsilon(as+s)(C-H)(2+3) (lipid hydrocarbon) signal. In addition, larger adipocytes were found to consist of a higher percentage of D(31)-PA of the total lipid found within the adipocyte. Following background subtraction, the upsilon(as)(C-D)(2+3) signal illuminated starved PC-3 cells cocultured with D(31)-PA-loaded adipocytes, indicating translocation of the labeled FA. This study demonstrates lipid-specific translocation between adipocytes and tumor cells and the use of FTIR microspectroscopy to characterize various biomolecular features of a single adipocyte without the requirement for cell isolation and lipid extraction.     

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis,Leptospirosis, and Q Fever among Butchers and Slaughterhouse Workers in South-Eastern Iran

Zoonotic diseases can be occupational hazards to people who work in close contact with animals or their carcasses. In this cross-sectional study, 190 sera were collected from butchers and slaughterhouse workers in different regions of the Sistan va Baluchestan province, in Iran in 2011. A questionnaire was filled for each participant to document personal and behavioural information. The sera were tested for detection of specific IgG antibodies against brucellosis, leptospirosis, and Q fever (phase I and II) using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The seroprevalence of brucellosis was 7.9%, leptospirosis 23.4%, and phase I and II of Q fever were 18.1% and 14.4%, respectively. The seroprevalence of Q fever and leptospirosis, but not brucellosis, varied among regions within the province (p = 0.01). Additionally, a significant relationship was found between seropositivity of Q fever and camel slaughtering (p = 0.04). Reduced seropositivity rate of brucellosis was associated with use of personal protective equipment (PPE) (p = 0.004). This study shows that brucellosis, leptospirosis and Q fever occur among butchers and slaughterhouse workers in this area.     

SMAD4 contributes to chondrocyte and osteocyte development

Different cellular and molecular mechanisms contribute to chondrocyte and osteocyte development. Although vital roles of the mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (also called ‘SMAD4’) have been discussed in different cancers and stem cell‐related studies, there are a few reviews summarizing the roles of this protein in the skeletal development and bone homeostasis. In order to fill this gap, we discuss the critical roles of SMAD4 in the skeletal development. To this end, we review the different signalling pathways and also how SMAD4 defines stem cell features. We also elaborate how the epigenetic factors—ie DNA methylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNAs—make a contribution to the chondrocyte and osteocyte development. To better grasp the important roles of SMAD4 in the cartilage and bone development, we also review the genotype‐phenotype correlation in animal models. This review helps us to understand the importance of the SMAD4 in the chondrocyte and bone development and the potential applications for therapeutic goals.