A complete, homozygous CRX deletion causing nullizygosity is a new genetic mechanism for Leber congenital amaurosis

CRX is a transcription factor required for activating the expression of many photoreceptor-neuron genes. CRX may be mutated in three forms of human blindness; Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), cone-rod degeneration (CRD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The pathogenic mechanism in most cases is likely dominant negative, with gain of function. We report a novel, complete homozygous CRX deletion in LCA. We identified a Lebanese family with 3 affected LCA cases. The proband was sequenced by NGS. Quantitative PCR, array comparative genomic hybridization, and long range PCR were performed. Full eye examinations, OCT and photography were performed. We identified a homozygous 56,000 bp deletion of CRX, which co-segregates and is heterozygous in four parents, who report normal vision. The blind children with LCA manifest severe retinal degeneration, a phenotype typical for CRX and LCA. We hypothesized that a single copy of CRX (haplo-insufficiency) in the causes mild abnormal foveal development, but not LCA. Two parents had significant inner and outer foveal and photoreceptor abnormalities. This is the first reported case of a homozygous, complete CRX deletion. Nullizygosity of CRX thus causes LCA while haplo-insufficiency of CRX causes abnormal foveal development, but not LCA. Our data suggest a new disease mechanism for CRX.

Endovascular Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Complete Iliac Occlusion: Case Series and Literature Review

In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and complete iliac occlusion, endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a bifurcated stent graft has clear advantages over aortouniiliac stent grafts. Bifurcated stent grafts had improved hemodynamic flow and increased primary and secondary patency rates compared with aortouniiliac stent grafts. The use of aortouniiliac stent grafts with femorofemoral crossover bypass is associated with complications including infection of the prosthesis, steal phenomenon, and the associated difficulties for further endovascular access at the site of the femoral anastomosis. Recanalization of occluded iliac arteries at the time of EVAR avoids the complications mentioned above. We report three cases of patients with AAA and iliac occlusion who were successfully treated with iliac recanalization at the time of EVAR.

Endovascular Treatment of Massive Axillary Artery Aneurysm for Palliation

Atherosclerotic axillary artery aneurysms are rare. We report a case of a ninety six year old female who presented with a pulsatile left breast mass causing her intractable pain. She was diagnosed with a massive axillary artery aneurysm which was treated with and endovascular aneurysm repair for palliation of her symptoms.

Antioxidant galloylated flavonol glycosides from Calliandra haematocephala

Three new acylated quercetin rhamnosides have been isolated from the leaves and stem of Calliandra haematocephala Hassk. (Fabaceae) and their structures were established as quercitrin 2''-O-caffeate (1), quercitrin 3''-O-gallate (2) and quercitrin 2'',3''-di-O-gallate (3). Also, 17 known compounds were identified as gallic acid (4), methyl gallate (5), caffeic acid (6), myricitrin (7), quercitrin (8), myricetin 3-O-beta-D-4C1-glucopyranoside (9), afzelin (10), isoquercitrin (11), myricetin 3-O-(6''-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (12), myricitrin 2''-O-gallate (13), quercitrin 2''-O-gallate (14), afzelin 2''-O-gallate (15), myricitrin 3''-O-gallate (16), afzelin 3''-O-gallate (17), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-4C1-glucopyranose (18), myricitrin 2'',3''-di-O-gallate (19), quercetin 3-O-methyl ether (20), for the first time from the genus Calliandra except for 6. Compounds 7, 8, 13, 14, 16 and 19 exhibited moderate to strong radical scavenging properties on lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion generation and DPPH radical in comparison with that of quercetin as a positive control in vitro. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited lethal effect towards brine shrimp Artemia salina.

Antiinflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of Salvia triloba extracts

In continuation of our research on Salvia triloba, acute and chronic antiinflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of chloroform, ethanol, butanol and water extracts were detected at 25 mg/kg p.o. The chloroform extract showed the highest antiinflammatory activity in both acute and chronic models, while the ulcerogenic effects of all tested extracts were found to be less than that of acetyl salicylic acid.

AIDS: Perceptions and Misperceptions among Students of a Nigerian University

INTRODUCTION

The AIDS pandemic has led to the global clamouring for its control. This work was aimed at assessing the level and factors that determine the awareness of undergraduate Students of Usmanu Dandfodiyo University, Sokoto.

METHODOLOGY

In a descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 450 students were recruited by means of multistage and simple random sampling techniques.

RESULTS

Overall, there is a knowledge gap on aetiology, mode of transmission and preventive measures with only 40.2% and 38.5% of the respondents having adequate knowledge and indicated their willingness to learn more about AIDs respectively. Age (P<0.05), Sex (P<0.005) and number of years spent in the University (P<0.025) are important determinants of level of AIDS knowledge.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This finding could be as a result of strong interactions between the social environment and human sexuality. Hence, student bodies should be involved in reproductive health programmes. Key words: awareness, university students, AIDS.

Constituents from Salvia triloba

Twelve hydrocarbons, four sterols, three triterpenes, nineteen fatty acids, two phenolic acids, and five flavonoids have been detected and identified in Salvia triloba. Among the isolated flavonoids, 8-methoxygenistein 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside 4'-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), is reported for the first time.