Paracanthocobitis putaoensis, a new loach species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the Irrawaddy basin in northern Myanmar.

Paracanthocobitis putaoensis sp. nov. is described based on analysis of morphological and molecular data (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I-COI).

Two new species of loaches from the Irrawaddy River basin, Chin State, Myanmar (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae).

Schistura falamensis, a new species of nemacheilid loach, is described from the main channel of the Manipur River in the Irrawaddy River basin, Chin State, western Myanmar. It differs from other congeners of the genus Schistura by a combination of the following characters: 5-8 vertical bars on body; indistinct bars in front of dorsal-fin origin; bars on posterior part of body regular, twice as wide as interspace; black caudal basal bar dissociated, short, not reaching ventral extremity; males with suborbital flap; lateral line complete; and processus dentiformis weak. Schistura altuscauda is a new species described from the Htin stream, Mindat Town, Chin State, Myanmar.

Chikungunya Virus Infection in Blood Donors and Patients During Outbreak, Mandalay, Myanmar, 2019.

In 2019, an outbreak of chikungunya virus infection occurred in Mandalay, Myanmar, and 3.2% of blood donors and 20.5% of patients who were children were confirmed as being infected.

Short-chain aldehyde-derived ligands for RAGE and their actions on endothelial cells.

The formation and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) have been implicated in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Their biological responses are known to be mediated by the receptor for AGE (RAGE). Recently, AGE have been proposed to be derived not only from the classical Maillard reaction but also from other pathways of sugar autoxidation and metabolism.

RAGE control of diabetic nephropathy in a mouse model: effects of RAGE gene disruption and administration of low-molecular weight heparin.

Diabetic nephropathy is a major microvascular complication in long-standing diabetic patients who eventually undergo renal dialysis or transplantation. To prevent development of this disease and to improve advanced kidney injury, effective therapies directed toward the key molecular target are required. In this study, we examined whether inhibition of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) could attenuate changes in the diabetic kidney.

Identification of mouse orthologue of endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end-products: structure, function and expression.

The cell-surface RAGE [receptor for AGE (advanced glycation end-products)] is associated with the development of diabetic vascular complications, neurodegenerative disorders and inflammation. Recently, we isolated a human RAGE splice variant, which can work as a decoy receptor for RAGE ligands, and named it esRAGE (endogenous secretory RAGE). In the present study, we have isolated the murine equivalent of esRAGE from brain polysomal poly(A)+ (polyadenylated) RNA by RT (reverse transcription)-PCR cloning.

Blockade of diabetic vascular injury by controlling of AGE-RAGE system.

Vascular complications result in disabilities and short life expectancy in diabetic patients. During prolonged hyperglycemic exposure, non-enzymatically glycated protein derivatives termed advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) are formed at an accelerated rate and accumulated in blood and in tissues. Studies performed in vitro and in vivo revealed AGE and their receptor RAGE as the major accounts for vascular cell derangement characteristic of diabetes.

The AGE-RAGE system and diabetic nephropathy.

As is diabetes itself, diabetic vasculopathy is a multifactor disease. Studies revealed advanced glycation end products (AGE) as the major environmental account for vascular cell derangement characteristic of diabetes and the receptor for AGE (RAGE) as the major genic factor that responds to them. AGE fractions that caused the vascular derangement were proved to be RAGE ligands.