Genetic deletions and high diversity of histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3 genes in parasite populations in Ghana.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used to diagnose malaria in Ghana and other malaria endemic countries. histidine-rich protein 2 (PFHRP2 based RDTs are widely used, however the occurrence of deletions of the gene in some parasites have resulted in false negative test results. Monoclonal antibodies of PFHRP2 cross reacts with PFHRP3 because they share structural similarities and this complements the detection of the parasites by RDT.

UCHL1, a deubiquitinating enzyme, regulates lung endothelial cell permeability in vitro and in vivo.

Increasing evidence suggests an important role for deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in modulating a variety of biological functions and diseases. We previously identified the upregulation of the DUB ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) in murine ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). However, the role of UCHL1 in modulating vascular permeability, a cardinal feature of acute lung injury (ALI) in general, remains unclear.

Endothelial eNAMPT amplifies pre-clinical acute lung injury: efficacy of an eNAMPT-neutralising monoclonal antibody.

Rationale: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2/coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has highlighted the serious unmet need for effective therapies that reduce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mortality. We explored whether extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT), a ligand for Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and a master regulator of innate immunity and inflammation, is a potential ARDS therapeutic target.

Methods: Wild-type C57BL/6J or endothelial cell (EC)-c knockout mice (targeted EC deletion) were exposed to either a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ("one-hit") or a combined LPS/ventilator ("two-hit")-induced acute inflammatory lung injury model.

Zika virus disease-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome-Barranquilla, Colombia 2015-2016.

Background: An outbreak of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a disorder characterized by acute, symmetric limb weakness with decreased or absent deep-tendon reflexes, was reported in Barranquilla, Colombia, after the introduction of Zika virus in 2015. We reviewed clinical data for GBS cases in Barranquilla and performed a case-control investigation to assess the association of suspect and probable Zika virus disease with GBS.

Methods: We used the Brighton Collaboration Criteria to confirm reported GBS patients in Barranquilla during October 2015-April 2016.

The Consequences of Overlapping G-Quadruplexes and i-Motifs in the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor β Core Promoter Nuclease Hypersensitive Element Can Explain the Unexpected Effects of Mutations and Provide Opportunities for Selective Targeting of Both Structures by Small Molecules To Downregulate Gene Expression.

The platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β) signaling pathway is a validated and important target for the treatment of certain malignant and nonmalignant pathologies. We previously identified a G-quadruplex-forming nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) in the human PDGFR-β promoter that putatively forms four overlapping G-quadruplexes. Therefore, we further investigated the structures and biological roles of the G-quadruplexes and i-motifs in the PDGFR-β NHE with the ultimate goal of demonstrating an alternate and effective strategy for molecularly targeting the PDGFR-β pathway.