Somatic homozygous loss of SH2B3, and a non-Robertsonian translocation t(15;21)(q25.3;q22.1) with NTRK3 rearrangement, in an adolescent with progenitor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the iAMP21.

Intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) occurs in ∼2% of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is considered to confer a poor prognosis. The relapse risk is associated with therapy intensity, suggesting that other somatic mutations may influence iAMP21-ALL prognosis. This abnormality is characterized by multiple copies of the RUNX1 gene in chromosome 21 and appears to arise through multiple breakage-fusion bridge cycles and chromothripsis. Rob(15;21) or a ring chromosome 21 have been associated with an increased risk for iAMP21-ALL, suggesting that constitutional genetic abnormalities may also drive leukemogenesis. Here we describe homozygous deletion of the SH2B3 gene, chromothripsis of chromosome 21, and a non-Robertsonian somatic t(15;21)(q25.3;q22.1) with NTRK3 gene rearrangement in an adolescent with iAMP21-B-ALL. Molecular cytogenetic studies detected iAMP21 with aCGH analysis revealing further genomic imbalances. The RT-qPCR analysis detected elevated expression levels of RUNX1 (68-fold) and reduced expression of CDK6 (0.057-fold). Studies with constitutive cells collected from mouth swabs showed that SH2B3 biallelic deletion was a somatic alteration occurring during clonal evolution. The identification of novel secondary genetic changes was valuable to discuss sporadic iAMP21 leukemogenic mechanisms. For the first time, we show a t(15;21)(q25.3;q22.1) with NTRK3 rearrangement in an adolescent with iAMP21-ALL.

Avaliação fisiológica e comportamental de cães utilizados em terapia assistida por animais (TAA) / Phyisiological and behavioral assessment in dogs used in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)

Realizou-se a observação comportamental de nove cães terapeutas (oito da raça Labrador Retriever e um Golden Retriever), dosaram-se cortisol sérico e salivar, aferiram-se a temperatura retal, a pressão arterial sistólica e as frequências cardíaca e respiratória nos seguintes momentos: M0 (média de três avaliações do cão em repouso) e em M1, M2 e M3 (imediatamente antes, imediatamente após e decorridas 24h das atividades de terapia assistida por animais - TAA), respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa quanto às características estudadas (P>0,05), exceto pela temperatura, que foi mais elevada em M1 e M2 do que em M0 (P=0,009). A avaliação comportamental, realizada de maneira descritiva, não apresentou alteração negativa. Houve diferença significativa quanto à concentração de cortisol sérico entre os momentos M1 e M3 (P=0,071), e não ocorreu diferença da concentração do cortisol salivar entre os quatro momentos (P=0,746). As alterações observadas foram atribuídas à contenção e à manipulação dos animais e não desencadearam desconforto físico ou estresse dignos de nota em cães.

Behavioral observation of nine therapist dogs (eight Labrador Retrievers and one Golden Retriever) was performed and serum and salivar cortisol dosage, rectal temperature, systolic blood pressure and heart and respiratory rates were measured and evaluated at the following moments: M0 (average of three evaluations of the dog at rest) and M1, M2 e M3 (immediately before, at the end and 24 hours after the AAT activities, respectively). There was no significant difference in the parameters between the moments (P>0.05) except for temperature, which was higher in M1 and M2 than M0 (P=0.009). The behavioral assessment was conducted in a descriptive way and didn't present a negative effect. There was significant difference when comparing the serum cortisol levels between M1 and M3 (P=0.0712). There wasn't asignificant difference in salivary cortisol levels when comparing the values of the four moments (P=0.7458). The observed alterations are probably related to the containment and handling of animals, demonstrating that the therapy doesn't have a negative effect on dogs.

Inhibition of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) adherence to HEp-2 cells by bovine colostrum and milk

Background: enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is the main etiological agent of infantile diarrhea in Brazil and other developing countries. Human milk IgA protects newborn intestinal mucosa by inhibiting bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells and this effect is shown by in vitro assays of EPEC adhesion to HEp-2 cultured cells. Bovine milk, if effective in promoting this protection, could be an useful tool in the absence of the natural breastfeeding, in high-risk nurseries or in hospital infections. Methods: the effect of colostrum, milk, and serum from dairy cows on the adherence to EPEC to HEp-2 cells was investigated. Colostrum from immunized and control animals and industrialized milk formulas were fractionated through a membrane device with a molecular weight cut off 10 kDa. The high molecular weight fraction (HMWF) of bovine colostrum was depleted of IgG through an affinity column and absorbed with an EPEC adherent strain. Antibodies were searched by ELISA and immunoblotting (IB). Results: colostrum and milk from EPEC-immunized animals showed and inhibitory activity on adherence similar to that of contol non-immunized animals. The inhibitory effect on adhesion was related to the HMWF. IgG-depleted colostrum partially retained the inhibitory effect, whereas IgG-rich eluate lost this property. The EPEC-absorbed fraction retained the inhibitory property. Industrialized milk formulas and respective HMWF also inhibited bacterial adherence. In IB assays, colostrum and milk samples from immunized animals recognized proteins of 30-40 kDa and 94 kDa, a molecular weight consistent with the adhesin intimin, in EPEC extracts. Conclusions: the inhibitory effect of EPEC adherence may be mediated by HMWF components, and IgG was not the only component responsible for this phenomenon (AU)

Antecedentes: Escherichia coli enteropatogénica (EPEC) es el principal agente etiológico de diarrea infantil en el Brasil y en otros países en desarrollo. La IgA presente en la leche humana protege la mucosa intestinal del recién nacido por inhibición de la acción bacteriana a las células epiteliales. Este efecto es observado por ensayos in vitro de adhesión de EPEC a células HEp-2. La leche bovina, de ser efectiva en estos mecanismos de protección, podría ser una herramienta importante en ausencia de lactancia en nurseries o en infecciones hospitalarias. Métodos: fue investigado el efecto del calostro, leche y suero de vacas en la adherencia de la EPEC a la pared de células HEp-2. Calostro de animales inmunizados y animales control, como también leche de formulación industrial fueron fraccionadas a través de una membrana con un corte para un peso molecular de 10 kDa. La fracción de mayor peso molecular (HMWF) de calostro bovino fue liberada de IgG a través de una columna de afinidad y absorbida con una cepa adherente de EPEC. Fueron investigados anticuerpos por técnicas de ELISA e immunoblotting (IB).Resultados: el calostro y leche de animales inmunizados con EPEC mostraron una actividad inhibitoria en la adherencia similar a la de los animales control no inmunizados. El efecto en la adhesión fue asociado a la HMWF. El calostro libre de IgG retuvo parcialmente el efecto inhibitorio, mientras que la fracción eluida rica en IgG perdió esta propiedad. La fracción absorbida en EPEC retuvo la propiedad inhibitoria. La leche de formulación industrial y la HMWF también inhibieron la adherencia bacteriana. En ensayos de IB, muestras de calostro y leche de animales inmunizados reconocieron proteínas de 30-40 kDa y 94 kDa, peso molecular coincidente con el de la adhesina intimina en los extractos de EPEC. Conclusiones: el efecto inhibitorio de la adherencia de la EPEC podría estar mediado por HMWF y la IgG no sería el único componente responsable por este fenómeno (AU)

Estudos cromossomicos em individuos portadores de retardo mental e atraso psicomotor

O retardo mental e uma caracteristica comum aos pacientes que buscam o Servico de Genetica Medica, apresentando heterogeneidade clinica e etiologica. Neste trabalho, estudos cromossomicos foram realizados em 30 individuos portadores de retardo mental e atraso psicomotor: Verificamos que 40 por cento dos individuos investigados apresentaram anomalias cromossomicas. Nos demais casos (60 por cento) o cariotipo foi normal. Este estudo reforca a importancia da investigacao citogenetica em individuos portadores de retardo mental e atraso psicomotor rastreando aberracoes cromossomicas numericas ou estruturais e auxiliando no diagnostico e Aconselhamento Genetico das familias.