Multiplex PCR strategy for subtyping the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: 'SCCmec IV multiplex'

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a new multiplex PCR strategy for subtyping SCCmec type IV methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains-SCCmec IV multiplex PCR. METHODS: Seven primer pairs were designed to detect the ccrB allotype 2 (internal positive control), the five polymorphic J1 regions described so far for SCCmec type IV and the new J1 region specific for EMRSA-15. Primer sets were tested for specificity and robustness with prototype strains for each subtype of SCCmec type IV. The multiplex PCR conditions were optimized in a trial-error approach. RESULTS: The seven prototype strains for the earlier described subtypes of SCCmec type IV and the EMRSA-15 prototype strain were correctly characterized by our strategy. Moreover, 13 diverse SCCmec type IV strains could be assigned to a subtype of SCCmec type IV and 5 EMRSA-15 strains were assigned to the new subtype IVh. One strain could not be assigned to an SCCmec type IV subtype because of the absence of amplification of the specific J1 region. CONCLUSIONS: This new strategy, based on a single multiplex PCR reaction, is adequate for the rapid assignment of all major subtypes of SCCmec type IV described so far and also the new subtype IVh characteristic of EMRSA-15. This strategy complements well the previously described multiplex PCR assay for the rapid assignment of SCCmec types.     

The Brazilian Founder Mutation TP53 p.R337H is Uncommon in Portuguese Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Since the first studies reporting the TP53 p.R337H mutation as founder mutation in Southern and Southeastern Brazil, there has been controversy on its origin. Preliminary analysis of a small subset of Brazilian mutation carriers revealed that the haplotype incided on a Caucasian background. The vast majority of carriers identified today reside in Brazil or, if identified in other countries, are Brazilian immigrants. To our knowledge, the only two exceptions of carriers without a recognizable link with Brazil are two European families, from Portugal and Germany. Haplotype analysis in the Portuguese family revealed the same haplotype identified in Brazilian individuals, but in the German family, a distinct haplotype was found. Knowing that a significant proportion of women with breast cancer (BC) in Southern Brazil are p.R337H carriers, we analyzed p.R337H in a Portuguese cohort of women diagnosed with this disease. Median age at diagnosis among the first 573 patients tested was 60 years and 100 (17.4%) patients had been diagnosed at or under the age of 45 years. Mutation screening failed to identify the mutation in the 573 patients tested. These results are in contrast with the mutation frequency observed in a study including 815 BC‐affected women from Brazil, in which carrier frequencies of 12.1 and 5.1% in pre‐ and postmenopausal women were observed, respectively. These findings suggest that the Brazilian founder mutation p.R337H, the most frequent germline TP53 mutation reported to date, is not a common germline alteration in Portuguese women diagnosed with BC.     

Pericardite – apresentação e características numa população pediátrica

Introduction

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. It may be infectious or secondary to a systemic disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical findings, course, treatment and follow‐up of children diagnosed with pericarditis at our center.

Development and characterisation of 12 microsatellite markers for the New Zealand endemic scallop Pecten novaezelandiae

The endemic scallop Pecten novaezelandiae supports important fisheries in New Zealand. However, despite the ecological and economic importance of this species, limited information is known about genetic stock structure and genetic connectivity among populations. Using 454 sequencing we developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers for this scallop. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 37 and no significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between locus pairs. Three loci (Pnova_01, Pnova_24 and Pnova_27) showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, most likely because of null alleles. The new markers are currently being used to assess the levels of genetic variability among populations to contribute to conservation and management of this highly exploited mollusc.     

Total mercury and selenium concentrations in Sarpa salpa and Balistes capriscus and in their respective Digenean endoparasites Robphildollfusium fractum and Neoapocreadium chabaudi from Tunisia

The present study reports the levels of mercury and selenium in Sarpa salpa and Balistes capriscus collected along the coast of Mahdia and Sfax (Tunisia). The systems constituted by S. salpa and Robphildollfusium fractum and by B. capriscus and Neoapocreadium chabaudi were tested as potential bioindicators to monitor environmental Hg pollution in marine ecosystems. Mercury and selenium concentrations were assessed in kidney, liver and muscle of 51 S. salpa and of 45 B. capriscus as well as in their respective endoparasites R. fractum and N. chabaudi. The Se:Hg molar ratios were evaluated for both species across the study areas. Surprisingly, the Se:Hg molar ratio in B. capriscus muscle from Mahdia is significantly lower than in Sfax. Our results indicate that some parasites may also be implicated in the amount of Se and Hg available in tissues and therefore contribute to oscillations of the Se:Hg molar ratios. In the model involving the carnivorous species (B. capriscus), the 5.1-times higher levels of mercury in N. chabaudi than in B. capriscus muscle in Sfax enable this fluke to be a sensitive biomonitoring tool for Hg pollution. The present results confirm that the habitual consumption of S. salpa should not suppose any potential health risk for Tunisian people. On the other hand, the consumption of B. capriscus may be of concern and further monitoring is advisable, since the Hg average concentration in Mahdia was above the maximum allowed Hg concentration in the edible portion of fish fixed by the European Union.     

The Effect of Nutrition on Aging—A Systematic Review Focusing on Aging-Related Biomarkers

Despite the increasing life expectancy, an individual’s later years tends to be accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life. Though biological changes that occur through the natural process of aging cannot be controlled, the risk factors associated with lifestyle can. Thus, the main goal of this systematic review was to evaluate how nutrition can modulate aging. For this purpose, thirty-six studies were selected on (i) the efficiency of nutrition’s effect on aging, (ii) the evaluation of biomarkers that promote healthy aging, and (iii) how to increase longevity through nutrition, and their quality was assessed. The results showed that choosing low carbohydrate diets or diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, fish, and unsaturated fats, containing antioxidants, potassium, and omega-3 decreased cardiovascular diseases and obesity risk, protected the brain from aging, reduced the risk of telomere shortening, and promoted an overall healthier life. With this study, the conclusion is that since the biological processes of aging cannot be controlled, changing one’s nutritional patterns is crucial to prevent the emergence and development of diseases, boost longevity, and, mostly, to enhance one’s quality of life and promote healthy aging.