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Background: Alpha A-crystallin (CRYAA) is considered critical for the maintenance of lens transparency and is related to the pathogenesis of age-related cataracts (ARCs), especially the nuclear subtype. As the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) modulates gene expression, the purpose of current study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' UTR of CRYAA were associated with susceptibility to ARC in a Han Chinese population and to clarify the mechanism of this association.Methods: SNPs in the 5' UTR (-1 to -1000) of CRYAA were identified in 243 nuclear ARC patients and 263 controls using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated and compared between two groups. Haploview 4.2 was used to calculate the linkage disequilibrium index, and the SHEsis analysis platform was used to infer haplotype construction. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used for transcription of CRYAA in the presence of a protective haplotype with individual SNP alteration, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was employed to determine whether SNPs regulated CRYAA expression by altering the binding affinity of transcription factors.Results: Three polymorphisms were identified in the 5' UTR of CRYAA: rs3761381 (P = 0.000357, odds ratio [OR] = 1.837), rs13053109 (P = 0.788, OR = 1.086), and rs7278468 (P = 0.00136, OR = 0.652). The haplotype C-G-T (P = 0.0014, OR = 1.536) increased the risk of nuclear ARC, whereas the haplotype T-G-G (P = 0.00029, OR = 0.535) decreased the risk. The haplotype C-G-T decreased CRYAA transcription through rs7278468, which is located in the binding site of specificity protein 1 (Sp1). Furthermore, the G allele of rs7278468 increased CRYAA transcription by enhancing the binding affinity of Sp1.Conclusions: These data indicate that the CRYAA polymorphism is a genetic marker of inter-individual differences in the risk of nuclear ARC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Malaria within the Greater Mekong sub-region is extremely heterogeneous. While China and Thailand have been relatively successful in controlling malaria, Myanmar continues to see high prevalence. Coupled with the recent emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria along the Thai-Myanmar border, this makes Myanmar an important focus of malaria within the overall region. However, accurate epidemiological data from Myanmar have been lacking, in part because of ongoing and emerging conflicts between the government and various ethnic groups. Here the results are reported from a risk analysis of malaria slide positivity in a conflict zone along the China-Myanmar border. Methods Surveys were conducted in 13 clinics and hospitals around Laiza City, Myanmar between April 2011 and October 2012. Demographic, occupational and educational information, as well as malaria infection history, were collected. Logistic models were used to assess risk factors for slide positivity. Results Age patterns in Plasmodium vivax infections were younger than those with Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, males were more likely than females to have falciparum infections. Patients who reported having been infected with malaria during the previous year were much more likely to have a current vivax infection. During the second year of the study, falciparum infections among soldiers increased signficiantlyConclusions These results fill some knowledge gaps with regard to risk factors associated with malaria slide positivity in this conflict region of north-eastern Myanmar. Since epidemiological studies in this region have been rare or non-existent, studies such as the current are crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of malaria in this extremely heterogeneous epidemiological landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the performance of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for diagnosis of malaria at the China-Myanmar border area. It discusses the importance of RDT in malaria control and management programmes in the world. It states that the performance of RDT under different endemic conditions suggests its requirement for malaria diagnosis. It reports the effect of humidity and extreme temperatures on the performance of RDT.