Paciente masculino con cariotipo 46 XX negativo para el gen SRY y sin ambigüedad genital: reporte de un caso / Male patient 46, XX SRY -negative and unambiguous genitalia: A case report

En la mayoría de los casos, la diferenciación sexual masculina ocurre con la participación del gen SRY. Sin embargo, se pueden presentar otros genotipos excepcionales, como en el caso que se presenta en este reporte. Se trata de un paciente adulto de sexo masculino atendido en el Servicio de Paternidades del Instituto de Genética de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se le hicieron los análisis del gen de la amelogenina y de repeticiones cortas en tándem (Short Tandem Repeat, STR) específicas para el gen SRY con estuches comerciales de identificación humana, así como los de cariotipo convencional e hibridación in situ fluorescente del SRY, y el estudio de microdeleciones del cromosoma Y mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). Se le hizo la evaluación clínica y se le brindó asesoramiento genético. El paciente no presentaba ambigüedad genital, su cariotipo era 46 XX, y el perfil molecular era negativo para el gen SRY y positivo para el ZFY. Se le diagnosticó un trastorno de diferenciación sexual 46 XX testicular no sindrómico, una rara condición genética. Solo el 20 % de los pacientes con este diagnóstico son negativos para SRY y exhiben perfiles moleculares diversos. La información disponible parece indicar que el ZFY está relacionado con la diferenciación sexual masculina, aún en ausencia del gen SRY.

In most cases, male sexual differentiation occurs with SRY gene mediation. However, exceptional genotypes have been identified, as shown in this paper. This was a male adult patient seen at the Servicio de Paternidades, Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. The following procedures were carried out: Amelogenin gene and short tandem repeat analyses using human identification commercial kits, conventional karyotype, SRY fluorescent in situ hybridization, PCR analysis for Y chromosome microdeletions, clinical evaluation, and genetic counseling. We present an adult male with unambiguous genitalia, karyotype 46,XX, and an SRY negative and ZFY positive molecular profile. The diagnosis of nonsyndromic 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development (DSD) -a rare genetic condition- was established. Only 20 % of similarly diagnosed patients are SRY negative and exhibit diverse molecular profiles. Until now, available evidence seems to indicate that, even in the absence of SRY, the ZFY factor is involved in male sexual differentiation.

Role of genetic variability in Mendelian and multifactorial diseases

The first draft of the human genome sequencing published in 2001 reported a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Given that these polymorphisms could practically represent all the variability involved in the susceptibility, protection, severity, among other aspects, of various common diseases, as well as in their response to medications, it was thought that they might be “the biomarkers of choice” in personalized genomic medicine. With the new information obtained from the sequencing of a larger number of genomes, we have understood that SNPs are only an important part of the genetic markers involved in these traits. In addition to SNPs, other variants have been identified, such as insertions/deletions (INDELs) and copy number variants (CNVs), which – in addition to classic variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and short tandem repeats (STRs) – originate or contribute to the development of diseases. The use of these markers has served to identify regions of the genome involved in Mendelian diseases (one gene-one disease) or genes directly associated with multifactorial diseases. This review has the purpose to describe the role of STRs, VNTRs, SNPs, CNVs and INDELs in linkage and association studies and their role in Mendelian and multifactorial diseases.

Genetic diversity of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in Mendoza province / Diversidad genética de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae en la provincia de Mendoza

En Argentina, la neumonía enzoótica porcina (NEP) es altamente prevalente y se han identificado diferentes tipos genéticos de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Sin embargo, se carece de información acerca de la prevalencia de NEP y de otros aspectos epidemiológicos de esta entidad en la provincia de Mendoza. En esta investigación se usó un análisis multilocus de regiones repetidas en tándem (MLVA) de los loci P97 R1, P97 R1A y P146 R3 para evaluar la diversidad genética de M. hyopneumoniae a partir de muestras clínicas de cerdos de cinco granjas localizadas en diferentes distritos de la provincia de Mendoza. M. hyopneumoniae pudo ser tipificado a partir de 27 muestras de lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) y se identificaron 8 diferentes MLVA-tipos. Este es el primer informe acerca de la diversidad genética de M. hyopneumoniae en Mendoza. Los resultados obtenidos permiten describir de manera más acabada la diversidad genética de este agente en nuestro país.

Selective intra-dinucleotide interactions and periodicities of bases separated by K sites: a new vision and tool for phylogeny analyses

Direct tests of the random or non-random distribution of nucleotides on genomes have been devised to test the hypothesis of neutral, nearly-neutral or selective evolution. These tests are based on the direct base distribution and are independent of the functional (coding or non-coding) or structural (repeated or unique sequences) properties of the DNA. The first approach described the longitudinal distribution of bases in tandem repeats under the Bose-Einstein statistics. A huge deviation from randomness was found. A second approach was the study of the base distribution within dinucleotides whose bases were separated by 0, 1, 2... K nucleotides. Again an enormous difference from the random distribution was found with significances out of tables and programs. These test values were periodical and included the 16 dinucleotides. For example a high ¨positive¨ (more observed than expected dinucleotides) value, found in dinucleotides whose bases were separated by (3K + 2) sites, was preceded by two smaller ¨negative¨ (less observed than expected dinucleotides) values, whose bases were separated by (3K) or (3K + 1) sites. We examined mtDNAs, prokaryote genomes and some eukaryote chromosomes and found that the significant non-random interactions and periodicities were present up to 1000 or more sites of base separation and in human chromosome 21 until separations of more than 10 millions sites. Each nucleotide has its own significant value of its distance to neutrality; this yields 16 hierarchical significances. A three dimensional table with the number of sites of separation between the bases and the 16 significances (the third dimension is the dinucleotide, individual or taxon involved) gives directly an evolutionary state of the analyzed genome that can be used to obtain phylogenies. An example is provided.

Symmetry symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder: clinical and genetic correlates

Objective: In obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), symmetry-related symptoms may be important. Although clinical correlates of symmetry-related symptoms have been identified in OCD, few data exist on genetic associations. Animal studies indicate involvement of dopamine in symmetry-related behavior, suggesting this may be relevant to analogous symptoms in OCD. Alterations in dopamine may also reflect environmental influences. However, the association of symmetry-related symptomatology, early adversity, and polymorphisms in dopaminergic genes has not been investigated in OCD. Methods: Clinical information and polymorphisms in key dopaminergic genes were compared between OCD patients with primary symmetry symptoms and those without. Results: OCD patients with primary symmetry symptoms comprised 46.6% (n=210) of the sample (n=451), and were older (p < 0.01), had longer illness duration (p < 0.01), higher OCD severity scores (p = 0.01), and greater comorbidity (p < 0.01) than those without. In Caucasians (n=343), genotype frequency differed significantly between groups for ANKK1 rs1800497, with more OCD patients with symmetry symptoms being homozygous for the A2 (CC) genotype (χ2 = 7.296; p = 0.026). Conclusion: Symmetry symptoms have some distinct clinical features and may represent a marker of severity in OCD. However, clinical associations, in combination with the association found with the ANKK1 rs1800497 A2 variant, suggest that primary symmetry symptoms may represent a distinctive clinical and psychobiological profile.

Association of number of tandem repeats in two important adhesins in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae / Associação entre os números de repetições em tandem em duas importantes adesinas de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Diversidade genética de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae tem sido relatada em análise múltipla de repetições em tandem em número variável (MLVA). O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a distribuição espacial e a heterogeneidade genética de tipos de M. hyopneumoniae no Brasil, bem como investigar a correlação entre regiões de repetição 1 (RR1) e 3 (RR3) de duas adesinas importantes (P97 e P146). Foram identificados 39 tipos de MLVA baseados no número de repetições em tandem em P97 RR1 e RR3 P146. A correlação negativa significativa (Spearman's rho = -0,26; P = 0,022) entre P97 RR1 e RR3 P146 foi observada, o que sugere um possível mecanismo compensatório que permitiria a bactéria manter a sua capacidade de adesão. Os resultados contribuem para compreender a epidemiologia das M. hyopneumoniae no quarto maior país produtor de suínos do mundo.(AU)

Preoperative Imaging Modalities to Predict the Risk of Regional Nodal Recurrence in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancers

Introduction Thyroid cancer incidence has increased in the previous 2 decades. Preoperative identification of lymph node metastasis is a suggested risk factor associated with recurrence following thyroidectomy. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative radiologic investigations of nodal status in determining the postoperative risk of regional nodal recurrence in cases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods This is a case series. We retrospectively reviewed data, including preoperative ultrasonography and/or computed tomography results, on patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer at our hospital between 2006 and 2012. Prognostic factors for predicting recurrence, including age, sex, tumor diameter, and nodal diameter, were evaluated. Results Total thyroidectomy was performed on 24 male and 74 female patients (median age, 43 years). The median follow-up time was 21 months. Sixty-eight patients had papillary thyroid cancer, and 30 had follicular cancer. Nodal recurrence was evident in 30% of patients, and 4% of patients died. Identification of lymph node involvement during preoperative radiologic investigations was strongly prognostic for recurrence: 35.3% of patients with positive preoperative ultrasonography findings and 62.5% of those with positive preoperative computed tomography findings had recurrence (p = 0.01). Conclusions Preoperative identification of lymph node metastasis on radiologic studies was correlated with an increased risk of regional nodal recurrence in well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Computed tomography was superior to ultrasonography in detecting metastatic nodal involvement preoperatively and is therefore recommended for preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up. .

Quantification of mixed chimerism allows early therapeutic interventions

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the curative option for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome; however, it requires a long post-transplantation follow-up. A 53-year-old woman with a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome underwent related donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in July 2006. Three months after transplantation, a comparative short tandem repeat analysis between donor and recipient revealed full chimerism, indicating complete, healthy bone marrow reconstitution. Three years and ten months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the patient developed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Another short tandem repeat analysis was carried out which showed mixed chimerism (52.62%), indicating relapsed disease. A donor lymphocyte infusion was administered. The purpose of donor lymphocyte infusion is to induce a graft-versus-leukemia effect; in fact, this donor's lymphocyte infusion induced full chimerism. Successive short tandem repeat analyses were performed as part of post-transplantation follow-up, and in July 2010, one such analysis again showed mixed chimerism (64.25%). Based on this finding, a second donor lymphocyte infusion was administered, but failed to eradicate the disease. In September 2011, the patient presented with relapsed disease, and a second related donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was performed. Subsequent short tandem repeat analyses revealed full chimerism, indicating complete bone marrow reconstitution. We conclude that quantitative detection of mixed chimerism is an important diagnostic tool that can guide early therapeutic intervention...

Correlations between major risk factors and closely related Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates grouped by three current enotyping procedures: a population-based study in northeast Mexico

The characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) patients related to a chain of recent TB transmissions were investigated. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates (120) were genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-IS6110 (R), spacer oligotyping (S) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (M) methods. The MTB isolates were clustered and the clusters were grouped according to the similarities of their genotypes. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between the groups of MTB isolates with similar genotypes and those patient characteristics indicating a risk for a pulmonary TB (PTB) chain transmission were ana- lysed. The isolates showing similar genotypes were distributed as follows: SMR (5%), SM (12.5%), SR (1.67%), MR (0%), S (46.67%), M (5%) and R (0%). The remaining 35 cases were orphans. SMR exhibited a significant correlation (p < 0.05) with visits to clinics, municipalities and comorbidities (primarily diabetes mellitus). S correlated with drug consumption and M with comorbidities. SMR is needed to identify a social network in metropolitan areas for PTB transmission and S and M are able to detect risk factors as secondary components of a transmission chain of TB.

Genotypes of pathogenic Leptospira spp isolated from rodents in Argentina

Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world and significant efforts have been made to determine and classify pathogenic Leptospira strains. This zoonosis is maintained in nature through chronic renal infections of carrier animals, with rodents and other small mammals serving as the most important reservoirs. Additionally, domestic animals, such as livestock and dogs, are significant sources of human infection. In this study, a multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was applied to genotype 22 pathogenic Leptospira strains isolated from urban and periurban rodent populations from different regions of Argentina. Three MLVA profiles were identified in strains belonging to the species Leptospira interrogans (serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola); one profile was observed in serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae and two MLVA profiles were observed in isolates of serovars Canicola and Portlandvere. All strains belonging to Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Castellonis exhibited the same MLVA profile. Four different genotypes were isolated from urban populations of rodents, including both mice and rats and two different genotypes were isolated from periurban populations.

Pruebas de paternidad mediante ADN / DNA paternity test

La investigación científica de la paternidad biológica es un caso especial de la determinación de la relación genética entre dos o más individuos, con base en los principios de la herencia mendeliana simple de los marcadores genéticos, en los que se establecen que los alelos se segregan en la meiosis de forma independiente y discreta. En la evaluación de las relaciones biológicas forenses la prueba de paternidad es el análisis más común, en el cual los perfiles genéticos de dos individuos (o tres si la madre está disponible) son utilizados para comparar la probabilidad relativa de que uno de ellos sea el padre contra la probabilidad de no estar relacionado con la ascendencia del otro individuo analizado. En este caso las repeticiones cortas en tándem (STR) son los marcadores genéticos no ligados más utilizados para la evaluación del parentesco debido a su alto polimorfismo, y a que los resultados obtenidos, usualmente con la aplicación de estadísticas robustas, favorecen la determinación de la relación. Las repeticiones cortas en tándem son típicamente examinadas por la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) mediante plataformas comerciales de múltiples loci de repeticiones cortas en tándem, eficientes y con gran poder de discriminación. Esta revisión describe el estado actual de las pruebas de paternidad mediante ADN, la metodología, el informe de los resultados y su interpretación, para facilitar su comprensión a los profesionales relacionados de una o de otra manera con estos análisis.

Scientific study of biological paternity is a special case of genetic relationship determinationbetween individuals, based on simple mendelian inheritance principles of genetic markers, which establish that the alleles are segregate independently and discreetly during meiosis. The most common analysis of forensic biological relationships evaluation is the paternity test, which the genetic profiles of two individuals (or three if the mother is available) are uses to compare the relative probability of that one of them being the father against the probability of not is ancestrally related to the other analyzed individual. The short tandem repeats (STR) are the commonly used unlinked genetic markers for relationship evaluation due to their high polymorphism. Besides, the results usually favor the determinationof the relationship when a robust statistical analysis is applied. The short tandem repeats analysis is typically by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using multiple short tandem repeats loci on commercial platforms, which are efficient and with high discriminating power. This review describes the current state of DNA paternity test, the methodology, the results report, and the interpretation, to facilitate their understanding to related professionals with these types of analysis.

Herramienta web para la clasificación de microsatélites polimórficos en genomas bacterianos / Web Tool for classfication of polymorphic microsatellites in bacteria genomes

Las secuencias repetidas en tándem, específicamente los mini y micro satélites, han demostrado ser muy eficaces en la clasificación de bacterias patogénicas como B. anthracis, M. tuberculosis y P. aeruginosa, entre otras. En humanos es manifiesta su participación estando relacionados con más de ochenta enfermedades, gran parte de ellas de tipo neurodegenerativas, musculares y algunos tipos de cáncer. La herramienta web que presentamos es el resultado de la detección computacional de estas secuencias en genomas bacterianos completos y su correspondiente anotación en la estructura genómica de acuerdo a las diferentes regiones donde estos se localizan. La herramienta tiene como fin primario brindar un sistema relacional que permita al investigador ubicar los microsatélites de diferentes especies bacterianas, con más de un genoma secuenciado para inferir su posible carácter polimórfico, dentro del contexto de la estructura genómica y así proveer un primer acercamiento al rol putativo que los microsatélites desempeñan desde el punto de vista funcional. La herramienta se puede aplicar no solo en estudios taxonómicos y epidemiológicos sino en la detección de posibles relaciones de estas secuencias con las funciones moleculares, procesos biológicos y, en última instancia, las diversas formas de evolución de estas especies. El sitio web brinda el servicio de consultas a la base de datos de microsatélites bacterianos de acuerdo al sistema de tablas relacionales y atributos propios de las mismas. Cuenta además con los servicios típicos de un sitio con estas características como: sistema de autenticación, foro, encuestas, enlaces y documentación sobre la metodología empleada y del tema en cuestión(AU)

The tandem repeat sequences, especially mini and microsatellites, have proven to be very effective in classification of pathogenic bacteria such as B. anthracis, M. tuberculosis and P. aeruginosa, among others. In human beings it is manifest its participation, being related with over eighty diseases, nearly all neurodegenerative and muscular, and some kinds of cancer. The web tool we are offering here is the result of computational detection of these sequences in whole bacteria genomes, and its respective annotation in the genomic structure according to the different regions where they are localized. The primary goal of this tool is to offer a relational system that allows mapping the microsatellites of bacterial species, all of them with more than one genome sequenced to infer their possible polymorphic character, in the context of genomic structure and thus providing a first approach to the putative role they perform from the functional point of view. The tool can be applied not only in taxonomical and epidemiological studies but in the detection of possible relationships of these sequences with the molecular functions, the biological processes and, as a last resort, the different forms of these species evolution. The web site offers the service of queries to the bacterial microsatellites database according to the related tables and its inherent attributes. It also has the typical services of this kind of site like: logging system, forum, polls, links and documentation about the employed methodology and the topic(AU)

Insulin-like growth factor 1 gene (CA)n repeats and a variable number of tandem repeats of the insulin gene in Brazilian children born small for gestational age

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of (CA)n repeats in the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene and a variable number of tandem repeats of the insulin gene on birth size in children who are small or adequate-sized for gestational age and to correlate these polymorphisms with serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and insulin sensitivity in children who are small for gestational age, with and without catch-up growth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 439 infants: 297 that were adequate-sized for gestational age and 142 that were small for gestational age (66 with and 76 without catch-up). The number of (CA)n repeat in the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene and a variable number of tandem repeats in the insulin gene were analyzed using GENESCAN software and polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic digestion, respectively. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from all patients. RESULTS: The height, body mass index, paternal height, target height and insulin-like growth factor 1 serum levels were higher in children who were small for gestational age with catch-up. There was no difference in the allelic and genotypic distributions of both polymorphisms between the adequate-sized and small infants or among small infants with and without catch-up. Similarly, the polymorphisms were not associated with clinical or laboratory variables. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of the (CA)n repeats of the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene and a variable number of tandem repeats of the insulin gene, separately or in combination, did not influence pre- or postnatal growth, insulin-like growth factor 1 serum levels or insulin resistance. .

Genome association analysis for pregnancy status following parturition in crossbred beef cattle / Estudo de associação genômica de prenhez pós-parto em vacas de corte

The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity of nine molecular markers, six short tandem repeats - STRs (BM4325, BMS3004, ILSTS002, IDVGA51, HEL5, AFZ1) and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; LepSau3A1 A-B, LepSau3A1 1-2, and FSHRAlu1), linked to genes involved in reproductive function and their possible effect on reproductive performance. For this purpose, 81 crossbred beef cows were used in this study. The animals were classified into two groups (fertile and sub-fertile cows) based on their pregnancy status after two breeding seasons. High genetic diversity level was observed highlighted by the polymorphic content information ranging 0.23 to 0.87 and expected heterozygosity from 27 to 89%, with an average of 62%. Alleles BM4325 103, BMS3004 129, ILSTS002 137, IDVGA51 177, LEPSau3A1 A, LEPSau3A1 1, HEL5 149, AFZ1 119 and FSHRAlu1 G presented high frequencies. Two STRs (IDVGA51 and ILSTS002), linked to Leptin and LH genes, respectively, were associated to reproductive performance. These data support previous findings suggesting the potential use of IDVGA51 and ILSTS002 STRs for reproductive performance selection.

Foi avaliada a diversidade genética de nove marcadores moleculares, dos quais seis do tipo short tandem repeats - STR (BM4325, BMS3004, ILSTS002, IDVGA51, HEL5, AFZ1) e três do tipo single nucleotide polymorphisms - SNPs (LepSau3A1 A-B, LepSau3A1 1-2 e FSHRAlu1), ligados a genes envolvidos na reprodução e seus efeitos na performance reprodutiva. Foram examinadas amostras de sangue de 81 vacas sem raça definida, os animais foram classificados em dois grupos (vacas férteis e subférteis) baseado nas taxas de prenhez de duas estações reprodutivas. Alto nível de diversidade genética foi observado, revelando alto conteúdo de informação polimórfica, variando de 0,23 a 0,87 e heterozigosidade esperada de 27 a 89% com 62% em média. Os alelos mais frequentes foram BM4325 103*, BMS3004 129*, ILSTS002 137*, IDVGA51 177*, LEPSau3A1 A, LEPSau3A1 1, HEL5 149*, AFZ1 119* e FSHRAlu1 G. Os marcadores IDVGA51 e ILSTS002, ligados aos genes da leptina e LH, respectivamente, foram associados a performance reprodutiva. Esses dados suportam achados prévios que sugerem o potencial uso desses marcadores na seleção de animais com maior performance reprodutiva.

Spoligotyping and variable number tandem repeat analysis of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from cattle in Brazil

We performed spoligotyping and 12-mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTRs) typing to characterise Mycobacterium bovis isolates collected from tissue samples of bovines with lesions suggestive for tuberculosis during slaughter inspection procedures in abattoirs in Brazil. High-quality genotypes were obtained with both procedures for 61 isolates that were obtained from 185 bovine tissue samples and all of these isolates were identified as M. bovis by conventional identification procedures. On the basis of the spoligotyping, 53 isolates were grouped into nine clusters and the remaining eight isolates were unique types, resulting in 17 spoligotypes. The majority of the Brazilian M. bovis isolates displayed spoligotype patterns that have been previously observed in strains isolated from cattle in other countries. MIRU-VNTR typing produced 16 distinct genotypes, with 53 isolates forming eight of the groups, and individual isolates with unique VNTR profiles forming the remaining eight groups. The allelic diversity of each VNTR locus was calculated and only two of the 12-MIRU-VNTR loci presented scores with either a moderate (0.4, MIRU16) or high (0.6, MIRU26) discriminatory index (h). Both typing methods produced similar discriminatory indexes (spoligotyping h = 0.85; MIRU-VNTR h = 0.86) and the combination of the two methods increased the h value to 0.94, resulting in 29 distinct patterns. These results confirm that spoligotyping and VNTR analysis are valuable tools for studying the molecular epidemiology of M. bovis infections in Brazil.

Genotipificación de Mycobacterium leprae colombiano para la determinación de patrones de transmisión de la enfermedad / Genotyping colombian Mycobacterium leprae for determining disease transmission patterns

Objetivo Evaluar la variabilidad de VNTR (variable-number tandem repeat) de Mycobacterium leprae de pacientes colombianos con y sin tratamiento previo para identificar posibles fuentes de infección y entender los patrones de transmisión de la enfermedad. Metodología Estudio transversal descriptivo, en donde mediante un muestreo electivo a conveniencia se tomaron 161 biopsias de pacientes multibacilares de lepra, que habían sido solicitadas para diagnóstico y seguimiento de la enfermedad, de las cuales se realizó extracción de ADN de M. leprae y usando la técnica de PCR para VNTRs de M. leprae estandarizada, se establecieron los genotipos y los diferentes clusters mediante el agrupamiento apareado UPGMA. Resultados En las 161 muestras totales se hallaron 22 genotipos VNTRs diferentes, de las cuales 100 muestras (62,1 por ciento) pertenecían al genotipo único VNTRU, y de los genotipos restantes, los mayoritarios, es decir los que dieron lugar a formación de grupos o clusters fueron VNTR17 (5,6 por ciento), VNTR20 (4,3 por ciento), VNTR18 (4,3 por ciento), VNTR14 (4,3 por ciento) y VNTR13 (3,7 por ciento). Conclusión En este estudio se evidencia por análisis de agrupamiento que se pueden detectar clones con diferente grado de virulencia/agresividad, lo cual implica la necesidad de incrementar varias de las actividades del programa de control que darán como resultado la verdadera disminución de la transmisión del microorganismo.

Objective Assessing VNTR (variable-number tandem repeat) variability of Mycobacterium leprae from Colombian patients with and without prior treatment to identify potential sources of infection and to understand the patterns of disease transmission. Methodology This was a descriptive cross-sectional study where a convenience sample of biopsies was taken from 161 multibacillary leprosy patients; diagnosis and monitoring of the disease had been requested for these patients. DNA was extracted from M. leprae and standardised using the PCR technique for M. leprae VNTR, ge­notypes were established and different clusters grouped by unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Results 22 different VNTR genotypes were found from 161 samples, of which 100 samples (62.1 percent) had a single u-VNTR genotype and the remaining genotypes were VNTR 17 (5.6 percent), VNTR 20 (4.3 percent), VNTR 18 (4.3 percent), VNTR 14 (4.3 percent) and VNTR 13 (3.7 percent), namely those forming groups or clusters. Conclusion This study showed that clones can be detected with varying degrees of virulence / aggressiveness by cluster analysis, implying the need for more monitoring programme activities which will result in a real decline in microorganism transmission.

Prevalence of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3/internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD+) in de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients categorized according to cytogenetic risk / Prevalência de duplicação interna in tandem/fms-receptor tirosino-quinase (DIT/FLT3) em pacientes com leucemia mielóide aguda de novo classificados conforme grupos citogenéticos de risco

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The mechanism involved in leukemogenesis remains unclear and more information about the disruption of the cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis of neoplastic cells is required. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional prevalence study at the Discipline of Hematology, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. METHODS: We investigated FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3/internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD+) in 40 adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), categorized according to cytogenetic results, from September 2001 to May 2005. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (32.5 percent) were classified as presenting the favorable karyotype, 11 patients (27.5 percent) as an intermediate group, 7 patients (17 percent) as an undefined group and 9 patients (22.5 percent) as the unfavorable group. FLT3/ITD+ was found in 10 patients (25 percent): 3 with FLT3/ITD+ and favorable karyotype; 4 with FLT3/ITD+ and intermediate karyotype; 2 with FLT3/ITD+ and undefined karyotype; and only 1 with FLT3/ITD+ and unfavorable karyotype. Among the patients without FLT3/ITD+, 10 presented favorable karyotype, 8 intermediate, 4 undefined and 8 unfavorable karyotype. The cytogenetic results showed no correlations between FLT3/ITD presence and the prognostic groups (P = 0.13). We found that 2 patients were still alive more than 24 months later, FLT3/ITD+ did not influence the patients' survival rate. CONCLUSION: We found the same frequency of AML with FLT3/ITD+ in both the favorable and intermediate prognosis groups. Only one patient presented AML, FLT3/ITD+ and unfavorable karyotype (the hypothetical worst clinical situation). Therefore, the prognostic advantage of favorable cytogenetics among patients with FLT3/ITD+ remains to be elucidated, for it to be better understood.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O mecanismo envolvido na leucemogênese permanece obscuro, e maiores informações a respeito das inadequadas proliferação, diferenciação e apoptose das células neoplásicas é fundamental. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal de prevalência na Disciplina de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Nós pesquisamos a duplicação interna in tandem (DIT) do gene FLT3 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase) em 40 pacientes adultos com leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA) de novo, classificados de acordo com os resultados de cariótipo em banda G, de setembro de2001 a maio de 2005. RESULTADOS: Treze pacientes (32,5 por cento) foram classificados como cariótipo favorável, 11 pacientes (27,5 por cento) como grupo intermediário, 7 pacientes (17 por cento) no grupo de prognóstico indefinido e os restantes 9 pacientes (22,5 por cento) foram alocados como desfavorável. A DIT/FLT3 foi encontrada em 10 pacientes (25 por cento), 3 pacientes com DIT/FLT3 e cariótipo favorável, 4 com DIT/FLT3 e cariótipo intermediário, 2 com DIT/FLT3 e cariótipo de prognóstico indefinido e somente 1 paciente com DIT/FLT3 e cariótipo desfavorável. Entre os pacientes sem DIT/FLT3, 10 apresentaram cariótipo favorável, 8 com cariótipo intermediário, 4 com cariótipo de prognóstico indefinido e 8 com cariótipo desfavorável. Não houve correlação entre a presença de DIT/FLT3 e os grupos de prognóstico conforme resultados de citogenética (P = 0,13). No presente estudo encontramos 2 pacientes vivos por mais de 24 meses. A presença de DIT/FLT3 não influenciou a taxa de sobrevida dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Nós observamos a mesma frequência de LMA com DIT/FLT3 tanto no grupo de cariótipo favorável quanto no grupo intermediário e somente um paciente com LMA e DIT/FLT3 e cariótipo desfavorável, hipoteticamente o pior achado clínico. Desta forma, a vantagem prognóstica do cariótipo favorável em pacientes DIT/FLT3 permanece a ser esclarecida ...

Y Chromosomal STR Polymorphism in Northern Chinese Populations

Y chromosomal STRs show sufficient variability among individduals in a population and a high degree of geographical differentiation, such that their polymorphic character makes them especially suited for population genetic studies. To investígate the polymorphism of a set of 17 Y-STR loci in northern China, we genotyped the 17 Y chromosomal STR loci in a population sample of 377 unrelated males from eight ethnic populations in northern China. We calculated the haplotype frequencies, Rst value and carried out the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). We then drew the multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) plot and phylogenetic tree based on the Rst value. All populations showed a high level of haplotype diversity, with low inter-population variance as measured by an analysis of molecular variance. However, the genetic distances were significant when the eight populations were compared to other populations. By MDS and the phylogenetic tree, we found that the eight populations had a close relationship and Xibo had a northeast origination.

Epidemiologia molecular das cepas de Yersinia pestis isoladas no Nordeste do Brasil pela análise do número variável de repetições em Tandem (MLVA) / Molecular epidemiology from Yersinia pestis strains isolated in Brazil for Multiple Locus Variable Analisys (MLVA)

A Yersinia pestis é o agente etiológico da peste, uma doença primária de roedores, transmitida por pulgas infectadas e que pode infectar o homem e outros mamíferos. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar a tipagem de 63 cepas de Y. pestis de três focos de peste do PE. As cepas foram isoladas de diferentes fontes e períodos. Das 63 cepas, 20 foram isoladas de um epizootia, em agosto de 1967, na Chapada do Araripe-PE. Também foram estudadas oito cepas de Y. pestis isoladas em outros países, cinco cepas de Y. pseudotuberculosis e nove de Y. enterocolitica. Foram utilizados onze VNTRs pela técnica do MLVA. Dos onze VNTRs para as cepas da epizootia apenas um revelou-se polimórfico apresentando diferentes alelos. Os demais VNTRs revelaram-se monomórficos. Entre os onze VNTRs analisados para as 51 cepas de Y. pestis (43 brasileiras e 8 estrageiras) dois se revelaram monomórficos gerando amplicons com 7 e 2 unidades repetitivas (UR). Os outros nove VNTRs analisados revelaram-se polimórficos gerando dois a oito alelos. As cepas de Y. pseudotuberculosis apresentaram-se polimórficas para 10 VNTRs gerando amplicons de tamanhos diversos, o VNTR ms09 foi o único monomórfico gerando um amplicon de 700 pb com 28 UR. Das nove cepas de Y. enterocolitica analisadas com os onze locos, sete apresentaram-se monomórficos com amplicons de 700, 250, 270, 690, 231 e 379 pb. Os outros quatro VNTRs analisados apresentaram um padrão de amplificação polimórfico com amplicons de tamanhos diferentes para o mesmo loco. O padrão de amplificação gerado com as cepas de Y. pestis possibilitou distribui-las em 35 perfis genotípicos. A análise das cepas pelo dendrograma permitiu agrupá-las em cinco clados, onde no clado I ficaram agrupadas a maioria das cepas brasileiras de Y. pestis, as cepas estrangeiras de Y. pestis ficaram agrupadas nos clados II e IV, enquanto que Y. enterocolitica e Y. pseudotuberculosis ficaram nos clados III e V respectivamente. Diante dissso pode-se considerar que o MLVA mostrou-se uma ferramenta útil em estudos filogenéticos e epidemiológicos das cepas brasileiras de Y. pestis, além de estudos intraespecíficos com as espécies de Y. enterocolitica e Y. pseudotuberculosis. As análises revelaram diversidade genética entre as cepas de Y. pestis isoladas de diferentes fontes e períodos e sua continuação poderá gerar dados importantes para estabelecer relações filogenéticas entre as cepas, contribuindo para um melhor entendimento da disseminação e transmissão do agente etiológico da peste na natureza e a dinâmica da epidemiologia no Brasil.

Nueva variante en el polimorfismo del intrón 4 de la enzima Oxido Nítrico Sintasa endotelial (eNOS) / A new variant of the polymorphism in the fourth intron from the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme

Nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase enzyme (eNOS) is an important mediator of the vascular function. Various polymorphisms have been described for the eNOS gene that has effects on its expression. One of the most studied markers in the eNOS gen is located in the fourth intron and is characterized by the presence of a variable number of tandemly repeated sequence of 27 base pairs. In this work we report the existence and the sequence of a new variant for these polymorphism and we hypothestize its potential role in the regulation of NO productition by eNOS.