Our results demonstrate that exposure to Hg(II)

through diet induced mortality and affected locomotor performance as evaluated by negative geotaxis, in D. melanogaster. We also saw a significant impact on the antioxidant system including LCL161 an inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (Ache), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. We found no significant alteration in the levels of mRNA of antioxidant enzymes or NRF-2 transcriptional factor, but did detect a significant up regulation of the HSP83 gene. Mercury exposure also induced the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK, without altering p38(MAPK) and the concentration of these kinases. In parallel, Hg(II) induced PARP cleavage in a 89 kDa fragment, suggesting the triggering of apoptotic cell death in response to the treatment. Taken together, this data clarifies and extends our understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating Hg(II) toxicity in an invertebrate model. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 621-630, 2014.”
“Background: The identification of key molecules is crucial for designing transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs), among those ookinete micronemal proteins are candidate as a general class of malaria transmission-blocking targets. Here, the sequence analysis of an extra-cellular malaria protein expressed JIB 04 in ookinetes, named von Willebrand factor A domain-related protein (WARP),

is reported in 91 Plasmodium vivax isolates circulating in different regions of Iran.

Methods: Clinical isolates were collected from north temperate and southern tropical regions Epoxomicin mouse in Iran. Primers have been designed based on P. vivax sequence (ctg_6991) which amplified a fragment of about 1044 bp with no size variation. Direct sequencing of PCR products was used to determine polymorphism and further bioinformatics

analysis in P. vivax sexual stage antigen, pvwarp.

Results: Amplified pvwarp gene showed 886 bp in size, with no intron. BLAST analysis showed a similarity of 98-100% to P. vivax Sal-I strain; however, Iranian isolates had 2 bp mismatches in 247 and 531 positions that were non-synonymous substitution [T (ACT) to A (GCT) and R (AGA) to S (AGT)] in comparison with the Sal-I sequence.

Conclusion: This study presents the first large-scale survey on pvwarp polymorphism in the world, which provides baseline data for developing WARP-based TBV against both temperate and tropical P. vivax isolates.”
“Objective. Dilating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has been linked to febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal scarring. It is unclear, however, whether children with reflux should be treated surgically or medically, or just kept under close surveillance with prompt treatment of UTIs. This lack of evidence makes parental preferences a crucial factor in the choice of therapy. The Swedish Reflux Trial was set up to compare the three treatment alternatives prospectively.