Influence of Atg5 Mutation in SLE Depends on Functional IL-10 Genotype

Increasing evidence supports the involvement of autophagy in the etiopathology of autoimmune diseases. Despite the identification of autophagy-related protein (Atg)-5 as one of the susceptibility loci in systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE), the consequences of the carriage of these mutations for patients remain unclear. The present work analyzed the association of Atg5 rs573775 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with SLE susceptibility, IFNα, TNFα and IL-10 serum levels, and clinical features, in 115 patients and 170 healthy individuals. Patients who where carriers of the rs573775 T* minor allele presented lower IFNα levels than those with the wild genotype, whereas the opposite result was detected for IL-10. Thus, since IL-10 production was regulated by rs1800896 polymorphisms, we evaluated the effect of this Atg5 mutation in genetically high and low IL-10 producers. Interestingly, we found that the rs573775 T* allele was a risk factor for SLE in carriers of the high IL-10 producer genotype, but not among genetically low producers. Moreover, IL-10 genotype influences SLE features in patients presenting the Atg5 mutated allele. Specifically, carriage of the rs573775 T* allele led to IL-10 upregulation, reduced IFNα and TNFα production and a low frequency of cytopenia in patients with the high IL-10 producer genotype, whereas patients with the same Atg5 allele that were low IL-10 producers presented reduced amounts of all these cytokines, had a lower prevalence of anti-dsDNA antibodies and the latest onset age. In conclusion, the Atg5 rs573775 T* allele seems to influence SLE susceptibility, cytokine production and disease features depending on other factors such as functional IL-10 genotype

Phonological recovery in Spanish developmental dyslexics through the tip-of-the-tongue paradigm

Recuperación fonológica en disléxicos evolutivos españoles mediante el paradigma de la punta de la lengua. Antecedentes: los disléxicos evolutivos tienen dificultades para acceder y recuperar la forma fonológica de las palabras, sin presentar un déficit a nivel semántico. El propósito de este trabajo era estudiar, a través del paradigma del fenómeno de la punta de la lengua, los problemas de acceso léxico en niños con dislexia evolutiva y su posible relación con la conciencia fonológica. Método: un grupo de niños disléxicos (14) y otro grupo sin dificultades lectoras (14), con edades comprendidas entre 7 y 12 años, realizaron una tarea de denominación de dibujos de frecuencia media - baja y una tarea de conciencia fonológica. Resultados: los resultados indicaron que los niños disléxicos generalmente presentan mayor número de fenómenos de punta de la lengua que el grupo control. A pesar de ser capaces de dar información semántica acerca del dibujo, los disléxicos presentan dificultades para recuperar la información parcial fonológica. Conclusiones: los resultados indican que los disléxicos evolutivos tienen particular dificultad para acceder a la forma fonológica de las palabras. Esto puede ser interesante para desarrollar programas de intervención para estos niños

Regulation of Ace2-dependent genes requires components of the PBF complex in schizosaccharomyces pombe

The division cycle of unicellular yeasts is completed with the activation of a cell separation program that results in the dissolution of the septum assembled during cytokinesis between the 2 daughter cells, allowing them to become independent entities. Expression of the eng1+ and agn1+ genes, encoding the hydrolytic enzymes responsible for septum degradation, is activated at the end of each cell cycle by the transcription factor Ace2. Periodic ace2+ expression is regulated by the transcriptional complex PBF (PCB Binding Factor), composed of the forkhead-like proteins Sep1 and Fkh2 and the MADS box-like protein Mbx1. In this report, we show that Ace2-dependent genes contain several combinations of motifs for Ace2 and PBF binding in their promoters. Thus, Ace2, Fkh2 and Sep1 were found to bind in vivo to the eng1+ promoter. Ace2 binding was coincident with maximum level of eng1+ expression, whereas Fkh2 binding was maximal when mRNA levels were low, supporting the notion that they play opposing roles. In addition, we found that the expression of eng1+ and agn1+ was differentially affected by mutations in PBF components. Interestingly, agn1+ was a major target of Mbx1, since its ectopic expression resulted in the suppression of Mbx1 deletion phenotypes. Our results reveal a complex regulation system through which the transcription factors Ace2, Fkh2, Sep1 and Mbx1 in combination control the expression of the genes involved in separation at the end of the cell division cycle

Anatomical characteristics and visibility of mental foramen and accessory mental foramen: panoramic radiography vs. cone beam CT

Background: The mental foramen (MF) is a small foramen located in the anterolateral region of the mandible through which the mental nerve and vessels emerge. The knowledge on the anatomic characteristics and variations of MF is very important in surgical procedures involving that area. The aim of this study was two-fold: firstly, to analyze the anatomic characteristics of MF and the presence of accessory mental foramen (AMF) using CBCT and, secondly, to compare the capability of CBCT and PAN in terms of MF and AMF visualization, as well as influencing factors. Material and Methods: A sample of 344 CBCT scans was analyzed for presence and characteristics (i.e. diameter, area, shape, exit angle) of MF and AMF. Subsequently, corresponding PANs were analyzed to ascertain whether MF and AMF were visible. Results: Out of the 344 patients, 344 (100%) MFs and 45 (13%) AMFs were observed on CBCT. Regarding gender, MF diameter and area, MF-MIB and MF-MSB distances, and exit angle were all significantly higher in males. Also, statistically significant differences were found in terms of age and dental status. Statistically significant differences in MF long and short diameters and MF area were found with respect to AMF presence ( p =.021, p =.008, p =.021). Only 83.87% of the MFs and 45.83% of the AMFs identified on CBCT were also visible on PANs. MF diameter, shape, exit angle, and age had a significant influence on MF visualization on PAN (B=.43, p =.005; B=-.55, p =.020; B=.20, p =.008; B=.61, p =.005). Conclusions: PAN is not an adequate technique to properly identify MF and AMF. Diameter, shape, exit angle, and age are all factors influencing MF visualization on PAN images. For surgery involving the MF anatomical region, a preoperative radiological study with CBCT is of crucial importance to avoid complications

Ventilation and air-conditioning systems in dental clinics and COVID-19 : how much do we know?

This study evaluated the association between knowledge and management of ventilation and air-conditioning systems (VAC) to avoid the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in health facilities by dentists and demographic variables. A cross-sectional digital me

Selected problems/cases to stimulate collaborative learning regarding the dynamic flexibility of metabolism.

Resumen de la comunicación científicaMetabolic reprogramming has been identified as one of the hallmarks of cancer. Furthermore, it is becoming more and more frequent to establish connection between other diseases and metabolic rewiring. One of us has recently argued that metabolic reprogramming is not driven by disease but instead is the main hallmark of metabolism, based on its dynamic behavior that allows it to continuously adapt to changes in the internal and external conditions [1]. Metabolism is considered by many students a remarkably difficult subject, due to its broad contents and the need of integrate them in a biologically meaningful manner. Collaborative learning strategies could contribute to make it easier for students to study metabolism. Since 2015, we design and use problem-based learning (PBL)-like exercises to help our students to study metabolism and its regulation. In the present communication, the experience with a PBL-like exercise devoted to show that reprogramming is a main hallmark of metabolism will be analyzed and discussed. This collaborative learning approach was monitored through comparisons between scores in pre- and post-tests of knowledge, perception and satisfaction questionnaires, evaluation of students’ final reports and final exam scores. Results show an overall high level of satisfaction and higher final exam scores by enrolled students, as compared to those of students that did not take part in these tasks.This work is supported by an Educative Innovation Project (PIE22-118, funded by University of Málaga). [Grants: PID2022-138181OB-I00, PID2019-105010RB-I00 and RTI2018-098560-BC22 (Spanish Government), UMA18-FEDERJA-220, and PY20_00257 (Andalusian Government and FEDER). Funds from BIO 267 (Andalusian Government)]. M.A.M. requested help form the «II Plan Propio de Investigación, Transference y Divulgación Científica de la UMA», Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Origen y desarrollo de los programas de seguimiento y cuidados para pacientes mentales graves y crónicos en la comunidad.

En el presente trabajo se revisan los distintos modelos de Programas de Seguimiento y Cuidado de enfermos mentales graves y crónicos en la comunidad (Modelo de agencia, «case management» clínico, «case management» intensivo, tratamiento asertivo comunitario, modelo de competencias y modelo rehabilitador) y se analizan sus características diferenciales. Así mismo se describen los programas de estas características que se han desarrollado en el estado español en las últimas décadas y se presentan los resultados preliminares del estudio IPSE («Impacto de los Programas de Seguimiento y Cuidados en personas con trastornos Esquizofrénicos en la Comunidad») en cuanto a: la valoración cualitativa de los programas por parte de los usuarios y familiares, las características que contribuyen al adecuado funcionamiento del programa y a la consecución de los objetivos, y los obstáculos comunes a su adecuada implementación

Origen y desarrollo de los programas de seguimiento y cuidados para pacientes mentales graves y crónicos en la comunidad.

En el presente trabajo se revisan los distintos modelos de Programas de Seguimiento y Cuidado de enfermos mentales graves y crónicos en la comunidad (Modelo de agencia, «case management» clínico, «case management» intensivo, tratamiento asertivo comunitario, modelo de competencias y modelo rehabilitador) y se analizan sus características diferenciales. Así mismo se describen los programas de estas características que se han desarrollado en el estado español en las últimas décadas y se presentan los resultados preliminares del estudio IPSE («Impacto de los Programas de Seguimiento y Cuidados en personas con trastornos Esquizofrénicos en la Comunidad») en cuanto a: la valoración cualitativa de los programas por parte de los usuarios y familiares, las características que contribuyen al adecuado funcionamiento del programa y a la consecución de los objetivos, y los obstáculos comunes a su adecuada implementación