Displasia diastrófica: diagnóstico pré-natal e revisão da literatura

CONTEXT Diastrophic dysplasia is a type of osteochondrodysplasia caused by homozygous mutation in the gene DTDST (diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter gene). Abnormalities occurring particularly in the skeletal and cartilaginous system are typical of the disease, which has an incidence of 1 in 100,000 live births. CASE REPORT The case of a pregnant woman, without any consanguineous relationship with her husband, whose fetus was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia based on ultrasound findings and DNA tests, is described. An obstetric ultrasound scan produced in the 16th week of gestation revealed characteristics that guided the clinical diagnosis. Prominent among these characteristics were rhizomelia of the lower and upper limbs (shortening of the proximal portions) and mesomelia (shortening of the intermediate portions). Both upper limbs showed marked curvature, with the first finger of the upper limbs in abduction and clinodactyly of the fifth finger. Molecular analysis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing detected mutations that had already been described in the literature for the gene DTDST, named c.862C > T and c.2147_2148insCT. Therefore, the fetus was a compound heterozygote, carrying two different mutations. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal diagnosis of this condition allowed a more realistic interpretation of the prognosis, and of the couple's reproductive future. This case report shows the contribution of molecular genetics towards the prenatal diagnosis, for which there are few descriptions in the literature.CONTEXTO A displasia diastrófica é uma osteocondrodisplasia causada por mutação homozigótica no gene DTDST (diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter gene). As alterações, principalmente nos sistemas esquelético e cartilaginoso, são típicas dessa doença, que tem uma incidência de 1 em 100.000 nascidos vivos. RELATO DO CASO Descreve-se o caso de uma mulher gestante, sem relação consanguínea com o seu marido, cujo feto foi diagnosticado com displasia esquelética baseado na ultrassonografia e em testes de DNA. A ultrassonografia obstétrica, realizada na 16a semana, revelou características que guiaram o diagnóstico clínico. Entre elas, se destacam os membros inferiores e superiores com rizomelia (encurtamento das porções proximais) e mesomelia (encurtamento das porções intermediárias), ambos os membros superiores mostraram acentuada flexão, o primeiro dedo em abdução nas extremidades superiores e clinodactilia do quinto dedo. A análise molecular pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e o sequenciamento gênico detectou mutações já descritas na literatura para o gene DTDST, chamado c.862C > T e c.2147_2148insCT. Portanto, o feto é um heterozigoto composto, carreando duas mutações diferentes. CONCLUSÕES O diagnóstico pré-natal dessa condição permite uma interpretação mais realista do prognóstico e do futuro reprodutivo do casal. Este relato de caso mostra a contribuição da genética molecular no diagnóstico pré-natal, com poucas descrições na literatura.Faculdades Integradas do Brasil (UniBrasil)Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsCentro de Diagnósticos (CEDUS)Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) Health and Biosciences School (ESB) Graduate Program in Health Science (PPGCS)Faculdades Integradas do Brasil (UniBrasil) Biomedicine CourseUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of ObstetricsUNIFESP, Department of ObstetricsSciEL

Polymorphisms of APOE and APOB genes and dyslipidemias in a South Brazilian Cohort

Dyslipidemias are closely associated to the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and therefore of great importance in public health. Many genes influence lipid levels, such as APOE and APOB. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of APOE gene alleles (rs7412: C>T and rs429358: T>C), and R3500Q mutation of APOB gene (rs5742904: G>A) in lipid levels in a South Brazilian cohort. 214 individuals were analyzed and the frequencies of APOE ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles were found respectively as 9.25 ± 0.4625; 70.5 ± 3.525  and 20.25%± 1.401, while the frequency of R3500Q mutation of the APOB gene was 4.46 ± 1.00%. The ε4 allele was significantly more frequent in subjects with higher TC (Total Cholesterol) and LDL-C levels, while significantly higher frequency of the ε2 allele was found in individuals with higher HDL-C levels. The R3500Q mutation was suggested as a risk factor for higher TC levels, regardless gender and age (β = 21.326 ± 10377.78, p = 0.001).Las dislipidemias están asociadas con el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y cerebrovasculares y, por tanto, son de gran importancia en la salud pública. Muchos genes influyen en los niveles de lípidos, como APOE y APOB. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos de los alelos del gen APOE (rs7412: C>T y rs429358: T>C) y la mutación R3500Q del gen APOB (rs5742904: G>A) sobre los niveles de lípidos en una cohorte del sur de Brasil. Se analizaron 214 individuos y se encontró que las frecuencias de los alelos APOE ε2, ε3 y ε4 eran respectivamente 9,25 ± 0,4625; 70,5 ± 3,525 y 20,25% ± 1,401, mientras que la frecuencia de la mutación R3500Q del gen APOB fue de 4,46 ± 1,00%. El alelo ε4 fue significativamente más frecuente en individuos con niveles más altos de TC (colesterol total) y LDL-C, mientras que se encontró una frecuencia significativamente mayor del alelo ε2 en individuos con niveles más altos de HDL-C. La mutación R3500Q se sugirió como factor de riesgo para niveles más altos de CT, independientemente del sexo y la edad (β = 21,326 ± 10.377,78, p = 0,001).Dyslipidemias are closely associated to the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and therefore of great importance in public health. Many genes influence lipid levels, such as APOE and APOB. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of APOE gene alleles (rs7412: C>T and rs429358: T>C), and R3500Q mutation of APOB gene (rs5742904: G>A) in lipid levels in a South Brazilian cohort. 214 individuals were analyzed and the frequencies of APOE ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles were found respectively as 9.25 ± 0.4625; 70.5 ± 3.525  and 20.25%± 1.401, while the frequency of R3500Q mutation of the APOB gene was 4.46 ± 1.00%. The ε4 allele was significantly more frequent in subjects with higher TC (Total Cholesterol) and LDL-C levels, while significantly higher frequency of the ε2 allele was found in individuals with higher HDL-C levels. The R3500Q mutation was suggested as a risk factor for higher TC levels, regardless gender and age (β = 21.326 ± 10377.78, p = 0.001)

Genome of Herbaspirillum seropedicae Strain SmR1, a Specialized Diazotrophic Endophyte of Tropical Grasses

The molecular mechanisms of plant recognition, colonization, and nutrient exchange between diazotrophic endophytes and plants are scarcely known. Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic bacterium capable of colonizing intercellular spaces of grasses such as rice and sugar cane. The genome of H. seropedicae strain SmR1 was sequenced and annotated by The Paraná State Genome Programme—GENOPAR. The genome is composed of a circular chromosome of 5,513,887 bp and contains a total of 4,804 genes. The genome sequence revealed that H. seropedicae is a highly versatile microorganism with capacity to metabolize a wide range of carbon and nitrogen sources and with possession of four distinct terminal oxidases. The genome contains a multitude of protein secretion systems, including type I, type II, type III, type V, and type VI secretion systems, and type IV pili, suggesting a high potential to interact with host plants. H. seropedicae is able to synthesize indole acetic acid as reflected by the four IAA biosynthetic pathways present. A gene coding for ACC deaminase, which may be involved in modulating the associated plant ethylene-signaling pathway, is also present. Genes for hemagglutinins/hemolysins/adhesins were found and may play a role in plant cell surface adhesion. These features may endow H. seropedicae with the ability to establish an endophytic life-style in a large number of plant species

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications

Vida útil de fatias de manga armazenadas em embalagem com atmosfera modificada passiva Shelf life of mango slices stored under passive modified atmosphere packaging

Fatias de manga fresca e osmoticamente desidratadas foram acondicionadas em bandejas de poliestireno expandido, recobertas com filme de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD) e estocadas à temperatura de 5 °C com o objetivo de verificar o efeito da desidratação osmótica e da embalagem com atmosfera modificada passiva na vida útil das frutas. Amostras de manga fresca, acondicionadas nas condições do ar atmosférico, foram utilizadas como controle. As mangas foram avaliadas periodicamente quanto às suas características físico-químicas e microbiológicas, composição da atmosfera interna das embalagens, perda de peso e aceitação sensorial. O processo de desidratação osmótica e o acondicionamento das frutas com atmosfera modificada influíram positivamente na manutenção das características sensoriais e na qualidade microbiológica das fatias de manga. As fatias de manga fresca acondicionadas nas condições do ar atmosférico (FR AR) e com atmosfera modificada (FR MAP) apresentaram uma vida útil de apenas 8 e 14 dias, respectivamente, sendo limitada principalmente por sua aceitação sensorial e contaminação microbiológica. Já as frutas desidratadas osmoticamente e embaladas com atmosfera modificada (OD MAP) apresentaram uma vida útil de 18 dias com boa aceitação sensorial durante toda a estocagem.<br>Fresh and osmodehydrated mango slices were packaged in expanded polystyrene trays covered with low density polyethylene films (PEBD) and stored at 5 °C aiming at verifying the effect of osmotic dehydration process and modified atmosphere packaging on the fruit shelf life. Fresh mango slices packaged under atmospheric conditions were used as control. The slices were evaluated periodically with respect to physicochemichal and microbiological characteristics, internal atmosphere composition of the packages, weight reduction, and sensory acceptance. The osmotic dehydration process and the modified atmosphere packaging had a positive influence on the preservation of the sensory characteristics and microbiological quality of the mango slices. Fresh mango slices stored under atmospheric conditions (FR AR) and modified atmosphere packaging (FR MAP) had a shelf life of only 8 and 14 days, respectively, which was mainly limited by its sensory acceptance and microbial spoilage. On the other hand, the mango osmodehydrated slices packaged under modified atmosphere (OD MAP) presented shelf life of 18 days showing good sensory acceptance throughout the storage period

Diastrophic dysplasia: prenatal diagnosis and review of the literature

CONTEXT Diastrophic dysplasia is a type of osteochondrodysplasia caused by homozygous mutation in the gene DTDST (diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter gene). Abnormalities occurring particularly in the skeletal and cartilaginous system are typical of the disease, which has an incidence of 1 in 100,000 live births. CASE REPORT The case of a pregnant woman, without any consanguineous relationship with her husband, whose fetus was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia based on ultrasound findings and DNA tests, is described. An obstetric ultrasound scan produced in the 16th week of gestation revealed characteristics that guided the clinical diagnosis. Prominent among these characteristics were rhizomelia of the lower and upper limbs (shortening of the proximal portions) and mesomelia (shortening of the intermediate portions). Both upper limbs showed marked curvature, with the first finger of the upper limbs in abduction and clinodactyly of the fifth finger. Molecular analysis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing detected mutations that had already been described in the literature for the gene DTDST, named c.862C > T and c.2147_2148insCT. Therefore, the fetus was a compound heterozygote, carrying two different mutations. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal diagnosis of this condition allowed a more realistic interpretation of the prognosis, and of the couple's reproductive future. This case report shows the contribution of molecular genetics towards the prenatal diagnosis, for which there are few descriptions in the literature

MUTAÇÕES DO GENE DO RECEPTOR DE VITAMINA D E NÍVEIS SÉRICOS DE VITAMINA D EM CRIANÇAS COM ASMA

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a relação dos polimorfismos do gene do receptor de vitamina D (RVD) com sinais clínicos e níveis de vitamina D (VD) em asmáticos. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 77 crianças de 7 a 14 anos de um ambulatório especializado, divididas em 3 grupos: asmáticos, em uso de corticoide inalatório (ICS) por mais de um ano; asmáticos sem necessidade de ICS; não asmáticos e não alérgicos (de acordo com o International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood - ISAAC. Foram avaliados: espirometria, testes alérgicos, presença do polimorfismo CDX2 do promotor do RVD por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e genotipagem de polimorfismos dos éxons 2 e 3 por PCR-SSCA (single-strand conformational analysis), imunoglobulina E (IgE) total e IgE específica para ácaros e gramíneas nos três grupos estudados. Níveis de 25-hidroxivitamina D foram dosados nos asmáticos. Resultados: A média de idade foi 10,8±2,2 anos, 57% masculinos, 38 asmáticos com ICS, 22 sem ICS e 17 não asmáticos. Rinite alérgica esteve presente em 90% dos asmáticos, polimorfismo CDX2 em 23% dos asmáticos e ausente nos controles (p=0,03). Menores níveis de volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1%) foram observados nos asmáticos homozigotos para CDX2 (p=0,001). Variações nas sequências dos éxons 2 e 3 não foram relacionadas com a asma ou demais testes. Deficiência ou insuficiência de VD foi diagnosticada em 98% dos asmáticos. Não houve associação entre níveis de VD e polimorfismos genéticos dos éxons 2 e 3. Conclusões: Observou-se associação positiva entre polimorfismo CDX2 em homozigoze com asma e menores valores de VEF1%. O CDX2 pode modificar a interação celular do RVD com a vitamina, bem como pode estar associado com a asma e com a dificuldade de controle da doença