Copper binding alters the core structure of amyloid fibrils formed by Y145Stop human prion protein.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (or prion diseases) such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, mad cow disease, and scrapie are characterized by accumulation in the brain of misfolded prion protein aggregates (PrP) that have properties of amyloid fibrils. Given that transition metal ions, such as copper and zinc, appear to be important for physiological functions of cellular PrP (PrP) as well as for prion disease pathogenesis, exploring their role in the protein aggregation process is of considerable interest. Copper(II) in particular is well-known to bind to the four tandem octapeptide repeats (PHGGGWGQ) located in the N-terminal region of PrP (human PrP amino acids 60-91), as well as to additional histidine binding sites outside the octarepeat region with distinct binding modes depending on Cu concentration.

Guidelines from an expert panel for the management of diabetic macular edema in the Malaysian population.

Aim: To derive a Malaysia guideline and consensus as part of the Malaysia Retina Group's efforts for diagnosis, treatment, and best practices of diabetic macular edema (DME). The experts' panel suggests that the treatment algorithm to be divided into groups according to involvement the central macula. The purpose of DME therapy is to improve edema and achieve the best visual results with the least amount of treatment load.

Diabetic macular oedema: evidence-based treatment recommendations for Asian countries.

Diabetic macular oedema is the most common cause of diabetic retinopathy-induced vision loss. Efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in diabetic macular oedema has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. An Asian-specific guideline for diabetic macular oedema treatment is needed as patients in Asia tend to present with far more advanced disease than seen elsewhere in the world.

Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Choroidal Neovascularization in Best's Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy in a 6-Year-Old Boy.

A 6-year-old boy with a family history of Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy presented with a unilateral choroidal neovascularization. He responded well to a single injection of intravitreal ranibizumab. His visual acuity improved from 6/18 to 6/9 in the affected eye.

Analysis of foveal avascular zone in colour fundus images for grading of diabetic retinopathy severity.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight threatening complication due to diabetes mellitus that affects the retina. At present, the classification of DR is based on the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity. In this paper, FAZ enlargement with DR progression is investigated to enable a new and an effective grading protocol DR severity in an observational clinical study.

Plasticity in salt tolerance traits allows for invasion of novel habitat by Japanese knotweed s. l. (Fallopia japonica and F.xbohemica, Polygonaceae).

Japanese knotweeds are among the most invasive organisms in the world. Their recent expansion into salt marsh habitat provides a unique opportunity to investigate how invasives establish in new environments. We used morphology, cytology, and AFLP genotyping to identify taxa and clonal diversity in roadside and salt marsh populations.

Chemoreduction for intraocular retinoblastoma in Malaysia.

In the last decade, chemotherapy in combination with focal therapy (chemoreduction) has been increasingly used in intraocular retinoblastoma to avoid enucleation and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcome of chemoreduction in Malaysian children with retinoblastoma. This was a prospective study from August 2001 to January 2006.

Laboratory investigation of the toxicity and interaction of pesticide mixtures in Daphnia magna.

The probabilistic ecological risk assessment-toxic equivalent (PERA-TE) combination approach is a relatively new risk assessment approach used to assess the toxicity and interaction of chemical mixtures. The validity and effectiveness of the PERA-TE combination approach has been tested previously in field microcosm studies using pesticide mixtures. The related laboratory studies described here, using Daphnia magna, were conducted to verify the conclusions made regarding the toxicity and interaction of the mixtures tested in the microcosms.

Toxicity of a complex mixture of atmospherically transported pesticides to Ceriodaphnia dubia.

The presence of several anthropogenic chemicals has been documented in the atmosphere of the Canadian prairies. The deposition of these chemicals as a mixture is of importance since little is known of the combined effects of these chemicals on aquatic organisms. This study was designed to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicity of a complex mixture of nine atmospherically transported pesticides to Ceriodaphnia dubia.