La schistosomose urinaire dans le massif saharien de l'Aïr (République du Niger)

Dans deux villages de l'Aïr (République du Niger), les auteurs ont trouvé une prévalence globale de #Schistosoma haematobium$de 24,1$ est l'hôte intermédiaire des schistosomes. Le rôle de ce mollusque dans la transmission de la schistosomose urinaire à Timia n'a pas été mis en évidence. Cemio de #Bulinus senegalensis$ présent dans les deux localités reste encore à préciser. (Résumé d'auteur

Empowering Women through SHGs – Evidence from a Case Study of SHGs in Imphal East District, Manipur

In recent years, traditional literature implies that women are empowered when they can exercise choices and are aware of alternatives, microfinance being one of the most important catalysts. However, doubts about the long term viability of SHGs as a model for supply of micro credit to low income groups of women have risen, as for SHGs-Bank linkage model to remain viable as long as long term key support and maintenance services must be provided to individual community group-level bodies, and their costs recovered. It is found that even though women have experienced an increase in income and consumption, they have very little control over resources, assets and do not participate equally in major household decisions. However, they have significant influence on the choices that their children make. The paper made an empirical study of SHGs in Imphal East, Manipur as a case for illustration. The study shows that microfinance and SHG is very closely related and is considered as two sides of the same coin. This study attempts to understand the impact of microfinance on women empowerment through a case study in study of SHGs in Imphal East, Manipur as a case for illustration. The success and failures of SHGs to achieve the goal of socio-economic empowerment of women have been evaluated and lessons and evidences learnt have been incorporated in the paper. The study has covered the specific constraints and challenges of SHGs, and policy prescriptions to address the specific problems are suggested

Inherited coding variants at the CDKN2A locus influence susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children

There is increasing evidence from genome-wide association studies for a strong inherited genetic basis of susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children, yet the effects of protein-coding variants on ALL risk have not been systematically evaluated. Here we show a missense variant in CDKN2A associated with the development of ALL at genome-wide significance (rs3731249, P=9.4 × 10(-23), odds ratio=2.23). Functional studies indicate that this hypomorphic variant results in reduced tumour suppressor function of p16(INK4A), increases the susceptibility to leukaemic transformation of haematopoietic progenitor cells, and is preferentially retained in ALL tumour cells. Resequencing the CDKN2A-CDKN2B locus in 2,407 childhood ALL cases reveals 19 additional putative functional germline variants. These results provide direct functional evidence for the influence of inherited genetic variation on ALL risk, highlighting the important and complex roles of CDKN2A-CDKN2B tumour suppressors in leukaemogenesis.Heng Xu, Hui Zhang, Wenjian Yang, Rachita Yadav, Alanna C. Morrison, Maoxiang Qian, Meenakshi Devidas, Yu Liu, Virginia Perez-Andreu, Xujie Zhao, Julie M. Gastier-Foster, Philip J. Lupo, Geoff Neale, Elizabeth Raetz, Eric Larsen, W. Paul Bowman, William L. Carroll, Naomi Winick, Richard Williams, Torben Hansen, Jens-Christian Holm, Elaine Mardis, Robert Fulton, Ching-Hon Pui, Jinghui Zhang, Charles G. Mullighan, William E. Evans, Stephen P. Hunger, Ramneek Gupta, Kjeld Schmiegelow, Mignon L. Loh, Mary V. Relling, Jun J. Yan

DNA Binding, Photo Cleavage Mechanism and in Silico Docking Studies of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Schiff’s Base Derivatives, Their Synthesis and Characterization

The present study emphasizes on the synthesis and biological activity of the 1,3,4- substitute Schiffs base derivatives 5(a-f). In silico docking studies were performed to analyse the efficiency of the synthesized compounds for their antimicrobial, DNA binding cleavage potential and acute toxicity properties. Results of the study highlight that the compounds 5c, 5a, and 5e are comparatively more significant bioactive molecules among the synthesized compounds with minimal toxic effects. Further, the hypothesis of the docking studies was evaluated by in vitro antimicrobial, and the DNA binding cleavage efficiency of the synthesized compounds 5(a-f) with Circulating Tumour DNA (CT-DNA) was examined through UV absorption and viscosity measurement studies. The study results reveal that the compound firmly binds via interactive mode with CT-DNA and provides a distinctive DNA binding pattern. The study results justified the hypothesis made through docking and proved it as a potent bioactive molecule

Ageing, urban marginality, and health in Ghana

The world’s population is rapidly ageing. Global estimates for the next three decades indicate a two-fold increase in the population of older adults aged ≥60 years. Nearly 80% of this growth will occur in low and middle-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where population health is already under threat from poverty, degraded environments, and deficient healthcare systems. Although the world’s poorest region, sub-Saharan Africa, ironically, will witness the fastest growth in older populations, rising by 64% over the next 15 years. Indications are that the majority of this population will live in resource-poor settings, characterized by deficient housing and neighbourhood conditions. Yet, very little research has systematically examined the health and wellbeing of older adults in such settings. Drawing on the ecological theory of ageing, the present study explores the living conditions and quality of life of elderly slum dwellers in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country with a growing population of older adults. Data collection was undertaken in two phases in two environmentally contrasting neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. In Phase 1, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of older adults in a slum community (n = 302) and a non-slum neighbourhood (n = 301), using the World Health Organization quality of life assessment tool (WHOQoL-BREF). The survey data were complemented in Phase 2 with qualitative interviews involving a sample of community dwelling older adults (N = 30), health service providers (N = 5), community leaders (N = 2), and policymakers (N = 5). Preliminary analysis of the survey data revealed statistically significant differences in the social and environment domains of quality of life, while the qualitative data identified multiple health barriers and facilitators in the two neighbourhoods. Insights from the research are expected to inform health and social interventions for older slum dwellers in Ghana

Genomic analyses identify recurrent MEF2D fusions in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Chromosomal rearrangements are initiating events in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Here using RNA sequencing of 560 ALL cases, we identify rearrangements between MEF2D (myocyte enhancer factor 2D) and five genes (BCL9, CSF1R, DAZAP1, HNRNPUL1 and SS18) in 22 B progenitor ALL (B-ALL) cases with a distinct gene expression profile, the most common of which is MEF2D-BCL9. Examination of an extended cohort of 1,164 B-ALL cases identified 30 cases with MEF2D rearrangements, which include an additional fusion partner, FOXJ2; thus, MEF2D-rearranged cases comprise 5.3% of cases lacking recurring alterations. MEF2D-rearranged ALL is characterized by a distinct immunophenotype, DNA copy number alterations at the rearrangement sites, older diagnosis age and poor outcome. The rearrangements result in enhanced MEF2D transcriptional activity, lymphoid transformation, activation of HDAC9 expression and sensitive to histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment. Thus, MEF2D-rearranged ALL represents a distinct form of high-risk leukaemia, for which new therapeutic approaches should be considered

PRC2 loss induces chemoresistance by repressing apoptosis in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The tendency of mitochondria to undergo or resist BCL2-controlled apoptosis (so-called mitochondrial priming) is a powerful predictor of response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Fully exploiting this finding will require unraveling the molecular genetics underlying phenotypic variability in mitochondrial priming. Here, we report that mitochondria) apoptosis resistance in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is mediated by inactivation of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). In T-ALL clinical specimens, loss-of-function mutations of PRC2 core components (EZH2, FED, or SUZ12) were associated with mitochondrial apoptosis resistance. In T-ALL cells, PRC2 depletion induced resistance to apoptosis induction by multiple chemotherapeutics with distinct mechanisms of action. PRC2 loss induced apoptosis resistance via transcriptional up-regulation of the LIM domain transcription factor CRIP2 and downstream up-regulation of the mitochondrial chaperone TRAP1. These findings demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial apoptotic priming as a prognostic factor in T-ALL and implicate mitochondrial chaperone function as a molecular determinant of chemotherapy response

Cribado de la actividad hipoglucémica in vitro de Murraya koenigii y Catharanthus roseu

Objective: The study aimed to verify the hypoglycemic effect of Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) and Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) by using various in-vitro techniques. Method: The extracts were studied for their effects on glucose adsorption capacity, in-vitro glucose diffusion, in-vitro amylolysis kinetics and glucose transport across the yeast cells. Results: It was observed that the extracts of M. koenigii and C. roseus adsorbed glucose and the adsorption of glucose increased remarkably with an increase in glucose concentration. There were no significant (p≤0.05) differences between their adsorption capacities. In the amylolysis kinetic experimental model the rate of glucose diffusion was found to be increased with time from 30 to 180 min and both the plant extracts exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the movement of glucose into external solution across the dialysis membrane as compared to control. The extracts also promoted glucose uptake by the yeast cells and the enhancement of glucose uptake was dependent on both the sample and glucose concentration. The extract of M. koenigii exhibited significantly higher (p≤0.05) activity than the extract of C. roseus at all concentrations used in the study. Our report suggests the mechanism(s) for the hypoglycemic effect of M. koenigii and C. roseus. Conclusion: The said effect was observed to be mediated by inhibiting alpha amylase, inhibiting glucose diffusion by adsorbing glucose and by increasing glucose transport across the cell membranes as revealed by in-vitro model of yeast cells. However, these effects need to be affirmed by using different in vivo models and clinical trials.Objetivo: El estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar el efecto hipoglucémico de Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) y Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) mediante el uso de diversas técnicas in vitro. Método: Los extractos se estudiaron por sus efectos sobre la capacidad de adsorción de glucosa, la difusión de glucosa in vitro, la cinética de amilolisis in vitro y el transporte de glucosa a través de las células de levadura. Resultados: se observó que los extractos de M. koenigii y C. roseus adsorbieron glucosa y la adsorción de glucosa aumentó notablemente con un aumento en la concentración de glucosa. No hubo diferencias significativas (p≤0.05) entre sus capacidades de adsorción. En el modelo experimental cinético de amilolisis, se encontró que la velocidad de difusión de glucosa aumentaba con el tiempo de 30 a 180 min y ambos extractos de planta exhibían efectos inhibitorios significativos sobre el movimiento de la glucosa hacia la solución externa a través de la membrana de diálisis en comparación con el control. Los extractos también promovieron la absorción de glucosa por las células de levadura y la mejora de la captación de glucosa dependió tanto de la muestra como de la concentración de glucosa. El extracto de M. koenigii exhibió una actividad significativamente mayor (p≤0.05) que el extracto de C. roseus en todas las concentraciones utilizadas en el estudio. Nuestro informe sugiere el mecanismo (s) para el efecto hipoglucemiante de M. koenigii y C. roseus. Conclusión: Se observó que dicho efecto estaba mediado por la inhibición de la alfa amilasa, la inhibición de la difusión de glucosa por la adsorción de glucosa y el aumento del transporte de glucosa a través de las membranas celulares según lo revelado por el modelo in vitro de células de levadura. Sin embargo, estos efectos deben ser afirmados mediante el uso de diferentes modelos in vivo y ensayos clínicos