Rheumatoid Factor, Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide and HLA-B Locus Antigens in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients in Bangladesh

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is established as a multifactorial disease resulting from a complex interplay between genetic, environmental and immunological factors. It is a seronegative arthritis but rheumatoid factor may be present in up to 15% of PsA patients Antibodies recognizing a cyclic citrullinated peptide are highly speciûc for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but their role in PsA remains unclear. An increased prevalence of anti-CCP antibody in PsA is also reported. Study shows that HLA-DRB1 shared epitope is signiûcantly associated with the presence of anti-CCP antibody in PsA patients but this type of association is not found with other human leukocyte antigens. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of anti-CCP and RF in PsA patients and their associations with HLA-B locus antigens. Methods: In this cross sectional study, we selected 50 unrelated consecutive patients with PsA according to CASPAR criteria for PsA. 6 ml of blood was collected from each patient for HLAB locus typing, RA test and test for anti-CCP. Patient’s serum samples were tested for RF by Nephelometric system and tests for anti-CCP were done by ELISA. HLA-B locus typing was done by PCR with sequence specific primer. Results: Among 50 PsA patients, 27 (54%) are female and 23 (46%) are male. RA test is positive in 10 (20%) patients and anti-CCP is positive in 7 (14%) patients. Significant association was found between HLA-B*37 and RF (p value= < 0.001). Conclusion: RF is present in 10 (20%) and anti-CCP is present in 7 (14%) PsA patients. HLAB* 37 was significantly found in RF positive patients. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2020; 12(2): 109-114

PENGARUH LOCUS OF CONTROL DAN DUKUNGAN SEBAYA TERHADAP RESIKO DEPRESI PADA ORANG DENGAN HIV/AIDS DI KDS FRIENDSHIP PLUS KOTA KEDIRI

Pendahuluan: Kejadian HIV/AIDS cenderung semakin meningkat dengan angka kematian yang tinggi, epideminya saat ini telah melanda seluruh negara serta semua lapisan penduduk, masalah sosial akan lebih memperberat kondisi psikis ODHA dalam stress dan depresi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis pengaruh locus of control dan dukungan sebaya terhadap resiko depresi di KDS Friendship plus Kota Kediri. Metode: Jenis penelitian ini adalah analitik observasional dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada tanggal 23 – 24 April 2020. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik simpel random sampling sebanyak 45 subjek penelitian. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuisioner, analisis mengunakan regresi linier berganda. Hasil: Pengaruh locus of control p=0.001 (29.8%). Pengaruh dukungan sebaya p=0.001 (52%). Pengaruh locus of control dan dukungan sebaya (p=0.001<0.005), 54% resiko depresi pada ODHA di pengaruhi oleh faktor locus of control dan dukungan sebaya, nilai koefisien regresi (b) locus of control -0.79 dan nilai koefisien regresi (b) dukungan sebaya – 1.07 (LoC b = -0.31;CI 95% = -0.674 s/d -0.42; p = 0.001; dukungan sebaya b = -0.89; CI 95% =-1.26 s/d -0.53, p=0.001). Kesimpulan: Ada pengaruh locus of control dan dukungan sebaya terhadap resiko depresi pada ODHA. Kata kunci: Dukungan Sebaya, Locus of Control, Resiko Depresi

Hungry for Sex: Differential Roles for Ustilago maydisb Locus Components in Haploid Cells vis à vis Nutritional Availability

Mating-types allow single-celled eukaryotic organisms to distinguish self from non-self in preparation for sexual reproduction. The components of mating-type loci provide initial self/non-self-recognition through pheromone and receptor interactions that control early cell fusion events. However, they may also provide a second level of scrutiny that requires differences in alleles leading to production of a transcription factor required for successful downstream developmental pathways after initial cell fusion. Interestingly, the protein subunits of these transcription factors have not been thoroughly examined for their roles, if any, in the haploid cells themselves. In Ustilago maydis, the causative agent of galls in maize plants, the b locus, encoding bEast (bE) and bWest (bW), components of the eventual requisite transcription factor, has been extensively studied for its role in formation of the stable dikaryon after mating and subsequent pathogenic program. Little is known, however, about any roles for bE or bW in haploid cells. Since mating in fungi is often induced under conditions of nitrogen starvation, we have explored connections between the b locus and the nitrogen-sensing and response pathways in U. maydis. We previously identified a connection in haploid cells between the b locus and Ump2, the high-affinity transceptor, a protein that both transports ammonium and triggers filamentous growth as a response to nitrogen starvation. Deletion of the entire b locus abrogates the filamentous response to low ammonium, a phenotype that is rescued by overexpression of Ump2. Here we further investigated the individual roles of bE and bW in haploid cells. We show that bE and bW are expressed differentially in haploid cells starved for ammonium. Their respective deletion elicits different effects on transcription of mating and pathogenic-related genes and, importantly, on the degree of pathogenic development in host plants. This is the first demonstration of a role for these mating locus components on haploid development and the first to demonstrate a connection to the ammonium transceptors.

A Curse of Knowledge in Diagnosis of Thalassemia

How socioeconomic development affect the diagnosis of thalassemia? Here, we report a couple (husband and wife) from United Arab Emirates (UAE) with microcytic anemia. The parents belong to Arabian tribes with a high prevalence of a- and b-thalassemia. They wanted to have another (sixth) child and their blood counts were investigated before in vitro fertilization. The parents and five children had standard blood tests (complete blood and reticulocyte cell counts, serum ferritin, and hemoglobin analysis) followed by genetic investigations of hemoglobin-a locus 1 and 2. In addition, the parents had a genetic investigation of hemoglobin-b locus for 22 common variants. The parents were found to have no abnormality in hemoglobin-b locus. They had two pathogenic a-globin gene variants: one rare variant in the 3’ prime untranslated region of HBA2 (c.*92A>G; rs63750067) and one common deletion in HBA2 (-a3.7). There were four distinct genotypes: -a3.7 homozygote (mother), c.*92A>G heterozygote (father), double heterozygotes (four children), and -a 3.7 heterozygote (one child). The couple was cleared for the in vitro fertilization. In contrast to ‘standard’ approach, the genetic test for thalassemia is controversial. The findings in this family are discussed in the context of recent epidemiologic and genetic studies in the local population. It was concluded that the rapid development in the UAE was accompanied by acquisition of new information about thalassemia which, paradoxically, increased diagnostic uncertainties in the setting of premarital guidance.

Cooperation between CRISPR-Cas types enables adaptation in an RNA-targeting system

CRISPR-Cas immune systems adapt to new threats by acquiring spacers from invading nucleic acids such as phage genomes. However, some CRISPR-Cas loci lack genes necessary for spacer acquisition, despite apparent variation in spacer content between strains. It has been suggested that such loci may use acquisition machinery from co-occurring CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, using a lytic dsDNA phage, we observe spacer acquisition in the native host Flavobacterium columnare that carries an acquisition-deficient subtype VI-B locus and a complete subtype II-C locus. We characterize acquisition events in both loci and show that the RNA-targeting VI-B locus acquires spacers in trans using acquisition machinery from the DNA-targeting II-C locus. Our observations reinforce the concept of modularity in CRISPR-Cas systems and raise further questions regarding plasticity of adaptation modules.

GeneXpert MTB/RIF Based Detection of Rifampicin Resistance and Common Mutations in rpoB Gene of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Tribal Population of District Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) continues to be one of the most significant causes of death in the developing countries. Development of Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) and Extremely Drug Resistance (XDR) strains of MTB has been recognised as a major threat. Rapid diagnosis along with drug sensitivity analysis is the prerequisite for effective treatment of TB, especially in rural and remote location settings. Aim: The goal of this study was to investigate the Rifampicin Resistance (RR) using GeneXpert MTB/Rifampicin (RIF) in tribal patients suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in District Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: Sputum samples were obtained from 413 patients with symptoms of PTB, who visited District Hospital, Anuppur from April 2017- April 2018. Based on clinical symptoms and chest X-ray, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay was performed for the confirmation of TB and detection of RR. The data was analysed and expressed in percentage. Results: Out of 413 samples, 104 (25.18%) were diagnosed with PTB. Out of 104 TB positive samples, RR was detected in 7(6.73%) samples. The most common mutations conferring RR were located in the region of Probe B (71.42%), followed by Probe C (14.28%) and Probe E (14.28%), while no mutations were found in the region of Probe A and Probe D. Conclusion: Possibly, this is the first report of RR and probe mutational analysis from this tribal region of India. High rate of mutation at Probe B locus may be the chief reason for RR development. Gene sequencing may be carried for understanding the higher rates of mutations at probe B locus.