Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heritability of Carotid Artery Atherosclerotic Lesions

Background and Purpose— Ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries yields several quantitative measures that may serve as intermediate phenotypes in genetic studies. This study was undertaken to compare the heritabilities of 3 ultrasound measures: intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque score, and maximal stenosis. Methods— We studied 565 individuals from 154 families ascertained by an affected parent with carotid artery atherosclerosis. IMT, plaque score, and maximal stenosis of the carotid arteries were examined by B-mode ultrasound and analyzed quantitatively. Heritability estimates were obtained by variance component analysis as implemented in the program SOLAR (sequential oligogenic linkage analysis routines). Covariates were age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, amount of nicotine consumed, and plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], triglycerides, facto.
Frequency of 14 genetic variants associated with breast cancer risk and treatment in a Colombian population

Introduction: Genetic variations have been related to risk and treatment efficacy. Many polymorphisms in breast cancer are known to influence susceptibility, breast cancer risk and treatment outcome. Polymorphisms vary among populations; therefore, local studies are necessary. Objective: To establish the frequency of polymorphisms associated to breast cancer risk and treatment pharmacogenomics in a group of Colombian individuals. Methods: Data from microarray profiles including gene polymorphisms associated with breast cancer treatment were retrospectively collected (Pathway Genomics®). The frequency of marker CYP2D6 rs3892097 and a breast cancer panel (CAS8 rs1045485, CHEK21100delC, ESR1 rs2046210, FGFR2 rs1219648, intergenic_2q35rs13387042, intergenic_8q24 rs13281615, MSRP30 rs10941679, TNRC9 rs3803662, AKAP9 rs6964587, LSP1 rs3817198, MAP3K1rs889312, PALBS1592 delT, ESR1 rs3020314) were studied. Results: Microarray data from 68 men and 92 women were analyzed. All polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Genotypic frequencies of CYP2D6 rs3892097 C/T, CAS8 rs1045485 G/C, and those of genes included in a breast cancer panel (CAS8 rs1045485, CHEK21100delC, FGFR2rs1219648, intergenic_2q35rs13387042, intergenic_8q24 rs13281615, MSRP30 rs10941679, TNRC9 rs3803662, LSP1 rs3817198, MAP3K1rs889312, PALBS1592 del T, ESR1rs3020314) did not significantly differ from previously published data. ESR1 rs2046210, with allele frequencies of C=0.04 and T=0.02, and AKAP9 rs6964587, with a frequency of A=0.005, were determined as rare. Conclusions: The population studied was not significantly different in allele distribution from previously reported data at HapMap. Genotypes in Colombian population are similar to other previously studied groups of healthy subjects. Extended use of genotyping pharmacogenetic polymorphisms will prevent toxicity and adverse effects in tamoxifen treatment (for example in CYP2D6 rs3892097). Therefore, therapeutic alternatives should be evaluated based on individual pharmacogenetic studies.
Seguimiento farmacoterapéutico y dispensación activa. Diferencias y similitudes

La publicación del Consenso sobre Atención Farmacéutica ha aclarado los términos Dispensación Activa, Indicación Farmacéutica y Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico, describiéndolos como los servicios fundamentales dentro de la Atención Farmacéutica. Al tratar de llevar a la práctica las líneas generales que aparecen en ese Consenso, se pueden estar cometiendo errores por falta de desarrollo conceptual, frecuentemente en relación al concepto de problemas relacionados con medicamentos (PRM). El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las diferencias existentes entre dos de los tres servicios citados: Seguimiento y Dispensación, basándose en las diferencias existentes entre los conceptos de proceso y resultados del paradigma SPO (structure-process-outcomes).
Protein cage architectures for targeted therapeutic and imaging agent delivery

Protein cage architectures such as viral capsids, heat shock proteins, and ferritins are naturally occurring spherical structures that are potentially useful nanoscale platforms for biomedical applications. This dissertation work demonstrates the utility of protein cages including their use as therapeutic and imaging agent delivery systems. Protein cage architectures have clearly demarcated exterior, interior, and interface surfaces and their structures are known to atomic level resolution. This information is essential for the engineering of functionalized nanoparticles via both chemical and genetic modification. In the process of tailoring protein cage architectures for particular applications, fundamental information about the architectures themselves is gained. The present work describes endeavors toward the use of three different protein cage architectures, the Cowpea chlorotic mottle viral capsid (CCMV), a small heat shock protein (Hsp) architecture originally isolated from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii, and human H-chain ferritin, as cell-specific therapeutic and imaging agent delivery systems. Each protein cage is roughly spherical, but their sizes differ; CCMV is 28 nm in diameter, whereas Hsp and HFn are 12 nm in diameter. The advantages and disadvantages of all three architectures are described. Wild type and genetic variants of the Hsp, HFn, and CCMV cages were reacted for the site specific attachment of organic molecules such as therapeutic agents, imaging agents, and targeting ligands. Inorganic chemical modification of the cages was employed for the formation iron oxide nanoparticles which are potentially useful as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Toward the development of the Hsp platform for therapeutic delivery, the antitumor agent doxorubicin was covalently bound on the interior of the cage and selectively released via a pH dependant trigger. In addition, mammalian cell-specific targeting was imparted to the Hsp and HFn cages by both genetic and chemical strategies. Biodistribution studies of Hsp and CCMV were performed in naïve and pre-immunized mice and Hsp cages localized to human tumor xenografts in mice. Together these results demonstrate the utility of the protein cages as robust nanoscale platforms for the synthesis of both soft (organic) and hard (inorganic) materials.
Sortida del virus de l’hepatitis a dels hepatòcits: implicacions en la selecció d’antivirals

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a hepatotropic member of the Picornaviridae family with very special molecular features. Among these features, an unexpected exit pathway through its envelopment into exosomes has been recently described. The mechanism of HAV sorting into the exosome-containing multi-vesicular bodies involves the interaction with the ALIX protein. In the present work using two HAV strains, which differ in their replication capacity, we show that indeed ALIX plays a role in the formation of HAV quasi-enveloped particles in human hepatocytes. Human hepatocytes (Huh7-AI cell line) show an increased level of expression of ALIX over time, and they respond to virus replication by increasing the levels of ALIX mRNA synthesis. Huh7-AI cells infected with a fast-growing strain of HAV (HM175-HP; HP) showed an increase of ALIX expression compared to cells infected with a slow-growing strain (HM175-L0; L0). Additionally, the HP strain showed to be much less sensitive to ALIX silencing than the L0 strain. Analysis of quantitative confocal microscopy of the capsid protein and ALIX, in Huh7-AI cells, revealed a higher proportion of HP capsids rather than L0 capsids co-localizing with ALIX. These results point out to a more efficient interaction of HP capsids with ALIX, which correlates with a higher release of capsid containing-exosomes in the HP population. The fast-growing phenotype of the HP strain respond to a combination of features including a more efficient IRES, an optimized codon usage and a more efficient system to egress from the cell. Moreover, this work shows how the mechanism of virus egress could be a potential target for new antiviral therapy.
Effects of Combined Aerobic Dance Exercise and Honey Supplementation on Bone Turnover Markers in Young Females

This study investigates the effects of combined aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation on bone turnover markers in young females. Forty young female subjects were divided into four groups, with 10 subjects per group: sedentary without honey supplementation control (C), sedentary with honey supplementation (H), aerobic dance exercise without honey supplementation (Ex), aerobic dance exercise with honey supplementation (HEx) groups. Aerobic dance exercise consisted of 1 hour per session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. H and HEx groups consumed honey drink, in a dosage of 20g of Gelam honey diluted in 300ml of plain water, at 7 days per week for a total of 6 weeks. Subjects in HEx group consumed honey drink 30 min before performing exercise on the exercise days. Concentrations of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as bone formation markers, C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) as bone resorption marker were measured. After 6 weeks of study, HEx group exhibited highest percentage increment in serum ALP (+31.79%), among the groups. There was no statistical difference in 1CTP between pretests and posttests in all the groups. The present study suggests that combination of aerobic dance exercise and honey supplement may elicit more beneficial effects on increasing bone formation marker compared to aerobic dance exercise or honey supplementation alone.
Relationship between electroretinogram records and clinical signs in patients with various stages of primary open-angle glaucoma

E-mail: odjusa@email.ua Introduction. Lately, a much attention has been paid to studying the retina in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The essence of the process has been reported to be an accelerated death of ganglion cells in the retina and retinal axons, comprising the optic nerve, as well as neuroglia, providing optic nerve repair, involved in the pathological process. The purpose of the present paper was to study the relationship between electroretinogram records and clinical signs in patients with various stages of primary open-angle glaucoma. Material and Methods. 358 eyes of 186 patients with POAG and patients with POAG to be confirmed underwent complex clinical and neurophysiological examination at SI “The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy”. Results. It is known that negative a-wave potential displays response in photoreceptor cells of the outer retinal layer and positive b-wave characterizes bioelectrical activity of the second order neurons of the retina (bipolar cells with possible contributions of horizontal and amacrine cells) and Muller glia cells whilst 30 and more Hz stimulation can be responded by cones only. Therefore, according to our data, initial glaucoma patients have lesions in outer and inner retinal layers as early as initial stages of glaucomatous process. The most apparent pathological changes in neurophysiological process are observed in photoreceptor cells of the outer retinal layer, including cone elements of the retina. Conclusion. As pathological process is growing, more correlations are observed; therefore, pathological changes affect corresponding retinal elements and result in a decrease of differential light sensitivity of the retina, central visual acuity defects, an increase of IOP, and a decrease of optic nerve excavation width; and this is the evidence of pathogenetic character of these neurophysiological alterations in the retina.
A Polymorphic Human Y-Chromosomal G To A Transition Found In India

We describe a new G to A transition polymorphism, designated Apt, on the human Y chromosome. The A allele chromosomes and the most closely related G allele chromosomes have been found only in India, where they make up about 1.3% of the population. They are found in several different social groups and show considerable microsatellite, minisatellite and major satellite diversity, suggesting that they do not have a recent origin.
Smart clothing to increase safety of people with dementia

Human population is aging. Therefore, considerable amount of attention has to be given to the problems specific to aging. Dementia is one of such problems. There is a strong relation between dementia and gait disorders. With aging the amount of people falling during standing, walking or climbing stairs dramatically increases. Because of this, the elderly people have a greater need for care and assistance and are more likely to be admitted to a nursing home after a fall, although they would like to stay at their own home and be independent. Although a number of researchers are dealing with this problematics so from the point of the medical diagnostics, as from view of possibility of integrating fall detection device into clothing, there are still unresolved problems on the area of providing safety of people with dementia. This contribution deals with the integration of a fall detection system being supplied by printed batteries into clothing, designed with medical function in mind for safety of elderly people and patients with dementia. The first part presents a fall detection and long-term motion monitoring system and considers its power consumption. Energy consumption will be considered based on an amount of current consumed by particular parts of fall detection and long-term monitoring system. The second part gives an overview of various batteries suitable to supply the fall detection and long-term motion monitoring system integrated into clothing, while the third part presents suggestions for fall detection and long-term motion monitoring system integration into clothing.
A comparative study of phenolic compound antioxidant activity by the polarography method, using microsomal lipid peroxidation in vitro

Abstract For comparative purposes, a quantitative estimation of antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds of different classes was conducted by way of the polarography method, via the ADP-Fe2+ model of the induced ascorbate-dependent lipid peroxidation of rat liver micro-somes within an in-vitro system. As a result, it was recognized that the antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds depend on the nature and chemical structure of several substances. In respect of such activity, leaders in the classes of investigated polyphenolic compounds are: Propyl gallate = Gallotannin (Phenolcarboxylic acids and their derivatives) > Quercetin = Myricetin (Flavonols) > Luteolin (Flavo n) = Mangiferin (Xanthones) > Kaempferol (Flavonols) = Catechin (Flavans). Thus, the assessment of the inhibition ability of the lipid peroxidation of microsomes by phenolic compounds can be used as an accessible test for the preliminary quantitative estimation of their antioxidant properties.
Structural genomics of microbial pathogens: An Indian programme

Structural genomics, simply stated, seeks to determine the structures of all proteins coded by genomes of known sequence, using X-ray crystallography, NMR and bioinformatics. The known principles of protein architecture and the available information on the structural and functional classification of proteins, make this an approachable objective. The early excessive preoccupation with folds has now been substantially overcome. The emphasis is now on the determination of a collection of related proteins coded by a given genome or a set of similar proteins coded by different genomes. Taking advantage of the existing strengths in the country, a national programme on the structural genomics of microbial pathogens is being pursued. A major component of the programme is concerned with proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Comparative structural genomics of viruses forms another important component. Although not part of the concerted effort, structural studies on proteins from parasites are also gathering momentum. India has reasonably well-equipped laboratories for carrying out the programme. A major lacuna in the effort is caused by the absence of an Indian synchrotron X-ray facility. The results obtained so far in the programme have been encouraging. Particular attention is being paid to marry the requirements of quantity and quality. The overall objective of the programme is to advance our detailed understanding of selected microbial pathogens at the molecular level and to promote applications that flow from it where possible, under the overall umbrella provided by the genomics effort in the country.
Évaluation des critères de mauvaise observance de la PPC chez les patients âgés au CHU Sud-Réunion

Le SAHOS est une pathologie frequente dans la population generale et notamment chez les patients âges. La PPC est le traitement preconise en premiere intention et a prouve son efficacite qui depend de son observance. Cependant ce traitement est contraignant rendant l'observance difficile. Peu d'etudes existent chez les sujets âges. Nous avons donc realise une etude epidemiologique descriptive, retrospective, multicentrique au CHU SUD de la Reunion portant sur 112 patients âges de plus de 65 ans presentant un SAHOS modere ou severe necessitant un appareillage par PPC. L'objectif principal etait de determiner les criteres de mauvaise observance de la PPC chez les sujets âges de plus de 65 ans au bout de 3 mois d'utilisation. Les patients ont ete inclus de janvier 2015 a decembre 2016. Les criteres de mauvaise observance retrouves sont la polymedication, la demence, la depression, l'IMC bas, le choix du masque initial, une faible amelioration du score d'EPWORTH (moins de 2 points) et l'absence d'amelioration de la qualite de vie. Ces criteres necessitent donc d'etre depistes et pris en charge afin d'ameliorer efficacement l'observance du traitement.
Effects of Brown Heroin and Tramadol Dependency on Reproductive Axis in Adult Male Albino Rats

Objective: Drugs addiction is considered a general major problem all over the world causing massive detrimental effects for the addict, communities and governments. The study was designed to assess the dependency impact of concurrent brown heroin and Tramadol administration on reproduction in rats. Material and methods: Sixty adult male albino rats were divided into untreated control (I), vehicles groups citric acid (II), saline (III), brown heroin (IV), tramadol (V) and concurrent brown heroin and tramadol (VI) groups. The animals were treated daily for forty days by oral (saline and tramadol) and intra-peritoneal (citric acid and heroin) routes. The body weights, the reproductive hormonal assay (luteinizing hormone LH, follicle stimulating hormone FSH, free Testosterone, Estradiol E2 and prolactin PRL) and the hormones related gene expression (brain FSH-B gene, LH-B gene and testicular cytochrome 19 gene CYP-19) were evaluated. The histopathological changes of the brain and testis were demonstrated. Results: The brown heroin, tramadol and the concurrent brown heroin and tramadol administration reduced the rats' body weight, serum LH, FSH and Testosterone and increased the serum E2 and PRL levels. Moreover, both heroin and tramadol produced down regulation of brain LH-B and FSH-B with up regulation of testicular CYP-19 genes expression and induced histopathological alterations in both of the brain and testicular structures. Conclusion: The concurrent brown heroin and tramadol dependency affect the reproductive axis and impaired fertility in adult male albino rats via altering the circulating reproductive hormones and its related genes expression, moreover, affecting the histology of the brain and testis. Recommendation: Health education for the purpose of increasing public awareness regarding hazards of tramadol and heroin addiction, periodic urine screening for early detection and proper management which could be done for university students, employee in different community services…. etc
Fusion Rates of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2

Study Design: Retrospective observational case series. Objectives: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) has been widely performed with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), but the fusion rates using this graft alternative have not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate fusion rates in 1- and 2-level LLIF with rhBMP-2 and their relationship with fixation, as well as rates of BMP-related complications. Methods: Institutional review board (IRB)–approved spine registry cohort of 93 patients who underwent LLIF with rhBMP-2 (71 one-level cases and 22 two-level cases). Minimum 1-year clinical follow-up and computed tomography (CT) scan for fusion assessment. Postoperative CT scans were used to evaluate the rate of fusion in all patients. Instrumentation and complications were collected from chart and imaging review. Results: Average age was 65 years (67% female). For 1-level cases, 92% (65/71) had complete fusion and 8% (6/71) had either incomplete or indeterminate fusion. Three of the 6 patients who had incomplete or indeterminate fusion had bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation, 1 patient had unilateral posterior fixation, and 2 had no fixation. In 2-level cases, 86% (19/22) had complete fusion and 14% (3/22) had either incomplete or indeterminate fusion. The 3 patients who had incomplete or indeterminate fusion did not have fixation. Conclusion: Interbody fusion rates with rhBMP-2 via LLIF was 92% in 1-level cases and 86% in 2-level cases, indicating that rhBMP-2 may be used as a viable graft alternative to allograft options for LLIF. Higher rates of pseudarthrosis occurred when not using fixation.
Heart rate variability, salivary cortisol and competitive state anxiety responses during pre-competition and pre-training moments

The study aimed to investigate physiological and psychological states prior to competition and prior to training in three different demanding activities. Eighteen canoe athletes, 18 street runners and 18 jiu-jitsu fighters were included in this study (n=54). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), salivary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at two time points (pre-training and pre-competition). Somatic anxiety (F1,42 = 15.29, p = 0.0003), HRV (F1,42 = 23.24, p < 0.0001) and salivary cortisol (F1,42 = 22.96, p < 0.0001) were significantly greater at the pre-competition measurement point than at the pre-training point, but without a main effect of the type of athlete on these variables. A main effect of the type of athlete was found on somatic anxiety (F2,42 = 6.58, p = 0.0033), cognitive anxiety (F2,42 = 10.69, p = 0.0002) and self-confidence (F2,42 = 5.42, p = 0.0080). Correlations between most CSAI-2 and physiological parameters were not significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that both emotional indices and psychophysiological indices of stress are higher before competition than before training, with differences between emotional states between these sports. Although correlations between emotional states and psycho-physiological states before competition and before training were largely non-significant, these findings reinforce the importance of psychological monitoring of athletes in association with traditional physiological markers such as cortisol and HRV in sportive training programmes as complementary resources to improve both competition performance and the training routine.
Her-2/neu Status in Syrian Women with Breast Carcinoma: A Syrian Cohort Study of more than 10000 Cases

Results and Discussion: 2013 patients were found to be Her-2 positive (+++) forming 19.4% of the studied group, 2000 (19.3%) were (++) equivocal. On the other hand, 62% of patients were Her-2 negative (0 and 1+) scores. A further investigation of the positive and equivocal groups was performed by FISH showing positive results as follows: 1815/2013 of the (3+ patients) and 1143/2000 of the (2+ patients) respectively. In other word 57% of the (++) group were found to be FISH positive versus 9% negative FISH results in the (+++) group.