Abstract P5-09-08: Molecular evaluation of Peruvian patients with hereditary breast cancer reveals a novel germline mutation in BRCA1

Background

Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women worldwide, while in Peru is the second most frequent cancer with a high incidence of triple negative breast cancers (21%). There is no previous information about BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in Peruvian high-risk breast cancer patients. Prior studies from International diagnostic laboratories only presented results of our population as a pooled Hispanic data. Our aim was to characterize mutations in BRCA1/BRCA2 genes in Peruvian patients with breast cancer with hereditary patterns.

Methods

We evaluated mutations in BRCA1/BRCA2 genes by Sanger sequencing and large genomic rearrangements by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in 18 families with hereditary breast cancer criteria identified at the Breast Unit of Oncosalud-AUNA (Lima-Peru). Molecular analysis was done in the facilities of Genetics and Molecular Biology Center at the San Martin de Porres University (Lima-Peru).

Results

Sequencing identified 4 pathogenic mutations in 4/18 families, three previously detected (BRCA1: c.302-1G>C y c.815_824dup10; BRCA2: c.5946delT) and a novel germline mutation in exon 15 of BRCA1 (c.4647_4648dupAA, ClinVar SCV000256598.1) producing a frameshift variant. MLPA revealed 2 amplifications in exon 7 (duplication and triplication) in BRCA1 in unrelated patients with potential pathogenic effects, one of this co-existed with the BRCA2: c.5946delT mutation. In addition, three variants of uncertain significance were found (c.140G>T, in exon 5 of BRCA1 and c.464G>A and c.938C>T in exon 5 and 10 of BRCA2, respectively).

Conclusions

After a comprehensive evaluation we found an alteration rate of 27.8% (5/18) in BRCA1/BRCA2 in families with criteria for hereditary breast cancer. We reported BRCA1 c.4647_4648dupAA as a novel mutation. Further studies including a larger sample size of Peruvian patients should evaluate the prevalence or founder effect of this mutation in our population.

Citation Format: Ponce J, Vigil C, Araujo JM, Castañeda C, Calderon G, Buleje JL, Acosta O, Danos P, Huaman F, Guevara-Fujita ML, Aguilar A, Pinto JA, Gomez HL, Fujita R. Molecular evaluation of Peruvian patients with hereditary breast cancer reveals a novel germline mutation in BRCA1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-09-08.

Embracing thresholds for better environmental management

Three decades of study have revealed dozens of examples in which natural systems have crossed biophysical thresholds (‘tipping points’)—nonlinear changes in ecosystem structure and function—as a result of human-induced stressors, dramatically altering ecosystem function and services. Environmental management that avoids such thresholds could prevent severe social, economic and environmental impacts. Here, we review management measures implemented in ecological systems that have thresholds. Using Ostrom's social–ecological systems framework, we analysed key biophysical and institutional factors associated with 51 social–ecological systems and associated management regimes, and related these to management success defined by ecological outcomes. We categorized cases as instances of prospective or retrospective management, based upon whether management aimed to avoid a threshold or to restore systems that have crossed a threshold. We find that smaller systems are more amenable to threshold-based management, that routine monitoring is associated with successful avoidance of thresholds and recovery after thresholds have been crossed, and that success is associated with the explicit threshold-based management. These findings are powerful evidence for the policy relevance of information on ecological thresholds across a wide range of ecosystems.

A New Grip Strength Measuring Device for Detailed Evaluation of Muscle Contraction among the Elderly

BACKGROUND

We developed a new grip strength measuring device, which considers the time axis, for evaluating muscle contraction in detail in elderly people.

OBJECTIVES

To present the novel device and preliminary results concerning agility in gripping.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and twenty-one older persons (48 men and 73 women, mean age 74.4 years) referring for memory disorders to the outpatient clinic of our institute.

MEASUREMENTS

A novel device taking advantage of an industrial force-gauge was developed for measuring gripping performance. The instrument graphically described participants' strength production. Nine indices were derived from four points identified by the graph: 1) starting point ("Go signal"), 2) time when gripping starts, 3) turning point (TP) when the inclination of the curve depicting strength production changes, and 4) peak of strength production. Results obtained from the study sample of older persons were compared (as ratios) to a control group of 30 healthy young adults in their thirties in order to calculate age-related decline rates. Differences between right and left side were compared.

RESULTS

A significant difference was observed between right and left hands concerning the time to reach peak of strength, and time from TP to strength peak in both men and women. For women, the following indices were also significantly different: time to reach TP, strength at TP, time from TP to strength peak, curve inclination from TP to strength peak, and ratio of TP strength divided by peak strength.

CONCLUSION

Declines in several indices of gripping agility were measured. The parameters which were more closely related to time than strength itself showed significant differences between right and left hands, especially in women.

A transactional and collaborative approach to reducing effects of bottom trawling

Private-sector financial and legal transactions have long been used to protect terrestrial habitats and working landscapes, but less commonly to address critical threats in marine environments. Transferrable and marketable fishing privileges, including permits and quotas, make it possible to use private-sector transactions as conservation strategies to address some fishery management issues. Abating the effects of bottom trawling on the seafloor and bycatch and discard associated with the practice has proven challenging. On the Central Coast of California, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Environmental Defense Fund, local fishers and local, state, and federal authorities worked collaboratively to protect large areas of the seafloor from bottom trawling for groundfish while addressing economic impacts of trawl closures. Contingent on the adoption of trawl-closure areas by a federal regulatory agency, TNC used private funds to purchase federal groundfish trawl permits and vessels from willing sellers. Trawl-closure areas were designed collaboratively by combining regional biological diversity and fisheries data with local fishers' knowledge. The private transactional strategy was designed to remedy some deficiencies in previous federal buyouts, to mitigate economic impacts from trawl closures, and to carefully align with a public regulatory process to protect "essential fish habitat" under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This collaborative effort protected 1.5 million ha (3.8 million acres) of seafloor, reduced trawl effort in the area by 50%, and set a precedent for collaborative partnerships between conservation and fishing interests. This is the first time a large conservation organization has taken an ownership position in a fishery and demonstrates how nongovernmental organizations can invest in fisheries to improve environmental and economic performance.

Prothymosin-alpha plays a defensive role in retinal ischemia through necrosis and apoptosis inhibition

Prothymosin-alpha (ProTalpha) causes a switch in cell death mode from necrosis to neurotrophin-reversible apoptosis in primary cultured cortical neurons. In the present study, post-ischemic administration (3 or 24 h, intravenously) of recombinant mouse ProTalpha without neurotrophins completely prevented ischemia-induced retinal damage accompanying necrosis and apoptosis, as well as dysfunction assessed by electroretinogram. Treatments with anti-erythropoietin (EPO) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoglobulin G (IgG) reversed ProTalpha-induced inhibition of apoptosis. ProTalpha upregulated retinal EPO and BDNF levels in the presence of ischemia. Moreover, intravitreous administration of anti-ProTalpha IgG or an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for ProTalpha accelerated ischemia-induced retinal damage. We also observed that ischemia treatment caused a depletion of ProTalpha from retinal cells. Altogether, these results suggest that the systemic administration of ProTalpha switches ischemia-induced necrosis to apoptosis, which in turn is inhibited by neurotrophic factors upregulated by ProTalpha and ischemia. ProTalpha released upon ischemic stress was found to have a defensive role in retinal ischemia.