Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatitis B virus + hepatitis C virus-co-infected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis treated with ombitasvir, paritaprevir/r + dasabuvir + ribavirin.

Hepatitis B virus may reactivate in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with direct-acting antivirals. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HBV + hepatitis C virus (HCV)-co-infected patients with compensated liver cirrhosis treated with paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir, dasabuvir with ribavirin. We reviewed prospectively gathered data from a national cohort of 2070 hepatitis C virus patients with compensated liver cirrhosis who received reimbursed paritaprevir/ombitasvir/r, dasabuvir with ribavirin for 12 weeks from the Romanian National Health Agency during 2015-2016. Twenty-five patients in this cohort were HBs antigen positive (1.2%); 15 untreated with nucleotide analogues agreed to enter the study. These patients were followed up: ALT monthly, serology for HBV and DNA viral load at baseline, EOT and SVR at 12 weeks. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-co-infected patients were all genotype 1b and 52% females, with a median age of 60 years (51 ÷ 74); 76% were pretreated with peginterferon + ribavirin; 72% were with severe necroinflammatory activity on FibroMax assessment; 40% presented comorbidities; and all were HBe antigen negative. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) SVR response rate was 100%. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA viral load was undetectable in 7/15 (47%) before therapy, and for the other 8 patients, it varied between below 20 and 867 IU/mL. Five patients (33%) presented virological reactivation (>2 log increase in HBV-DNA levels) during therapy. One patient presented with hepatitis associated with HBV reactivation, and two started anti-HBV therapy with entecavir. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) virological reactivation was present in 33% in our patients. Generally, HBV-DNA elevations were mild (<20 000 IU/mL); however, we report one case of hepatitis associated with HBV reactivation.

Plasmodium vivax malaria in a Romanian traveller returning from Greece, August 2011.

In August 2011, a Plasmodium vivax malaria infection was diagnosed in a Romanian traveller returning from Greece. This case together with several reports over the past decade of autochthonous cases in Greece highlight that malaria should be considered as differential diagnosis in symptomatic travellers returning from this country. Travellers may serve as sentinels of emerging vector-borne diseases.

Identification and cytogenetic analysis of an abnormal pig chromosome for flow cytometry and sorting.

For cytogenetics of pig (Sus scrofa domestica) and the influence of chromosome aberrations on pig production, high interest exists in flow sorted chromosomes for gene mapping, to establish DNA-libraries, or to produce DNA-probes. Flow karyotyping and sorting as well as slit scan flow analysis of metaphase chromosomes of an abnormal cell type carrying a translocation marker chromosome 6/15 are described. Flow sorting of the largest chromosomes of these cells was performed. After sorting the chromosomes still had a well preserved morphology and were identified microscopically by G-banding. The quality of the band pattern of the sorted chromosomes was compatible to that of isolated chromosomes not subjected to flow cytometry. The sorted fraction showed an enrichment of chromosome 6/15 and chromosome 1 which have quantitatively about the same integrated fluorescence intensity. Slit scan flow analysis was performed to discriminate these two chromosomes. Metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes were analyzed according to their bimodal slit scan profiles. Profiles of the largest chromosomes were distinguished by their different centromeric indices. Two groups were interpreted as the normal chromosome 1 and the translocation chromosome 6/15.

[Consequences of abnormalities of chromosome structure in domestic animals]. / Conséquences des anomalies de la structure chromosomique chez les animaux domestiques.

Abnormalities in chromosome structure generally have no phenotypic expression but are very often associated with reproductive disorders. In cattle, sheep and goats, the robertsonian translocation seems to be the most frequent abnormality of chromosome structure. In the pig, reciprocal translocations are very common. The accumulation of data on the frequency of such abnormalities and their effects on reproductive performance prompted an evaluation of their economic consequences in cattle and pigs. In cattle, because of the negative effect of 1/29 translocation, an eradication program, based on the removal of carrier bulls from artificial insemination centers was established. In pig, the main effect of the reciprocal translocations was a reduction in the number of offspring, up to 50%, thus representing a considerable economic loss.

[The frequency of chromosome abnormalities in farm animals and their economic consequences]. / L'incidence des anomalies chromosomiques chez les animaux de ferme et leurs conséquences économiques.

Examinations during the last two decades of the chromosome complements of various species of domestic animals have revealed the existence of a considerable number of abnormalities, including inherited rearrangements: approximately 20 in cattle, 15 in pigs (predominantly reciprocal translocations), 3 in sheep, 2 in horses (predominantly monosomy X), and 1 in goats. (The accumulation of data on the frequency of such abnormalities and evaluation of their effects on reproductive performances of carriers of inherited rearrangement depends on a number of factors including the use of artificial insemination, number or progeny per sire or dam, and differences in generation intervals of the species concerned). The economic value of the cytogenetic findings depends on the degree of exchange of information between the breeders and the cytogenetics laboratories. An example of a successful collaboration is a Swedish study of a centric fusion translocation in Swedish Red and White cattle, one that affects chromosomes 1 and 29. There, the fertility-reducing effects of the translocation led to a loss of approximately $250,000. Recognition of the significance of the translocation prompted a search for carrier bulls and their elimination from the artificial insemination units. In swine, in which artificial insemination is used much less than in cattle, data on the frequency of reciprocal translocations in general must be obtained from the farms themselves. The main effect of an inherited chromosome rearrangement is a reduction in the number of offspring, perhaps to 50%, i.e., five piglets per litter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytogenetics of preimplantation embryos produced by pigs heterozygous for the reciprocal translocation (4q+;14q-).

The karyotype of embryos and newborns produced by pigs heterozygous for the reciprocal translocation rep(4q+;14q-) were studied. Forty-seven 9- to 10-day-old embryos were recovered. Only 27 (57.3%) could be karyotyped. Of these, 16 (59.3%) had normal or balanced heterozygous karyotypes, and 11 (40.7%) had unbalanced ones. Six different types of unbalanced karyotypes were identified. No unbalanced karyotypes was found in 38 newborn piglets produced by five heterozygous animals. It was concluded that unbalanced karyotypes are lethal at the embryonic stage.

Chromosome R-banding patterns and NOR homologies in the European wild pig and four breeds of domestic pig.

Four European wild pigs and 27 domestic pigs were studied; three Landrace, 12 village pigs from Papua New Guinea, two Chinese pigs Meishan and 10 Creole pigs from the French Antilles. The R-banding patterns were identical for all domestic breeds despite their different history and geographical divergence. The European wild pigs showed a similar R-banding pattern and a centric fusion between pairs 15 and 17 (2n = 36). The nucleolar organizers (NORs) in the European wild pig and the four domestic breeds were localized on the secondary constriction of chromosomes 8 and 10. All animals exhibited in the majority of metaphases two NORs on both chromosomes 10. In some animals. the NORs were expressed only in one of the homologs of chromosome 8. The Chinese pigs had a high amount of silver precipitates on two homologs of chromosome 8. This study confirms several previous reports on the polymorphism of NOR patterns in different domestic pig breeds.

Flow cytometry of normal and abnormal pig karyotypes. Preliminary report.

Flow cytometry technique was applied to normal pig chromosomes and to three different reciprocal translocations: trcp (4q-; 14p), trcp (3p+;7q-) and trcp (1q-;15q+). The rearranged chromosomes generate new peaks which seem to correspond to their relative lengths. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm these results by banding analysis and/or by hybridization on these chromosomes with probes of genes known to be localized on them.

Chromosomal localization of a bovine male specific probe.

The B.C.1.2. probe, a fairly repeated sequence of the bovine male genome, was located by in situ hybridization on cattle karyotype. Of a total of 711 silver grains, 139 (19.5%) clustered on chromosome Y and about 71% of the grains were located on the short arm. This Y specific bovine male probe could be useful for routine embryo sexing in connection with embryo transfer.

Cytogenetic evaluation of boars with a low prolificacy: two new types of chromosome translocation.

Using the National Program for Sow Herd Management, two hypoprolific boars have been identified. The first one, a Large White, had produced on an average 7.2 piglets per litter in 24 litters. The second one, a Pietrain, had produced 6.11 piglets per litter in 28 litters. These animals are carrying two new chromosome translocations involving chromosomes 1 and 15 and 4 and 15, respectively. The animal production consequences of the chromosome translocations are discussed.

Collagen substrates for cytogenetic studies of domestic animal embryos.

A technique of cell culture on collagen substrate is proposed for cytogenetic studies on domestic animal embryos. The embryonic cells sampled by biopsy or micromanipulation grow on collagen coated cover slips in Leighton tubes with Ham's F12 medium, supplemented with 20 percent fetal calf serum. This method may be used to study the embryonic karyotype induced by a structural abnormality, as well as the karyotype of domestic animal embryos before transfer.

Reciprocal translocations in pigs. Their detection and consequences on animal performance and economic losses.

In France, the national computerized program for sow herd management regularly delivers a listing of hypoprolific boars for which a cytogenetic evaluation is required, and participates in the differential diagnosis of the other causes of reduced prolificacy. Two reciprocal translocations, 4/14 and 7/15, reducing the prolificacy by about 45 percent have been discovered since 1979. A third one, leading to a prolificacy reduction of about 28 percent, is described in the present paper. The effects of translocation 4/14 were studied in an experimental herd, in which the ovulation rate did not seem to be modified and the early embryonic mortality accounted for the decrease in litter size. The growth rate at day 35 was higher in piglets carrying the chromosomal abnormality than in their normal littermates, i.e., 215 vs. 182 g per day (P less than 0.10). The economic consequences of using a boar carrying a translocation on a group of 21 sows were estimated by means of a simulation model "Porsim." When prolificacy decreased by five piglets per litter, the losses represented 157 piglets, i.e., about $4000. If, in addition to this, the percentage of non-returns into heat decreased by 35 percent, the losses then represented 248 piglets, i.e., $6000. Because of this important economic risk, it is suggested that measures be taken to detect defective animals and to prevent their use.

[Two novel reciprocal translocations involving chromosome 6 in the domestic pig]. / Deux nouvelles translocations réciproques impliquant le chromosome 6 chez le porc domestique.

In the present study 2 new reciprocal translocations are described in two hypoprolific boars. The first one, a Gascon/Meishan boar, has produced a mean value of 7.37 +/- 0.69 piglets, vs 12.41 +/- 0.22 piglets per litter in contemporaries. The second one, a Pietrain/Large-White boar, has produced a mean of 5.42 +/- 0.69 vs 12.41 +/- 0.22 piglets per litter in contemporaries. Each of these animals carries a new chromosome translocation involving chromosomes 6, 8 and 15, respectively. The first translocation seems to be a de novo occurring abnormality. The economic consequences of these abnormalities are discussed. Carrier of the gene HAL, the abnormal chromosomes 6 involved in these translocations are important, and could useful markers in gene mapping and flow cytometry studies in pigs.

Chromosomal localization of the BLV receptor candidate gene in cattle, sheep, and goat.

The BLV receptor candidate gene has been localized precisely on cattle, goat, and sheep chromosomes using nonradioactive in situ hybridization and simultaneous fluorescent R-banding. The probe, a whole plasmid containing a 2.3-kb bovine cDNA fragment encoding part of this gene, was nick-translated in the presence of biotin-11-dUTP. It hybridized on band q15 of cattle chromosome 7, goat chromosome 7, and sheep chromosome 5, thus confirming the homoeology based on banding patterns among the chromosomes of these three species.

Synaptonemal complexes analysis in a bull carrying a 4;8 Robertsonian translocation.

Synaptonemal complexes analysis was performed using electron microscopy on surface-spread spermatocytes of a bull heterozygous for the 4;8 Robertsonian translocation. In 19 cells examined, the longest autosomal complex showed kinetochores in a central position whereas the remaining autosomal complexes showed terminal kinetochores. Synapsis in the trivalent appeared complete in all cells, and the trivalents usually showed a CIS configuration. The arm ratio varied from 1.05 to 2.04 with an average of 1.32 +/- 0.43. Out of 47 cells showing X-Y bivalents, 34 showed a small synaptonemal complex at one extremity of the X chromosome, and an unstained gap in the Y chromosome. There was no association between the X-Y bivalent and the trivalent. The absence of association would explain the normal spermatogenesis noted in this bull, in contrast to human and mouse carriers of translocations which show impaired spermatogenesis due to the association between the rearranged chromosomes and the sex vesicle. Further studies involving bulls carrying one or more Robertsonian translocations are needed to determine whether this absence of association is a constant feature in cattle.

[Stopping of chromosome condensation in the interspecific hybrid between common duck and Cairina moschata]. / Arrêt de la condensation chromosomique chez l'hybride interspécifique entre cane commune et canard de Barbarie, le mulard.

The study of mitotic chromosomes from mule embryos at the 72-96 hour stage has shown that there is a blockage in the condensation of large regions of the small arms of the inherited number 1 parent chromosomes. Zones of decondensation on chromosomes 2 and 3 were also observed. In some cells there is a blockage of condensation ("prophazing") in most of the microchromosomes. These phenomena could be linked to the inactivation of part of the hybrid genome and explain at least some of the early mortality of these intergeneric embryos.

Heterosynapsis in a heterozygous fertile boar carrier of a 3;7 translocation.

Silver-stained synaptonemal complexes (SCs) in surface-spread pachytene nuclei from a boar, heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation, were analysed by electron microscopy. In such heterozygotes, cross-shaped quadrivalent configurations are expected to form in order to maximize homologous pairing. Contrary to the classical, expected cross-shaped configuration, heterosynapsis was often observed, with asymmetrical association in the lateral elements of the non-homologous partners of the quadrivalents. This heterosynapsis is assumed to be a mechanism preventing spermatocyte loss, but inducing a secondary segregational type of impairment of fertility due to foetal wastage leading to reduced prolificacy.

A new case of Robertsonian translocation in cattle.

A new Robertsonian translocation was found in several animals of the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed. The fused chromosome analyzed by G- and R-banding results from the fusion of chromosomes 21 and 27. C-banding suggests that the fused chromosome is dicentric.