Polymorphisms in XPC, XPD, XRCC1, and XRCC3 DNA repair genes and lung cancer risk in a population of Northern Spain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes have been associated to repair DNA lesions, and might contribute to the individual susceptibility to develop different types of cancer. Nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER), and double-strand break repair (DSBR) are the main DNA repair pathways. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in two NER genes, <it>XPC </it>(poly (AT) insertion/deletion: PAT-/+) and <it>XPD </it>(Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln), the BER gene <it>XRCC1 </it>(Arg399Gln), and the DSBR gene <it>XRCC3 </it>(Thr241Met) and the risk of developing lung cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A hospital-based case-control study was designed with 516 lung cancer patients and 533 control subjects, matched on ethnicity, age, and gender. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP and the results were analysed using multivariate unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender and pack-years.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Borderline association was found for <it>XPC </it>and <it>XPD </it>NER genes polymorphisms, while no association was observed for polymorphisms in BER and DSBR genes. <it>XPC PAT+/+ </it>genotype was associated with no statistically significant increased risk among ever smokers (OR = 1.40; 95%CI = 0.94–2.08), squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 1.44; 95%CI = 0.85–2.44), and adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.72; 95%CI = 0.97–3.04). <it>XPD </it>variant genotypes (<it>312Asn/Asn </it>and <it>751Gln/Gln</it>) presented a not statistically significant risk of developing lung cancer (OR = 1.52; 95%CI = 0.91–2.51; OR = 1.38; 95%CI = 0.85–2.25, respectively), especially among ever smokers (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 0.96–2.60), heavy smokers (OR = 2.07; 95%CI = 0.74–5.75), and adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.88; 95%CI = 0.97–3.63). On the other hand, individuals homozygous for the XRCC1 <it>399Gln </it>allele presented no risk of developing lung cancer (OR = 0.87; 95%CI = 0.57–1.31) except for individuals carriers of <it>399Gln/Gln </it>genotype and without family history of cancer (OR = 0.57; 95%CI = 0.33–0.98) and no association was found between <it>XRCC3 </it>Thr241Met polymorphism and lung cancer risk (OR = 0.92; 95%CI = 0.56–1.50), except for the <it>241Met/Met </it>genotype and squamous cell carcinoma risk (OR = 0.47; 95%CI = 0.23–1.00).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, we analysed the association between <it>XPC</it>, <it>XPD</it>, <it>XRCC1</it>, and <it>XRCC3 </it>polymorphisms and the individual susceptibility to develop lung cancer in the Spanish population, specifically with a highly tobacco exposed population. We attempt to contribute to the discovery of which biomarkers of DNA repair capacity are useful for screening this high-risk population for primary preventing and early detection of lung cancer.</p

Mapping of the atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen during the dry season 2016 in the Metropolitan zone of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract. Atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen was measured in the Metropolitan Area of Merida, Yucatan in Mexico during the dry season of 2016. Passive samplers type "throughfall" based on ion exchange resins were used to measure the hydrological flows in a total of 9 sampling sites distributed throughout the city. The ions retained in the resin were analyzed by turbidimetry and colorimetry to determine Ammonium, Nitrate and Sulfate. Deposition fluxes of S and N obtained were 6.25 and 5.19 Kg ha-1 yr-1. Both, sulfur and nitrogen atmospheric deposition fluxes were higher in urban sites, exceeding almost 2 times, the reference values proposed internationally for sensitive ecosystems. From the analysis of wind roses and air masses trajectories, it was possible to establish that during this climatic season, in addition to the local vehicular emissions, regional emissions generated upwind (from E-SE) contributed to atmospheric deposition of these ions. Finally, N and S deposition fluxes and their relationship with criteria pollutants were assessed, and maps for atmospheric deposition fluxes of Ammonium, Sulfate and Nitrate were generated using geo-statistical tools in order to identify critical deposition zones in this Metropolitan zone

Analysis of variants in the HCN4 gene and in three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the CYP3A4 gene for association with ivabradine reduction in heart rate: A preliminary report

Background: Ivabradine, a selective bradycardic drug, inhibits the If. In patients with heart failure (HF), ivabradine reduces the risk of rehospitalization and mortality. The average heart rate (HR) reduction is 8–10 beats, although clinical trials reveal interindividual variability. The aim of the study is to identify variants associated with HR reduction produced by ivabradine in genes involved in the drug metabolism (CYP3A4) or related to the drug target (HCN4). Methods: In an exploratory cohort (n = 11), patients started on ivabradine were genotyped and the HR reduction was studied. Results: The mean HR reduction after the treatment was 18.10 ± 12.26 bpm. The HR reduction was ≥ 15 bpm in 3 patients and &gt; 5 and &lt; 15 bpm in 7 patients. Four synonymous variants, L12L, L520L, P852P, and P1200P, were detected in the HCN4 gene (frequency = 0.045, 0.045, and 0.681, respectively). Moreover, the CYP3A4*1F and CYP3A4*1B were found in one patient each and CYP3A4*1G was presented in 3 patients. Conclusions: This is the first study using an exploratory pharmacogenetic approach that attempts to explain interindividual variability in ivabradine HR reduction. However, more research must be undertaken in order to determine the role of variants in HCN4 and CYP3A4 genes in response to ivabradine

Stereo Vision Tracking of Multiple Objects in Complex Indoor Environments

This paper presents a novel system capable of solving the problem of tracking multiple targets in a crowded, complex and dynamic indoor environment, like those typical of mobile robot applications. The proposed solution is based on a stereo vision set in the acquisition step and a probabilistic algorithm in the obstacles position estimation process. The system obtains 3D position and speed information related to each object in the robot’s environment; then it achieves a classification between building elements (ceiling, walls, columns and so on) and the rest of items in robot surroundings. All objects in robot surroundings, both dynamic and static, are considered to be obstacles but the structure of the environment itself. A combination of a Bayesian algorithm and a deterministic clustering process is used in order to obtain a multimodal representation of speed and position of detected obstacles. Performance of the final system has been tested against state of the art proposals; test results validate the authors’ proposal. The designed algorithms and procedures provide a solution to those applications where similar multimodal data structures are found

Recent progress with hot carrier solar cells

Hot carrier solar cells offer one of the most promising options for high performance “third generation” photovoltaic devices. For successful operation, these need to be thin, strongly absorbing, radioactively efficient devices in a simple 2-terminal configuration. Nonetheless, they offer potential performance close to the maximum possible for solar conversion, equivalent to a multi-cell stack of six or more tandem cells possibly without some of the limitations, such as spectral sensitivity. However, hot carrier cells offer some quite fundamental challenges in implementation that our team is addressing in an internationally collaborative effort

Resultados del estudio geológico a escala 1/25.000 del término municipal de Madrid.

Se exponen de forma abreviada los rasgos en cuanto a metodología y conclusiones del estudio geológico a escala 1/25000 realizado en el Municipio de Madrid en los años 1982/83. Las diferentes unidades expresadas en la cartografiase describen en función de las pautas mayores observables en los materiales que forman cada una de ellas, analizándose sus relaciones estratigráficas. El Proyecto «Estudio Geológico a escala 1/25000 del Término Municipal de Madrid ha sido llevado a cabo a lo largo de los años 1982-83 como resultado de la colaboración científica entre diversos organismos de la Administración (Facultad de CC. Geológicas-Universidad Complutense, Instituto Geológico y Minero. Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Instituto de Geología de Madrid-CSIC, y otros). Constituye una de las áreas de actuación definidas dentro del Convenio de Colaboración Técnica y Cultural para el conocimiento de las Características del Suelo y Subsuelo de Madrid», propiciado y patrocinado por el Excmo. Ayuntamiento. La financiación del proyecto especifico de Geología ha sido realizada íntegramente por el IGME, organismo encargado además de su supervisión. El desarrollo del Proyecto tiene un marcado carácter interdisciplinar, fruto del trasvase de información entre los distintos grupos que abarca el Convenio general (aparte de los ya referidos, el SGOP, COPLACO, Laboratorio «José Luis Escario» siendo precisamente uno de los objetivos del trabajo el servir de apoyo a las restantes áreas de investigación. Los estudios geológicos realizados se plasman en un total de siete mapas a escala 1/25000 elaborados según la normativa Magna de cartografía geológica mapas que toman como referencia, aunque en algunos casos no las completan y en otros adosan porciones de hojas adyacentes, las hojas 1/25000 de Madrid, Alcorcón, El Pardo, San Femando de Henares, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Alcobendas y Castillo de Viñuelas

Los procesos corpoemocionales en los estudios de género y sexualidades

En esta obra se piensa al cuerpo en su vínculo con las emociones y con su correlato social, en tanto que profundiza en la utilización de estas como un lenguaje político y no solo como un asunto exclusivo de la esfera de la intimidad. En esta obra colectiva, dirigida a investigadores, especialistas y profesionales relacionados con la sexualidad, las autoras aportan lecturas que develan la importancia de abordar la vida emocional en los estudios de género, sociológicos y de la cultura. Profundizan en temas como la historia de la salud mental, el amor materno como construcción social, la violencia sexual en los espacios públicos o los derechos de la comunidad LGBTTTI.ITESO, A.C

Programa de Atención al Ictus en Aragón (PAIA). Estrategia del cambio y resultados en el periodo 2009-2014

Introducción En 2008, Aragón tenía tasas de morbimortalidad y discapacidad por ictus superiores a las del conjunto de España. Se estableció la necesidad de desarrollar un Programa de Atención al Ictus (PAIA). Material y métodos Damos a conocer la dinámica de planificación, implantación, evaluación y mejora que se ha desarrollado entre los años 2009-2014 y sus resultados a 5 años. Resultados Se ha mejorado en la estructura, en los procesos y en los resultados, con mejoría en los indicadores clave de la asistencia (audit 2008-2010-2012) y otros: tasa ictus 2013: 2, 07 (2008: 2, 36); 78% ictus atendidos en áreas/unidades en 2014 (30%, 2008); tasa fibrinólisis 8, 3% en 2014 (4, 4%, 2010); fibrinólisis hospitales secundarios (30% total); fibrinólisis con teleictus 9%; descenso de la mortalidad por ictus, 38%; años de vida prematura perdidos 67, 7 (2013)/144 (2008); capacitación de enfermería, desarrollo de la neurosonología, trabajo en red, con protocolos y buenas prácticas compartidos entre sectores sanitarios, etc. Conclusiones La gestión por procesos y equipos multidisciplinares desplegados en una distribución territorial integral, con protocolos y referencias establecidas y una dinámica de evaluación y mejora continua, ha demostrado ser una herramienta potente para garantizar la calidad y la equidad. El PAIA, por su dinámica de mejora sostenida y la implicación de los clínicos, es un buen ejemplo de gestión clínica y trabajo en red. Introduction: In 2008, stroke mortality, morbidity, and disability rates in Aragon were higher than the average in Spain. These data underscored the need to develop a stroke care programme (PAIA). Material and methods: We present the dynamics of planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement developed between 2009 and 2014 as well as the results of the PAIA after that 5-year period. Results: Structure, processes, and outcomes have improved with reference to the key indicators of healthcare (audit: 2008, 2010, 2012) among others: stroke rate in 2013 was 2.07 (2.36 in 2008); 78% of strokes were managed in stroke units in 2014 (30% in 2008); rate of fibrinolysis was 8.3% in 2014 (4.4% in 2010); fibrinolysis was administered in secondary hospitals (30% of the total); fibrinolysis was administered by Telestroke in 9%; stroke mortality decreased (38%); 67.7 years of potential life lost (YPLL) in 2013 (144 in 2008); nurse training; development of neurosonology; networking; sharing protocols and best practices between health sectors, etc. Conclusions: Integrated process management and multidisciplinary teams distributed and deployed over an entire territory with established protocols, references, evaluations, and continuous development, have been proven powerful tools to ensure both quality and equality. The PAIA is a good example of clinical governance and networking due to its dynamic and sustained improvement and cooperation between clinicians

Trends in the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections; towards a paradigm shift, Spain, 2007 to 2019

Altres ajuts: Departament de Salut. Generalitat de Catalunya ("Pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut (PERIS) 2019-2021"); Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital; Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa (REIPI).Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are frequent healthcare-associated infections and an important cause of death. Aim: To analyse changes in CRBSI epidemiology observed by the Infection Control Catalan Programme (VINCat). Methods: A cohort study including all hospital-acquired CRBSI episodes diagnosed at 55 hospitals (2007-2019) in Catalonia, Spain, was prospectively conducted. CRBSI incidence rates were adjusted per 1,000patientdays. To assess the CRBSI rate trend per year, negative binomial models were used, with the number of events as the dependent variable, and the year as the main independent variable. From each model, the annual rate of CRBSI diagnosed per 1,000patientdays and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Results: During the study, 9,290 CRBSI episodes were diagnosed (mean annual incidence rate:0.20episodes/1,000patientdays). Patients' median age was 64.1years; 36.6% (3,403/9,290) were female. In total, 73.7% (n=6,845) of CRBSI occurred in non-intensive care unit (ICU) wards, 62.7% (n=5,822) were related to central venous catheter (CVC), 24.1% (n=2,236) to peripheral venous catheters (PVC) and 13.3% (n=1,232) to peripherally-inserted central venous catheters (PICVC). Incidence rate fell over the study period (IRR:0.94;95%CI:0.93-0.96), especially in the ICU (IRR:0.88;95%CI:0.87-0.89). As a whole, while episodes of CVC CRBSI fell significantly (IRR:0.88;95%CI:0.87-0.91), peripherally-inserted catheter CRBSI (PVC and PICVC) rose, especially in medical wards (IRR PICVC:1.08;95%CI:1.05-1.11; IRR PVC: 1.03; 95% 1.00-1.05). Conclusions: Over the study, CRBSIs associated with CVC and diagnosed in ICUs decreased while episodes in conventional wards involving peripherally-inserted catheters increased. Hospitals should implement preventive measures in conventional wards