High rates of clustering of strains causing tuberculosis in Harare, Zimbabwe: a molecular epidemiological study

We examined the pattern of tuberculosis (TB) transmission (i.e., reactivation versus recent transmission) and the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Harare, Zimbabwe. Consecutive adult smear-positive pulmonary TB patients presenting to an urban hospital in Harare were enrolled. A detailed epidemiological questionnaire was completed, and tests for HIV type 1 and CD4 cell counts were performed for each patient. Molecular fingerprinting of the genomic DNA recovered from cultures of sputum was performed by two molecular typing methods: spacer oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping) and analysis of variable number of tandem DNA repeats (VNTRs). A cluster was defined as isolates from two or more patients that shared the same spoligotype pattern or the same VNTR pattern, or both. DNA suitable for typing was recovered from 224 patients. The prevalence of HIV infection was 79%. Of 187 patient isolates (78.6%) typed by both spoligotyping and analysis of VNTRs, 147 were identified as part of a cluster by both methods. By spoligotyping alone, 84.1% of patient isolates were grouped into 20 clusters. The cluster size was generally <8 patient isolates, although three large clusters comprised 68, 25, and 23 patient isolates. A total of 89.4% of the patient isolates grouped into 12 clusters defined by analysis of VNTRs, with 2 large clusters consisting of 127 and 13 patient isolates, respectively. Thirty-six percent of patient isolates with a shared spoligotype and 17% with a shared VNTR pattern were geographically linked within Harare, but they were not linked on the basis of the patient's home district. In a multivariate analysis, there were no independent predictors of clustering, including HIV infection status. Comparison with the International Spoligotype database (Pasteur Institute, Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe) demonstrated that our three largest spoligotype clusters are well recognized and ubiquitous in Africa. In this epidemiologically well characterized urban population with a high prevalence of HIV infection, we identified a very high level of strain clustering, indicating substantial ongoing recent TB transmission. Geographic linkage could be detected in a proportion of these clusters. A small group of actively circulating strains accounted for most of the cases of TB transmission.     

High-Resolution Melting Analysis as a Sensitive Prescreening Diagnostic Tool to Detect KRAS , BRAF , PIK3CA , and AKT1 Mutations in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

Context .-As the availability of targeted therapies for several tumor types increases, the need for rapid and sensitive mutation screening is growing. KRAS mutations constitutively activate the RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and therefore play an important role in anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy for patients with colorectal cancers. Mutationally activated PIK3CA and AKT1 genes are promising therapeutic targets in breast cancer. In 60% to 70% of malignant melanomas, a mutation in BRAF can be found. Thus, the blocking of the oncogenic signaling induced by this mutation is now used as treatment approach. Objective .-To establish high-resolution melting assays for routinely used predictive analyses of KRAS , AKT1 , PIK3CA , and BRAF mutations. Design .-High-resolution melting assays were developed by using specifically designed primers and genomic DNA isolated either from cell lines or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, oligonucleotides, or plasmids. Melting curve analyses were performed on the LightCyler platform and mutation analyses were additionally confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results .-We developed high-resolution melting assays by using genomic DNA containing the desired mutation, which enabled us to detect percentages of mutated DNA (3.1% to 12.5%) mixed in a wild-type background. Assays were evaluated by hybridization probes and/or Sanger sequencing to exclude pseudogene amplification. The high-resolution melting assays were validated with genomic DNA from different tumor entities. The concordance between Sanger sequencing and high-resolution melting was 99% for KRAS exon 2 and PIK3CA exon 20 and 100% for the remaining assays. Conclusions .-High-resolution melting provides a valid and powerful tool for detecting genomic mutations efficiently.     

Divergent effects of biolistic gene transfer in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation

Particle-mediated epidermal delivery (PMED) of allergen genes efficiently prevents systemic sensitization and suppresses specific immunoglobulin E synthesis. We investigated in a mouse model of allergic airway disease the effect of PMED on the elicitation of local inflammatory reactions in the lung. BALB/c mice were biolistically transfected with plasmids encoding beta-galactosidase (betaGal) as model allergen under control of the DC-targeting fascin promoter and the ubiquitously active cytomegalovirus promoter, respectively. Mice were challenged intranasally with betaGal-protein with or without intermediate sensitization with betaGal adsorbed to aluminiumhydroxide. Subsequently, local cytokine production and recruitment of IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) effector T cells into the airways were determined, and inflammatory parameters such as cellular infiltration in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were measured. PMED of betaGal-encoding plasmids before sensitization significantly reduced frequencies of eosinophils in the BAL and shifted the local T helper (Th) cell response from a distinct Th2 response toward a Th1-biased response. However, AHR triggered by allergen challenge via the airways was not alleviated in vaccinated mice. Most important, we show that PMED using betaGal-encoding DNA without subsequent sensitization recruited Tc1 cells into the lung and caused a Th1-prone local immune response after subsequent intranasal provocation, accompanied by neutrophilic infiltration into the airways and elicitation of AHR. We conclude that robust Th1/Tc1 immune responses, although highly effective in the counter-regulation of local Th2-mediated pathology, might as well trigger local inflammatory reactions in the lung and provoke the induction of AHR in the mouse model of allergic airway disease.     

Influence of acute stress on response inhibition in healthy men: An ERP study

The current study investigated the influence of acute stress and the resulting cortisol increase on response inhibition and its underlying cortical processes, using EEG. Before and after an acute stressor or a control condition, 39 healthy men performed a go/no‐go task while ERPs (N2, P3), reaction times, errors, and salivary cortisol were measured. Acute stress impaired neither accuracy nor reaction times, but differentially affected the neural correlates of response inhibition; namely, stress led to enhanced amplitudes of the N2 difference waves (N2d, no‐go minus go), indicating enhanced response inhibition and conflict monitoring. Moreover, participants responding to the stressor with an acute substantial rise in cortisol (high cortisol responders) showed reduced amplitudes of the P3 of the difference waves (P3d, no‐go minus go) after the stressor, indicating an impaired evaluation and finalization of the inhibitory process. Our findings indicate that stress leads to a reallocation of cognitive resources to the neural subprocesses of inhibitory control, strengthening premotor response inhibition and the detection of response conflict, while concurrently diminishing the subsequent finalization process within the stream of processing.     

High prevalence of Brachyspira spp. in layers kept in alternative husbandry systems associated with frequent species variations from end of rearing to slaughter

A longitudinal survey was conducted to investigate the presence of Brachyspira species in layer flocks. A total of 66 layer flocks kept in alternative husbandry systems were sampled at three time points: end of rearing, at peak of lay and at end of lay. Content from caecal samples of freshly killed birds was cultured at each sampling time point and processed for further investigations. Gross pathological lesions in caeca were recorded during post mortem investigation. Spirochaetes were isolated from 50 flocks: three flocks were positive at all three sampling points, 25 flocks at two and 22 flocks at one sampling point, respectively. The presence of Brachyspira spp. could not be related to specific gross pathological caecal lesions or antibiotic treatments. The number of positive flocks increased with the age of birds. Furthermore, organic flocks were more often positive than flocks from barn systems. In total 80 spirochaetal cultures were obtained. B. intermedia (43.8%) was the most common species, followed by B. pulli (13.8%) and B. pilosicoli (12.5%). Brachyspira murdochii and B. innocens were found in 5.0% and 2.5%, respectively, whereas 11.3% of Brachyspira isolates could not be identified to species level. In 11.3% of the samples mixed infections were detected. Finally, the longitudinal survey revealed for the first time a possible shift in the Brachyspira species in a substantial number (32%) of layer flocks during their lifetime.     

The protein phosphatase 2A functions in the spindle position checkpoint by regulating the checkpoint kinase Kin4

In budding yeast, a surveillance mechanism known as the spindle position checkpoint (SPOC) ensures accurate genome partitioning. In the event of spindle misposition, the checkpoint delays exit from mitosis by restraining the activity of the mitotic exit network (MEN). To date, the only component of the checkpoint to be identified is the protein kinase Kin4. Furthermore, how the kinase is regulated by spindle position is not known. Here, we identify the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in complex with the regulatory subunit Rts1 as a component of the SPOC. Loss of PP2A-Rts1 function abrogates the SPOC but not other mitotic checkpoints. We further show that the protein phosphatase functions upstream of Kin4, regulating the kinase''s phosphorylation and localization during an unperturbed cell cycle and during SPOC activation, thus defining the phosphatase as a key regulator of SPOC function.     

De novo missense variants in MEIS2 recapitulate the microdeletion phenotype of cardiac and palate abnormalities,developmental delay,intellectual disability and dysmorphic features

Gross deletions involving the MEIS2 gene have been described in a small number of patients with overlapping phenotypes of atrial or ventricular septal defects, cleft palate, and variable developmental delays and intellectual disability. Non‐specific dysmorphic features were noted in some patients, including broad forehead with high anterior hairline, arched eyebrows, thin or tented upper lip, and short philtrum. Recently, a patient with a de novo single amino acid deletion, c.998_1000delGAA (p.Arg333del), and a patient with a de novo nonsense variant, (c.611C>G, p.Ser204*), were reported with a similar, but apparently more severe phenotypes. Clinical whole exome sequencing (WES) performed at our clinical molecular diagnostic laboratory identified four additional patients with predicted damaging de novo MEIS2 missense variants. Our patients’ features closely resembled those previously reported in patients with gross deletions, but also included some less commonly reported features, such as autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, and short stature, as well as features that may be unique to nucleotide‐level variants, such as hypotonia, failure to thrive, gastrointestinal, skeletal, limb, and skin abnormalities. All of the observed missense variants, Pro302Leu, Gln322Leu, Arg331Lys, and Val335Ala, are located in the functionally important MEIS2 homeodomain. Pro302Leu is found in the region between helix 1 and helix 2, while the other three are located in the DNA‐binding helix 3. To our knowledge, these are the first described de novo missense variants in MEIS2, expanding the known mutation spectrum of the newly recognized human disorder caused by aberrations in this gene.     

Through thick and thin?

Background

A good romantic relationship quality increases resilience against mental and physical health problems. Regarding correlates of relationship quality, research has focused mostly on attachment style and personality traits such as the Big Five.

Objective

The current study aims to find further predictors of a good relationship quality, such as sleep, demographics, and the boundary concept.

Materials and methods

For the study, 336 subjects were recruited, most of them women (79.76%). Only participants who were in a relationship were included in the analyses (N?=?216). The effects of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), demographics, and thin or thick boundaries (Boundary Personality Questionnaire, BPQ) on relationship quality (Partnerschaftsfragebogen—Kurzversion, PFB-K) were assessed using multiple regression.

Results

Age and thickness of boundaries were significantly connected with relationship quality. Sleep quality, gender, body mass index, and accommodation were not related to relationship quality.

Conclusion

The current study confirms the importance of age and provides new insight into the effects of boundaries in terms of relationship quality. Methodological limitations (e.g., homogenous and healthy sample) might compromise the findings regarding sleep. Future studies should include a more diverse sample and investigate further correlates of the boundary concept.