Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Determinación de E. coli biotipo 1 y E. coli O157:H7 en canal de carne bovina en plantas de beneficio del departamento del Atlántico (Colombia)

Carcass contamination with E. coli O157:H7, the etiological agent of Acute Diarrheal Disease (ADD) during slaughter is the primary route for contamination of minced beef. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of generic E. coli biotype 1 and E. coli O157:H7 in cattle slaughtered in processing plants in the department of Atlántico. In total, 224 bovine carcasses from processing plants in four municipalities were analyzed. The samples were processed in the Public Health Laboratory of the department of Atlántico. E. coli O157:H7 were determined by the VIDAS UP method, E. coli O157 (including H7) (ECPT) and biotype 1 E. coli using TBX agar (Oxoid), ISO 16649-2: 2000 method. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was 0.45% and of generic E. coli biotype 1 was 0.89% in samples with E. coli biotype 1 counts >100 CFU/cm2. In 54% of the carcasses with the presence of E. coli, the concentrations ranged between 1 and 758 CFU/cm2. It is concluded that the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 found was low (0.45%); however, it indicates the presence of this pathogenic strain in the area, therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance for outlets and distributors.La contaminación de la canal con E. coli O157:H7, agente etiológico de la Enfermedad Diarreica Aguda (EDA), durante el sacrificio es la ruta primaria para la contaminación de la carne picada de vacuno. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de E. coli biotipo 1 genérico y E. coli O157:H7 en bovinos sacrificados en plantas de beneficio del departamento del Atlántico. Se analizaron 224 canales de bovino provenientes de plantas de beneficio de cuatro municipios. Las muestras fueron procesadas en el Laboratorio de Salud Pública del departamento del Atlántico. Se determinó E. coli O157:H7 por el método VIDAS UP E. coli O157 (incluyendo H7) (ECPT) y E. coli biotipo 1, usando agar TBX (Oxoid), método ISO 16649-2:2000. La prevalencia de E. coli O157:H7 fue de 0.45% y de E. coli biotipo 1 genérico fue de 0.89% en muestras con recuentos de E. coli biotipo 1 >100 UFC/cm2. En 54% de las canales con presencia de E. coli, las concentraciones oscilaron entre 1 y 758 UFC/cm2. Se concluye que la prevalencia de E. coli O157:H7 encontrada fue baja (0.45%); sin embargo, indica presencia de esta cepa patógena en la zona, por lo que se requiere fortalecer la vigilancia para expendios y distribuidores

The complete mitochondrial and plastid genomes of the invasive marine red alga Caulacanthus okamurae (Caulacanthaceae, Rhodophyta) from Moss Landing, California, USA

Caulacanthus okamurae is an invasive red alga that forms extensive mats in sheltered marine habitats around the world. To determine its genomic structure and genetic relationship to native and other non-native populations of C. okamurae, high-throughput sequencing analysis was performed on an introduced specimen from Bennett Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA. Assembly of 23,146,595 filtered 150 bp paired-end Illumina sequencing reads yielded its complete mitogenome (GenBank accession MT193839) and plastid genome (GenBank accession MT193838). The mitogenome is 25,995 bp in length and contains 50 genes. The plastid genome is 173,516 bp and contains 234 genes. Comparison of the organellar chromosomes to other Gigartinales revealed a high-level of gene synteny. BLAST analysis of marker sequences (rbcL, cox1, cox2) of C. okamurae from Moss Landing identified four identical DNA sequences: one from a specimen from a native population of C. okamurae from South Korea and three from specimens representing invasive populations from France, Spain, and the USA. These genetic results confirm the presence of C. okamurae in central California, USA, and represent the first complete mitogenome and plastid genome from the Caulacanthaceae