Distinct iron architecture in SF3B1-mutant myelodysplastic syndrome patients is linked to an SLC25A37 splice variant with a retained intron

Perturbation in iron homeostasis is a hallmark of some hematologic diseases. Abnormal sideroblasts with accumulation of iron in the mitochondria are named ring sideroblasts (RS). RS is a cardinal feature of refractory anemia with RS (RARS) and RARS with marked thrombocytosis (RARS/-T). Mutations in SF3B1, a member of the RNA splicing machinery are frequent in RARS/-T and defects of this gene were linked to RS formation. Here we showcase the differences in iron architecture of SF3B1-mutant and wild-type (WT) RARS/-T and provide new mechanistic insights by which SF3B1 mutations lead to differences in iron. We found higher iron levels in SF3B1 mutant vs WT RARS/-T by transmission electron microscopy/spectroscopy/flow cytometry. SF3B1 mutations led to increased iron without changing the valence as shown by the presence of Fe(2+) in mutant and WT. Reactive oxygen species and DNA damage were not increased in SF3B1-mutant patients. RNA-sequencing and Reverse transcriptase PCR showed higher expression of a specific isoform of SLC25A37 in SF3B1-mutant patients, a crucial importer of Fe(2+) into the mitochondria. Our studies suggest that SF3B1 mutations contribute to cellular iron overload in RARS/-T by deregulating SLC25A37.

Prevalence and incidence rate of injuries in runners at a local athletic club in Cape Town

People across the world are running on a daily basis to improvetheir health status. However, running can predispose an individual to injuryto the back and lower limb. Baseline data on prevalence, incidence rate ofinjury and aetiological factors associated with running injuries are neededby physiotherapists to develop and implement effective prevention programmesto allow optimal performance in runners. Thus, the purpose of this study wasto determine the prevalence and incidence of injuries in runners at a localathletic club.Methods: A prospective, non-experimental cohort study was conductedover a 16 week period. A sample of 50 runners completed a self-administeredquestionnaire and an injury report form recording injuries sustained during the 16 week study period. Injury prevalence andcumulative incidence was calculated as a proportion rate along with 95% confidence interval.Results: The prevalence rate of injuries was 32%. The incidence rate of injuries was 0.67 per 1000km run (95% CI: 0.41- 1.08).The most common anatomical sites for new injuries were the calf (20%) and the knee (18%).Conclusions: The study found a moderate prevalence and incidence rate of injury in runners, thus the need for physiotherapyledinjury surveillance and prevention programmes have been highlighted.

Application of Illumina next-generation sequencing to characterize the bacterial community of the Upper Mississippi River

AIMS

A next-generation, Illumina-based sequencing approach was used to characterize the bacterial community at ten sites along the Upper Mississippi River to evaluate shifts in the community potentially resulting from upstream inputs and land use changes. Furthermore, methodological parameters including filter size, sample volume and sample reproducibility were evaluated to determine the best sampling practices for community characterization.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Community structure and diversity in the river was determined using Illumina next-generation sequencing technology and the V6 hypervariable region of 16S rDNA. A total of 16,400 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed (4594 ± 824 OTUs per sample). Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria and Verrucomicrobia accounted for 93.6 ± 1.3% of all sequence reads, and 90.5 ± 2.5% belonged to OTUs shared among all sites (n = 552). Among nonshared sequence reads at each site, 33-49% were associated with potentially anthropogenic impacts upstream of the second sampling site. Alpha diversity decreased with distance from the pristine headwaters, while rainfall and pH were positively correlated with diversity. Replication and smaller filter pore sizes minimally influenced the characterization of community structure.

CONCLUSIONS

Shifts in community structure are related to changes in the relative abundance, rather than presence/absence of OTUs, suggesting a 'core bacterial community' is present throughout the Upper Mississippi River.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study is among the first to characterize a large riverine bacterial community using a next-generation-sequencing approach and demonstrates that upstream influences and potentially anthropogenic impacts can influence the presence and relative abundance of OTUs downstream resulting in significant variation in community structure.

Randomized comparison of prophylaxis and on-demand regimens with FEIBA NF in the treatment of haemophilia A and B with inhibitors

Factor replacement therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe haemophilia A and B can be complicated by the production of inhibitory alloantibodies to factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX. Treatment with the nanofiltered anti-inhibitor coagulant complex, Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA NF), is a key therapeutic option for controlling acute haemorrhages in patients with high-titre inhibitors or low-titre inhibitors refractory to replacement therapy. Given the high risk for morbidity and mortality in haemophilia patients with inhibitors to FVIII or FIX, we conducted this Phase 3 prospective study to evaluate whether prophylaxis with FEIBA NF is a safe and effective treatment option. Over a 1-year period, 17 subjects were treated prophylactically (85 ± 15 U kg⁻¹ every other day) while 19 subjects were treated on demand. The median (IQR) annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during prophylaxis was 7.9 (8.1), compared to 28.7 (32.3) during on-demand treatment, which amounts to a 72.5% reduction and a statistically significant difference in ABRs between arms (P = 0.0003). Three (17.6%) subjects (ITT) on prophylaxis experienced no bleeding episodes, whereas none treated on demand were bleeding episode-free. Total utilization of FEIBA NF for the treatment of bleeding episodes was significantly higher during on-demand therapy than prophylaxis (P = 0.0067). There were no differences in the rates of related adverse events between arms. This study demonstrates that FEIBA prophylaxis significantly reduces all types of bleeding compared with on-demand treatment, and the safety of prophylaxis is comparable to that of on-demand treatment.

Thermal inactivation of a single strain each of serotype O26:H11, O45:H2, O103:H2, O104:H4, O111:H⁻, O121:H19, O145:NM, and O157:H7 cells of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in wafers of ground beef

For each of two trials, freshly ground beef of variable fat content (higher: 70:30 %lean:%fat; lower: 93:7 %lean:%fat) was separately inoculated with ca. 7.0 log CFU/g of a single strain of Escherichia coli serotypes O26:H11, O45:H2, O103:H2, O104:H4, O111:H⁻, O121:H19, O145:NM, and O157:H7. Next, ca. 3-g samples of inoculated beef were transferred into sterile filter bags and then flattened (ca. 1.0 mm thick) and vacuum sealed. For each temperature and sampling time, three bags of the inoculated wafers of beef were submerged in a thermostatically controlled water bath and heated to an internal temperature of 54.4°C (130°F) for up to 90 min, to 60°C (140°F) for up to 4 min, or to 65.6°C (150°F) for up to 0.26 min. In lower fat wafers, D-values ranged from 13.5 to 23.6 min, 0.6 to 1.2 min, and 0.05 to 0.08 min at 54.4, 60.0, and 65.6°C, respectively. Heating higher fat wafers to 54.4, 60.0, and 65.6°C generated D-values of 18.7 to 32.6, 0.7 to 1.1, and 0.05 to 0.2 min, respectively. In addition, we observed reductions of ca. 0.7 to 6.7 log CFU/g at 54.4°C after 90 min, ca. 1.1 to 6.1 log CFU/g at 60.0°C after 4 min, and 0.8 to 5.8 log CFU/g at 65.6°C after 0.26 min. Thus, cooking times and temperatures effective for inactivating a serotype O157:H7 strain of E. coli in ground beef were equally effective against the seven non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing strains investigated herein.