468 research outputs found
Influencer Marketing
Social media started as a group of platforms where the main goal was to socialize, post pictures, videos, and update your current thoughts, feelings, and location. Over time, social media platforms have begun to expand the type of activities they offer. Thus, social media has become a new alternative for marketing activities provided by various companies. One of the latest online marketing techniques is called Influencer Marketing. This article presents the analysis of several specialized articles, as well as the results of research conducted in this field. It further highlights the current state of knowledge about influencer marketing, the role of influencers in social media, as well as possibilities for future research studies
Hiperurisemia dan hipertensi di Puskesmas Wates, Kulon Progo
PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to determine the relationship between hyperuricemia and hypertension occurrence in Wates primary health care.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of 220 patient with the age of 18 years or older who met the criteria in Wates primary health care in 2015.ResultsThe study found that hyperuricemia had influence on hypertension occurrence in Wates primary health care in 2015. While age and dyslipidemia are confounders in between hyperuricemia and hypertension relationship.ConclusionIt should be concerned that hyperuricemia have an influence to hypertension occurrence. Besides, there are many etiological factors associated with hypertension causing the difficulty of predicting the most common causes of hypertension. An cohort study should be done for further study. Besides, early detection of elevated serum uric acid levels as a risk factor for hypertension needs to be done, in order to prevent hypertension. Hyperuricemia and hypertension in Wates primary health care centerPurposeThe purpose of this paper was to determine the relationship between hyperuricemia and hypertension occurrence in Wates primary health care center.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of 220 patients with the age of 18 years or older who met the inclusion criteria in Wates primary health care center in 2015.ResultsThe study found that hyperuricemia was associated with hypertension occurrence in Wates primary health care center in 2015, while age and dyslipidemia were confounders in the hyperuricemia and hypertension relationship. ConclusionIt was found that hyperuricemia had some influence on hypertension occurrence. There are many etiological factors associated with hypertension causing the difficulty of predicting the most common causes of hypertension. A cohort study should be done for further study. Early detection of elevated serum uric acid levels as a risk factor for hypertension needs to be done, in order to prevent hypertension
Polymorphism in the IGF-I gene: clinical relevance for short children born small fos gestational age (SGA)
Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk in adult life of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The fetal insulin hypothesis postulates that genes involving insulin resistance could effect birth weight and disease in later life (Hattersley, 1999). Besides insulin, there is extensive evidence that insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I, IGF-II) play an important role in fetal growth. We hypothesized that minor genetic variation in the IGF-I gene could influence pre- and postnatal growth. Three microsatellite markers located in the IGF-I gene in 124 short children (height &lt; â1.88 SDS) who were born small for gestational age (SGA) and their parents were studied. SGA was defined as both a birth weight and birth length below â1.88 SDS for gestational age. Two polymorphic markers showed transmission disequilibrium. Allele 191 of the IGF1.PCR1 marker was transmitted more frequently from parent to child (Ï2 = 4.8 and p = 0.02) and allele 198 of the 737/738 marker was transmitted less frequently from parent to child (Ï = 4.5 and p = 0.03). Children carrying the 191-allele had significantly lower IGF-1 levels than children not carrying this allele (â1.1 SDS vs.â 0.05 SDS; p = 0.03). Also, head circumference SDS remained smaller in children with allele 191 compared to children without allele 191 (â2.1 SDS vs. â0.9 SDS; p = 0.003). Our results show that genetically determined low IGF-I levels may lead to a reduction in birth weight, length and head circumference and to persistent short stature and small head circumference in later life (proportionate small). Since low IGF-I levels are associated with type 2 diabetes and CVD, we propose that the IGF-I gene may provide a link between low birth weight and such diseases in later life.</jats:p
Nanostructured Bifunctional Hydrogels as Potential Instructing Platform for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are blood forming cells which possess the ability to differentiate into all types of blood cells. T cells are one important cell type HSCs can differentiate into, via corresponding progenitor cells. T cells are part of the adaptive immune system as they mediate cellular immune responses. Due to this crucial function, in vitro differentiated T cells are the subject of current studies in the biomedical field in terms of cell transplantation. Studies show that the density of the immobilized Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (DLL1) presented in HSCs' environment can stimulate their differentiation toward T cells. The development of reliable synthetic cell culture systems presenting variable densities of DLL1 is promising for the future expansion of T cells' clinical applications. Here we introduce bifunctional polyethylene glycol-based (PEG-based) hydrogels as a potential instructing platform for the differentiation of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to T cells. PEG hydrogels bearing the cell adhesion supporting motif RGD (arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid) were synthesized by UV-light induced radical copolymerization of PEG diacrylate and RGD modified PEG acrylate. The hydrogels were furthermore nanostructured by incorporation of gold nanoparticle arrays that were produced by block copolymer micelle nanolithography (BCML). BCML allows for the decoration of surfaces with gold nanoparticles in a hexagonal manner with well-defined interparticle distances. To determine the impact of DLL1 density on the cell differentiation, hydrogels with particle distances of ~40 and 90 nm were synthesized and the gold nanoparticles were functionalized with DLL1. After 27 days in culture, HSPCs showed an unphysiological differentiation status and, therefore, the differentiation was evaluated as atypical T lymphoid differentiation. Cluster of differentiation (CD) 4 was the only tested T cell marker which was expressed clearly in all samples. Thus, although the applied nanopatterned hydrogels affected two important signaling pathways (integrins and Notch) for T cell differentiation, it appears that more functionalities that control T cell differentiation in nature need to be considered for achieving fully synthetic in vitro T cell differentiation strategies
Type 2 diabetes gene TCF7L2 polymorphism is not associated with fetal and postnatal growth in two birth cohort studies.
State-of-the-art report: Intergenerational linkages in families
__Abstract__
We present a state-of-the-art of the literature on linkages between generations within families. We focus specifically on intergenerational coresidence, upward and downward intergenerational transfers in families and the relationship between norms of family obligation and intergenerational transfers. An overview of the academic literature on these topics is provided, as well as suggestions for future research
Rebuilding the hematopoietic stem cell niche: Recent developments and future prospects
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have proven their clinical relevance in stem cell transplantation to cure patients with hematological disorders. Key to their regenerative potential is their natural microenvironment â their niche â in the bone marrow (BM). Developments in the field of biomaterials enable the recreation of such environments with increasing preciseness in the laboratory. Such artificial niches help to gain a fundamental understanding of the biophysical and biochemical processes underlying the interaction of HSCs with the materials in their environment and the disturbance of this interplay during diseases affecting the BM. Artificial niches also have the potential to multiply HSCs in vitro, to enable the targeted differentiation of HSCs into mature blood cells or to serve as drug-testing platforms. In this review, we will introduce the importance of artificial niches followed by the biology and biophysics of the natural archetype. We will outline how 2D biomaterials can be used to dissect the complexity of the natural niche into individual parameters for fundamental research and how 3D systems evolved from them. We will present commonly used biomaterials for HSC research and their applications. Finally, we will highlight two areas in the field of HSC research, which just started to unlock the possibilities provided by novel biomaterials, in vitro blood production and studying the pathophysiology of the niche in vitro. With these contents, the review aims to give a broad overview of the different biomaterials applied for HSC research and to discuss their potentials, challenges and future directions in the field.
Statement of significance
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent cells responsible for maintaining the turnover of all blood cells. They are routinely applied to treat patients with hematological diseases. This high clinical relevance explains the necessity of multiplication or differentiation of HSCs in the laboratory, which is hampered by the missing natural microenvironment â the so called niche. Biomaterials offer the possibility to mimic the niche and thus overcome this hurdle. The review introduces the HSC niche in the bone marrow and discusses the utility of biomaterials in creating artificial niches. It outlines how 2D systems evolved into sophisticated 3D platforms, which opened the gateway to applications such as, expansion of clinically relevant HSCs, in vitro blood production, studying niche pathologies and drug testing
Establishing an algorithm for molecular genetic diagnostics in 127 families with juvenile nephronophthisis
Establishing an algorithm for molecular genetic diagnostics in 127 families with juvenile nephronophthisis.BackgroundJuvenile nephronophthisis (NPH1), an autosomal recessive cystic disease of the kidney, represents the most common genetic cause of end-stage renal disease in the first two decades of life. On the basis of identification of the gene (NPHP1) defective in NPH1 and the presence of homozygous deletions of NPHP1 in the majority of NPH1 patients, molecular genetic diagnosis for NPH1 is now possible. Molecular genetic testing offers the only method for definite diagnosis of NPH1 and avoids invasive diagnostic measures like renal biopsy.MethodsWe examined 127 families (204 patients) with the presumed diagnosis of NPH using molecular genetic diagnostic techniques. In 68 families, renal biopsy was performed and was consistent with NPH, and in 61 families, there was more than one affected child ("multiplex families").ResultsIn 74 families (115 patients), there was proof of the diagnosis of NPH1 by detection of a homozygous deletion of the NPHP1 gene, and in 5 families a heterozygous deletion in combination with a point mutation in NPHP1 was demonstrated. Furthermore, for 16 families, NPH1 was excluded with high likelihood by linkage analysis, and for 20 families by detection of heterozygosity for two newly identified polymorphic markers within the deletion region. In 5 of the remaining 12 families, which were noninformative for these markers, fluorescence in situ hybridization did not detect any further heterozygous deletions.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of NPH1 was proven by molecular genetic techniques in 62% of families with one or more children with the presumed diagnosis of NPH. We present evidence that there is a fourth locus for NPH, since only 6 of the 26 multiplex families in whom the diagnosis of NPH1 was excluded were compatible with linkage to other loci for NPH. On the basis of the presented data, we propose an algorithm for molecular genetic diagnostics in NPH
Associations of NINJ2 sequence variants with incident ischemic stroke in the Cohorts for Heart and Aging in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium
Background<p></p>
Stroke, the leading neurologic cause of death and disability, has a substantial genetic component. We previously conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in four prospective studies from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium and demonstrated that sequence variants near the NINJ2 gene are associated with incident ischemic stroke. Here, we sought to fine-map functional variants in the region and evaluate the contribution of rare variants to ischemic stroke risk.<p></p>
Methods and Results<p></p>
We sequenced 196 kb around NINJ2 on chromosome 12p13 among 3,986 European ancestry participants, including 475 ischemic stroke cases, from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Cardiovascular Health Study, and Framingham Heart Study. Meta-analyses of single-variant tests for 425 common variants (minor allele frequency [MAF] ℠1%) confirmed the original GWAS results and identified an independent intronic variant, rs34166160 (MAF = 0.012), most significantly associated with incident ischemic stroke (HR = 1.80, p = 0.0003). Aggregating 278 putatively-functional variants with MAF†1% using count statistics, we observed a nominally statistically significant association, with the burden of rare NINJ2 variants contributing to decreased ischemic stroke incidence (HR = 0.81; p = 0.026).<p></p>
Conclusion<p></p>
Common and rare variants in the NINJ2 region were nominally associated with incident ischemic stroke among a subset of CHARGE participants. Allelic heterogeneity at this locus, caused by multiple rare, low frequency, and common variants with disparate effects on risk, may explain the difficulties in replicating the original GWAS results. Additional studies that take into account the complex allelic architecture at this locus are needed to confirm these findings
Safety and Short-term Outcomes of High-Dose Erythropoietin in Preterm Infants With Intraventricular Hemorrhage: The EpoRepair Randomized Clinical Trial.
IMPORTANCE
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants without a specific medical treatment to date.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and short-term outcomes of high-dose erythropoietin in preterm infants with IVH.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Between April 1, 2014, and August 3, 2018, a randomized double-blind clinical trial enrolled 121 preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks or birth weight <1500 g) aged 8 or less days with moderate to severe IVH identified by cerebral ultrasonography from 8 Swiss and Austrian tertiary neonatal units. Statistical analyses were performed between October 1, 2019, and September 12, 2022.
INTERVENTIONS
Infants received intravenous high-dose erythropoietin (2000 units/kg body weight) or placebo at 4 time points between weeks 1 and 4 of life.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Secondary outcomes included (1) mortality and morbidity rates and (2) brain magnetic resonance imaging findings at term-equivalent age (TEA). The primary outcome was the composite intelligence quotient at 5 years of age (not available before 2023).
RESULTS
Sixty infants (48% male [nâ=â29]) were randomly assigned to receive erythropoietin, and 61 infants (61% male [nâ=â37]) were randomly assigned to receive placebo. The median birth weight was 832 g (IQR, 687-990 g) in the erythropoietin group and 870 g (IQR, 680-1110 g) in the placebo group. Median gestation was 26.1 weeks (IQR, 24.8-27.3 weeks) in the erythropoietin group and 27.0 weeks (24.9-28.1 weeks) in the placebo group. The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics and morbidities. Up to TEA, 10 newborns died (16.7%) in the erythropoietin group, and 5 newborns (8.2%) died in the placebo group (adjusted odds ratio, 2.24 [95% CI, 0.74-7.66]; Pâ=â.15). Infants receiving erythropoietin had higher mean hematocrit levels. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging at TEA for 100 infants showed no significant differences in global or regional brain injury scores.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This preliminary report of a randomized clinical trial found no evidence that high-dose erythropoietin in preterm infants with IVH affects brain injury scores on conventional magnetic resonance imaging at TEA. Higher mortality in the erythropoietin group was not significant but should be reassessed based on future results from similar trials.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02076373
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