A major component of the observed genetic variation for pre-harvest sprouting in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) appears to be the level of seed dormancy. Group 3 chromosomes have received attention as carrying the R genes for seed-coat color and the taVp1 genes that are orthologous to the maize Vp1 gene which encode a dormancy-related transcription factor. The objectives of the present study were to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed dormancy on chromosome 3A and to investigate an association between taVp1 or R-A1 and the QTLs detected. A mapping population in the form of recombinant inbred lines developed from the cross between the highly dormant Zenkoujikomugi (Zen) and Chinese Spring (CS) was utilized. Nineteen marker loci, including taVp1, were mapped on chromosome 3A. The taVp1 locus was located in the middle of the long arm, about 85 cM from the centromere. The population was evaluated in duplicate by growing them under controlled environment conditions. Two QTLs for seed dormancy, designated as QPhs.ocs-3A.1 and QPhs.ocs-3A.2, were identified on the short and long arms, respectively. QPhs.ocs-1 explained 23-38% of the phenotypic variation and the Zen allele had a striking effect on maintaining dormancy. QPhs.ocs-2, with a minor effect, was detectable only at the dormancy-breaking stage. Although QPhs.ocs-2 was loosely linked to taVp1 by around 50 cM, they are clearly distinct genes. Zen and CS carry the white R-A1a allele, and no QTL effect was detected in the vicinity region of R-A1. Hence it was concluded that the high dormancy associated with chromosome 3A of Zen is ascribable to QPhs.ocs-1 on the short arm but is not due to the direct contribution of either the taVp1 or R-A1 locus.

Background There are no reports on the prevalence of Chagas disease in Japan. Furthermore, screening programs and access to diagnosis and treatment have not been established. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of Chagas disease among suspected cases in Japan and provide the reference data required for disease control. Methods Seventeen patients with suspected Chagas disease in Japan between 2012 and 2017 were included in the study. Patients were diagnosed with Chagas disease based on the two different serological tests for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi . Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay and blood culture techniques were performed to confirm T. cruzi parasitemia. Results Of the 17 patients, 11 (64.7%) were immigrants from Latin America. Ultimately, 6 patients (35.3%) were diagnosed with Chagas disease. Of these 6 patients, median age was 53.5 years, 5 patients were immigrants from Latin American, and 1 was Japanese who had a congenital infection. T. cruzi parasitemia was confirmed in 4 patients (66.7%), and 5 (83.3%) were in the chronic phase (Chagas cardiomyopathy, 4; megacolon, 1). Two patients (33.3%) commenced benznidazole treatment. Conclusion Our study showed that some patients of Chagas disease living in Japan are already in the chronic phase at diagnosis because of substantial diagnostic delays. Further epidemiological studies on the prevalence of Chagas disease and systematic screening programs for the Latin American population are needed.

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Objectiveβ-Lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae is a common opportunistic pathogen of hospital- and community-acquired infections, harboring multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ftsI gene, which codes for penicillin-binding protein-3. The objectives of this study were to perform comprehensive genetic analyses of whole regions of the penicillin-binding proteins in H. influenzae and to identify additional single nucleotide polymorphisms related to antibiotic resistance, especially to ampicillin and other cephalosporins.ResultsIn this genome analysis of the ftsI gene in 27 strains of H. influenzae, 10 of 23 (43.5%) specimens of group III genotype β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae were paradoxically classified as ampicillin-sensitive phenotypes. Unfortunately, we could not identify any novel mutations that were significantly associated with ampicillin minimum inhibitory concentrations in other regions of the penicillin-binding proteins, and we reconfirmed that susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics was mainly defined by previously reported SNPs in the ftsI gene. We should also consider detailed changes in expression that lead to antibiotic resistance in the future because the acquisition of resistance to antimicrobials can be predicted by the expression levels of a small number of genes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3169-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identification of the causative pathogen in infectious diseases is important for surveillance and to guide treatment. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), conventional culture and identification methods, including biochemical methods, are reference-standard. Biochemical methods can lack sensitivity and specificity and have slow turnaround times, causing delays in definitive therapy. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) is a rapid and accurate diagnostic method. Most studies comparing MALDI–TOF MS and biochemical methods are from high-income countries, with few reports from LMIC with tropical climates. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of MALDI–TOF MS compared to conventional methods in the Philippines. Clinical bacterial or fungal isolates were identified by both MALDI–TOF MS and automated (VITEK2) or manual biochemical methods in the San Lazaro Hospital, Metro Manila, the Philippines. The concordance between MALDI­–TOF MS and automated (VITEK2) or manual biochemical methods was analyzed at the species and genus levels. In total, 3530 bacterial or fungal isolates were analyzed. The concordance rate between MALDI–TOF MS and biochemical methods was 96.2% at the species level and 99.9% at the genus level. Twenty-three isolates could not be identified by MALDI–TOF MS. In this setting, MALDI–TOF MS was accurate compared with biochemical methods, at both the genus and the species level. Additionally, MALDI–TOF MS improved the turnaround time for results. These advantages could lead to improved infection management and infection control in low- and middle-income countries, even though the initial cost is high.

Background: The advent of well-tolerated and effective anti-retroviral drugs against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection has been a major step forward that has achieved long-term survival in recent years. The number of HIV-1 infected patients who experience difficulty in swallowing tablets is expected to increase as the HIV-infected population advances in age or develops comorbidities or treatment sequelae affecting the central nervous system. Case presentation: Here, we describe two HIV-1-infected patients who experienced progressive dysphagia leading to inability to swallow the antiretroviral tablets included in the standard regimen. Both patients had a plasma viral load < 40 copies/mL while receiving anti-retroviral therapy with the recommended combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimen, but the dysphagia necessitated a switch. By switching to much smaller sized combined regimen of dolutegravir (DTG) plus rilpivirine (RPV) tablets, both of our patients were able to successfully continue treatment and maintain adherence without the need for crushing tablets or preparing an oral suspension. Additionally, switching from the recommended cART regimen to DTG plus RPV successfully maintained viral suppression. At the last available follow-up (12 months after switching to DTG/RPV), HIV-1 viral load remained below the lower limit of quantification. Conclusions: An alternative therapeutic option that takes tablet size into consideration could not only contribute to improved patient adherence, but also a reduced care burden for HIV-infected patients with dysphagia. Thus, switching to the "small-tablet regimen" of DTG plus RPV has the potential to improve the survival and well-being of patients with dysphagia.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important pathogen among immunocompromised hosts. Typically, CMV in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes diseases of the retina, digestive tract, lungs and liver, but there are few cases of CMV infection of the pharynx and larynx. Case presentation A 57-year-old man with HIV infection was admitted because of pharyngeal pain. Before and after admission, pharyngeal biopsies guided by laryngeal endoscopy were performed four times, but pathological examination showed nonspecific inflammation, and the cause of pharyngeal ulceration was unclear. Additionally, the ulceration deteriorated after initiation of retroviral therapy. Laryngomicrosurgery was conducted under general anesthesia to remove tissue, and pathological diagnosis confirmed CMV infection. Pathological features included enlargement of the cytoplasm and nucleus in infected cells, and intranuclear bodies called owl’s eye inclusions. Ganciclovir dramatically improved the symptoms and laryngoscopic findings. Conclusions This case was diagnosed as pharyngitis and pharyngeal ulceration caused by CMV infection, related to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. In previous reports of CMV-induced pharyngeal or laryngeal ulceration in HIV infection, we found six cases similar to our present case. All cases were diagnosed by biopsy. The present case indicates the importance of biopsy for definitive diagnosis. CMV infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis of pharyngeal ulceration in patients with HIV infection.