The ␤-lactam resistance gene mecA of Staphylococcus aureus is carried by a novel mobile genetic element, designated staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), identified in the chromosome of a Japanese methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain. We now report identification of two additional types of mecAcarrying genetic elements found in the MRSA strains isolated in other countries of the world. There were substantial differences in the size and nucleotide sequences between the elements and the SCCmec. However, new elements shared the chromosomal integration site with the SCCmec. Structural analysis of the new elements revealed that they possessed all of the salient features of the SCCmec: conserved terminal inverted repeats and direct repeats at the integration junction points, conserved genetic organization around the mecA gene, and the presence of cassette chromosome recombinase (ccr) genes responsible for the movements of SCCmec. The elements, therefore, were considered to comprise the SCCmec family of staphylococcal mobile genetic elements together with the previously identified SCCmec. Among 38 epidemic MRSA strains isolated in 20 countries, 34 were shown to possess one of the three typical SCCmec elements on the chromosome. Our findings indicated that there are at least three distinct MRSA clones in the world with different types of SCCmec in their chromosome.

Pepper yellow leaf curl disease caused by begomoviruses seriously affects pepper (Capsicum spp.) production in a number of regions around the world. Ty genes of tomato, which confer resistance to the tomato yellow leaf curl virus, are the only begomovirus resistance genes cloned to date. In this study, we focused on the identi cation of begomovirus resistance genes in Capsicum annuum. BaPep-5 was identi ed as a novel source of resistance against pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus (PepYLCIV) and pepper yellow leaf curl Aceh virus (PepYLCAV). A single recessive locus, which we named as pepper yellow leaf curl disease virus resistance 1 (pepy-1), responsible for PepYLCAV resistance in BaPep-5 was identi ed on chromosome 5 in an F 2 population derived from a cross between BaPep-5 and the begomovirus susceptible accession BaPep-4. In the target region spanning 34 kb, a single candidate gene, the messenger RNA surveillance factor Pelota, was identi ed. Whole-genome resequencing of BaPep-4 and BaPep-5 and comparison of their genomic DNA sequences revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (A to G) located at the splice site of the 9th intron of CaPelota in BaPep-5, which caused the insertion of the 9th intron into the transcript, resulting in the addition of 28 amino acids to CaPelota protein without causing a frameshift. Virus-induced gene silencing of CaPelota in the begomovirus susceptible pepper No.218 resulted in the gain of resistance against PepYLCIV, a phenotype consistent with BaPep-5. The DNA marker developed in this study will greatly facilitate marker-assisted breeding of begomovirus resistance in peppers.

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The anatomical safety of intramuscular injections at the deltoid and ventrogluteal sites has been investigated; however, the anatomical relationship between intramuscular injection sites in the thigh and major blood vessels and nerves remains unclear. We aimed to compare intramuscular injection sites in the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis with those at the deltoid and ventrogluteal sites and identify safe intramuscular injection sites in the thigh. Twenty-seven young adult volunteers were recruited, and the thicknesses of subcutaneous tissue and muscle as well as the number of blood vessels present were evaluated at two sites on the deltoid, ventrogluteal, and thigh using ultrasound equipment. The right thighs of 24 cadavers were used, and the thickness of muscle, number of blood vessels or nerves present, and the distance between each examined site and major blood vessels or nerves were evaluated in the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. A major blood vessel was observed in the middle of the rectus femoris in young adults. In cadavers, the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and muscle branch of the femoral nerves to the vastus lateralis were observed at the middle point, distal two-thirds point, and middle point between the middle and distal two-thirds points of the rectus femoris, but not at the middle of the vastus lateralis. The middle of the vastus lateralis is an appropriate site for intramuscular injections because of the low risk of vascular or nerve damage. The present results support good practices for site selection for intramuscular injections.

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