Human Cytomegalovirus: detection of congenital and perinatal infection in Argentina

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most commonly found agents of congenital infections. Primary maternal infection is associated with risk of symptomatic congenital diseases, and high morbidity is frequently associated with very low birth weight. Neonates with asymptomatic infection develop various sequelae during infancy. This is the first Argentine study performed in neonates with congenital and postnatal HCMV infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with different pairs of primers, to detect cytomegalovirus isolated in tissue cultures and directly in urine and dried blood spot (DBS) specimens. Results were compared with IgM detection. METHODS: The study was performed between 1999 and 2001 on routine samples in the Laboratory. A total of 61 urine and 56 serum samples were selected from 61 newborns/infants, 33 patients whose samples were analyzed during the first two to three weeks of life were considered congenital infections; the remaining 28 patients whose samples were taken later than the third week were grouped as perinatal infections, although only in 4 the perinatal transmission of infection was determined unequivocally Cytomegalovirus diagnosis was made by isolating the virus from urine samples in human foreskin fibroblast cells. Three different primer pairs directed to IE, LA and gB genes were used for the HCMV PCR assay in viral isolates. Subsequently, PCR and nested PCR (nPCR) assays with gB primers were performed directly in urine and in 11 samples of dried blood spot (DBS) on Guthrie Card, these results were then compared with serology. RESULTS: The main clinical manifestations of the 33 patients with congenital infection were purpura, jaundice, hepatomegaly and anaemia. Three patients presented low birth weight as single symptom, 10, intracranial calcifications, and 2, kidney failure. In the 28 patients grouped as with perinatal infection, anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly and enzymatic alteration were predominant, and 4 patients were HIV positive. The primers used to amplify the gB region had a PCR positivity rate of 100%, whereas those that amplified IE and LA regions had a PCR positivity rate of 54% and 61% respectively, in CMV isolates. Amplification by PCR of urine samples (with no previous DNA extraction), using primers for the gB region, detected 34/61 positive samples. Out of the 33 samples from patients with congenital infection, 24 (73%) were positive. When nPCR was used in these samples, all were positive, whereas in the remaining 28 patients, two negative cases were found. Cytomegalovirus DNA detection in 11 samples was also carried out in DBS: 7 DBS samples were positive and 4 were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Primers directed to the gB fragment region were the best choice for the detection of CMV DNA in positive isolates. In congenital infections, direct PCR in urine was positive in a high percentage (73%) of samples; however, in patients grouped as with perinatal infection only 36% of the cases were positive. With n-PCR, total sample positivity reached 97%. PCR technique performed in DBS allowed identifying congenital infection in four patients and to be confirmed in 3. These results show the value of nPCR for the detection of all cases of CMV infection. The assay offers the advantage that it may be performed within the normal working day and provides reliable results in a much shorter time frame than that required for either traditional tissue culture or the shell-viral assay

From Re-Emergence to Hyperendemicity: The Natural History of the Dengue Epidemic in Brazil

The spread of dengue virus is a major public health problem. Though the burden of dengue has historically been concentrated in Southeast Asian countries, Brazil has become the country that reports the largest number of cases in the world. While prior to 2007 the disease affected mostly adults, during the 2007 epidemic the number of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases more than doubled, and over 53% of cases were in children under 15 years of age. In this paper, we propose that the conditions for the shift were being set gradually since the re-introduction of dengue in 1986 and that they represent the transition from re-emergence to hyperendemicity. Using data from an age stratified seroprevalence study conducted in Recife, we estimated the force of infection (a measure of transmission intensity) between 1986–2006 and used these estimates to simulate the accumulation of immunity since the re-emergence. As the length of time that dengue has circulated increases, adults have a lower probability of remaining susceptible to primary or secondary infection and thus, cases become on average younger. If in fact the shift represents the transition from re-emergence to hyperendemicity, similar shifts are likely to be observed in the rest of Brazil, the American continent and other regions where transmission emerges

Contaminación auditiva en los centros de diversión y la vulneración del derecho a vivir en morales

The research was carried out with the purpose of determining the noise pollution in the entertainment centers and the violation of the right to live in Morales, seeking to correlate the variables that have to do with the annoying noises that impede the freedom to live in a quiet area of the habitants. The research was descriptive causal correlation, with a mixed approach. The population was considered by 8 nightlife centers and the population of the residents of the area; The sample consisted of 6 authorized nightclubs and 30 families affected by noise pollution; the techniques used were the survey and interview. Within the results it was indicated that 91.67% equivalent to 55 people surveyed indicate that the main cause that originates noise pollution is exposure to high levels of noise; In the same way, 3.33% refer that the main cause of noise pollution is due to the traffic of car and mobile vehicles; and 1.67% indicate that the cause of noise pollution is due to the traffic of linear motorcycles. Likewise, with respect to the damage caused to the auditory system when the person is exposed to sound in the streets, where it is noted that 83.33% equivalent to 50 people surveyed indicate that the damage that can be caused to the auditory system is all of the above, understood (Deafness, nerves, headache and irritability) and 16.67%, which is made up of 10 respondents, refer that the damage to the auditory system due to sound exposure is the headache.La investigación se realizó con el propósito de determinar la contaminación auditiva en los centros de diversión y la vulneración del derecho a vivir en Morales, buscando correlacionar las variables que tiene que ver con los ruidos molestos que impiden la libertad de vivir en una zona tranquila de los habitantes. La investigación fue descriptiva correlacional causal, de enfoque mixto. La población estuvo considerada por 8 centros de diversión nocturna y la población de los vecinos de la zona; la muestra estuvo conformada por 6 centros nocturnos habilitados y 30 familias perjudicados por la contaminación auditiva; las técnicas utilizadas fueron la encuesta y entrevista. Dentro de los resultados se indicó que un 91.67% equivalente a 55 personas encuestadas señalan que la principal causa que origina la contaminación sonora es la exposición a altos niveles de ruido; del mismo modo un 3.33% refiere que la principal causa de contaminación sonora se debe al tráfico de vehículos de carro y de trimoviles; y un 1.67% señalan que la causa de contaminación sonora es por el tráfico de vehículos de motos lineales. Asimismo, respecto del perjuicio que produce al sistema auditivo cuando la persona está expuesto al sonido en las calles, donde se señala que un 83.33% equivalente a 50 personas encuestadas señalan que los perjuicios que puede ocasionar al sistema auditivo es todas las anteriores, entendiéndose (Sordera, nervios, dolor de cabeza e irritabilidad) y un 16.67% que está conformado por 10 encuestados refieren que los perjuicios al sistema auditivo por la exposición del sonido es el dolor de cabeza

Vulneración del derecho a la dignidad de la persona en delitos contra el pudor

The investigative work aims to describe the violation of the right to dignity of the person that has to do with the crime against modesty. The type of research is applied, non-experimental and descriptive; The technique of documentary analysis and interviews applied to prosecutors in the jurisdiction where the investigation was carried out was used, as instruments were the analysis guide and the interview guide. Among the results regarding the right to dignity, all agree that the acts are carried out in different ways, taken with psychological expertise to determine the corresponding process, where these actions affect the fundamental rights of the victims, with discriminatory and inhuman treatment, violating their dignity and generating a criminal sanction. Regarding the crime of shame, the majority of cases have not been convicted with due process, without using objective and impartial criteria with elements of conviction to have a conviction. Regarding the theorization of thematic units, it occurred to the extent that the prosecutors acted to safeguard the emotional integrity of the aggrieved, making the statements in the presence of the parents when they were minors, without having contact with the aggressor who, has performed acts of touching in areas related to the sexuality of minors. Concluding that the defense of people's rights is fundamental, as well as respect for their dignity as the supreme goal of human rights, where the state must protect and safeguard these people's rights. Likewise, it was found that this problem of violation of rights to dignity and shame of people always occurs, but some do not have enough evidence to condemn said crime.El trabajo investigativo tiene como finalidad describir la vulneración del derecho a la dignidad de la persona que tiene que ver con el delito contra el pudor. El tipo de investigación es aplicada, no experimental y descriptiva; se usó la técnica de análisis documental y entrevistas aplicada a fiscales de la jurisdicción donde se desarrolló la investigación, como instrumentos fue la guía de análisis y la guía de entrevista. Entre los resultados respecto al derecho a la dignidad todos coinciden que los actos se realizan de formas diferentes, tomada con una pericia psicológica para determinar el proceso correspondiente, donde estas acciones afectan a los derechos fundamentales de las víctimas, con tratos discriminatorios e inhumanos, vulnerando su dignidad y generando una sanción penal, donde se sancionaron solo a 20% y un 60% se archivaron las carpetas fiscales por carencia de pruebas. Respecto al delito de actos contra el pudor, un 60% no fueron condenados con un debido proceso, sin utilizar el criterio objetivo e imparcial con elementos de convicción para tener una sentencia condenatoria. Referente a la teorización de unidades temáticas, se dio en la medida que los fiscales actuaron en la medida de salvaguardar la integridad emocional de los agraviados, realizando las declaraciones en presencia de los padres cuando son menores de edad, sin tener contacto con el agresor que, a realizado actos de tocamiento en zonas relacionadas a la sexualidad de los menores. Concluyendo que la defensa de los derechos de las personas es fundamental, así como el respeto a la dignidad de los mismos como fin supremo de los derechos humanos, donde el estado debe proteger y salvaguardar esos derechos de las personas. Así mismo, se pudo encontrar que este problema de vulneración de derechos a la dignidad y pudor de las personas se dan siempre, pero algunos no tienen las suficientes pruebas para condenar dicho delito

Mammalian MCM Loading in Late-G1 Coincides with Rb Hyperphosphorylation and the Transition to Post-Transcriptional Control of Progression into S-Phase

BACKGROUND: Control of the onset of DNA synthesis in mammalian cells requires the coordinated assembly and activation of the pre-Replication Complex. In order to understand the regulatory events controlling preRC dynamics, we have investigated how the timing of preRC assembly relates temporally to other biochemical events governing progress into S-phase. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING: In murine and Chinese hamster (CHO) cells released from quiescence, the loading of the replicative MCM helicase onto chromatin occurs in the final 3-4 hrs of G(1). Cdc45 and PCNA, both of which are required for G(1)-S transit, bind to chromatin at the G(1)-S transition or even earlier in G(1), when MCMs load. An RNA polymerase II inhibitor (DRB) was added to synchronized murine keratinocytes to show that they are no longer dependent on new mRNA synthesis 3-4 hrs prior to S-phase entry, which is also true for CHO and human cells. Further, CHO cells can progress into S-phase on time, and complete S-phase, under conditions where new mRNA synthesis is significantly compromised, and such mRNA suppression causes no adverse effects on preRC dynamics prior to, or during, S-phase progression. Even more intriguing, hyperphosphorylation of Rb coincides with the start of MCM loading and, paradoxically, with the time in late-G(1) when de novo mRNA synthesis is no longer rate limiting for progression into S-phase. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: MCM, Cdc45, and PCNA loading, and the subsequent transit through G(1)-S, do not depend on concurrent new mRNA synthesis. These results indicate that mammalian cells pass through a distinct transition in late-G(1) at which time Rb becomes hyperphosphorylated and MCM loading commences, but that after this transition the control of MCM, Cdc45, and PCNA loading and the onset of DNA replication are regulated at the post-transcriptional level

Sickle cell trait (HbAS) and stunting in children below two years of age in an area of high malaria transmission

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While the protective effects of sickle cell trait (HbAS) against severe malaria and the resulting survival advantage are well known, the impact on the physical development in young children remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between HbS carriage and stunting in children below two years of age in a cohort from the Ashanti Region, Ghana.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1,070 children were recruited at three months of age and followed-up for 21 months with anthropometric measurements performed every three months. Incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated by Poisson regression to estimate the association of β-globin genotypes with the number of malaria episodes. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for the association between the occurrence of β-globin genotypes and/or malaria episodes and stunting. The age-dependent between-group and within-group effects for the β-globin genotypes were assessed by population-averaged models estimated by generalized estimation equation with autoregressive correlation structure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analyses showed a significantly lower age-dependent risk of stunting (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.33–0.96) in carriers of the HbAS genotype (n = 102) in comparison to those with HbAA (n = 692). This effect was restricted to children who experienced malaria episodes during the observation period suggesting that the beneficial effect of the β-globin HbS variant on the incidence of stunting is closely linked to its protection from mild malaria episodes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The lower risk of chronic malnutrition in early childhood, mediated by protection against mild malaria episodes, may contribute to the survival advantage of HbAS carriers in areas of high malaria transmission.</p

Extended Y chromosome haplotypes resolve multiple and unique lineages of the Jewish priesthood

It has been known for over a decade that a majority of men who self report as members of the Jewish priesthood (Cohanim) carry a characteristic Y chromosome haplotype termed the Cohen Modal Haplotype (CMH). The CMH has since been used to trace putative Jewish ancestral origins of various populations. However, the limited number of binary and STR Y chromosome markers used previously did not provide the phylogenetic resolution needed to infer the number of independent paternal lineages that are encompassed within the Cohanim or their coalescence times. Accordingly, we have genotyped 75 binary markers and 12 Y-STRs in a sample of 215 Cohanim from diverse Jewish communities, 1,575 Jewish men from across the range of the Jewish Diaspora, and 2,099 non-Jewish men from the Near East, Europe, Central Asia, and India. While Cohanim from diverse backgrounds carry a total of 21 Y chromosome haplogroups, 5 haplogroups account for 79.5% of Cohanim Y chromosomes. The most frequent Cohanim lineage (46.1%) is marked by the recently reported P58 T->C mutation, which is prevalent in the Near East. Based on genotypes at 12 Y-STRs, we identify an extended CMH on the J-P58* background that predominates in both Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Cohanim and is remarkably absent in non-Jews. The estimated divergence time of this lineage based on 17 STRs is 3,190 ± 1,090 years. Notably, the second most frequent Cohanim lineage (J-M410*, 14.4%) contains an extended modal haplotype that is also limited to Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Cohanim and is estimated to be 4.2 ± 1.3 ky old. These results support the hypothesis of a common origin of the CMH in the Near East well before the dispersion of the Jewish people into separate communities, and indicate that the majority of contemporary Jewish priests descend from a limited number of paternal lineages

Transcriptional analysis of the HeT-A retrotransposon in mutant and wild type stocks reveals high sequence variability at Drosophila telomeres and other unusual features

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Telomere replication in Drosophila depends on the transposition of a domesticated retroelement, the <it>HeT-A </it>retrotransposon. The sequence of the <it>HeT-A </it>retrotransposon changes rapidly resulting in differentiated subfamilies. This pattern of sequence change contrasts with the essential function with which the <it>HeT-A </it>is entrusted and brings about questions concerning the extent of sequence variability, the telomere contribution of different subfamilies, and whether wild type and mutant Drosophila stocks show different <it>HeT-A </it>scenarios.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A detailed study on the variability of <it>HeT-A </it>reveals that both the level of variability and the number of subfamilies are higher than previously reported. Comparisons between GIII, a strain with longer telomeres, and its parental strain Oregon-R indicate that both strains have the same set of <it>HeT-A </it>subfamilies. Finally, the presence of a highly conserved splicing pattern only in its antisense transcripts indicates a putative regulatory, functional or structural role for the <it>HeT-A </it>RNA. Interestingly, our results also suggest that most <it>HeT-A </it>copies are actively expressed regardless of which telomere and where in the telomere they are located.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study demonstrates how the <it>HeT-A </it>sequence changes much faster than previously reported resulting in at least nine different subfamilies most of which could actively contribute to telomere extension in Drosophila. Interestingly, the only significant difference observed between Oregon-R and GIII resides in the nature and proportion of the antisense transcripts, suggesting a possible mechanism that would in part explain the longer telomeres of the GIII stock.</p

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives