Haplotypes in SLC24A5 Gene as Ancestry Informative Markers in Different Populations

Ancestry informative markers (AIMs) are human polymorphisms that exhibit substantially allele frequency differences among populations. These markers can be useful to provide information about ancestry of samples which may be useful in predicting a perpetrator’s ethnic origin to aid criminal investigations. Variations in human pigmentation are the most obvious phenotypes to distinguish individuals. It has been recently shown that the variation of a G in an A allele of the coding single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1426654 within SLC24A5 gene varies in frequency among several population samples according to skin pigmentation. Because of these observations, the SLC24A5 locus has been evaluated as Ancestry Informative Region (AIR) by typing rs1426654 together with two additional intragenic markers (rs2555364 and rs16960620) in 471 unrelated individuals originating from three different continents (Africa, Asia and Europe). This study further supports the role of human SLC24A5 gene in skin pigmentation suggesting that variations in SLC24A5 haplotypes can correlate with human migration and ancestry. Furthermore, our data do reveal the utility of haplotype and combined unphased genotype analysis of SLC24A5 in predicting ancestry and provide a good example of usefulness of genetic characterization of larger regions, in addition to single polymorphisms, as candidates for population-specific sweeps in the ancestral population

Impacto da implantação de um novo modelo de gestão embasado em indicadores no bloco cirúrgico de um hospital universitário

O centro cirúrgico, por suas particularidades e características, constitui uma das unidades mais complexas do ambiente hospitalar. Assim, percebe-se que o bom desempenho de um centro cirúrgico está diretamente relacionado com a qualidade de seus próprios processos e com os processos dos serviços que o apoiam. Em Julho de 2012, com a portaria 194 – HCRP (5), é estabelecido as Diretrizes Gerais de Funcionamento do Bloco Cirúrgico do HC campus. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar o impacto do novo modelo gerencial do Bloco Cirúrgico do Campus implantado. Trata-se de séria histórica descritiva e retrospectiva com análise de alguns indicadores comparando a nova gestão com a fase prévia. Nota-se melhora progressiva em alguns indicadores analisados, alcançando metas estipuladas pelo pró- prio Planejamento estratégico vigente. O presente estudo pode ilustrar o impacto de um modelo gerencial dentro do Centro Cirúrgico de um Hospital Escola Terciário de grande porte, mostrando os avanços alcançados e os pontos com oportunidades de melhoria.The surgical center, by their features and characteristics, is one of the drives more complex hospital environment. Thus, it is clear that the good performance of a surgical center is directly related to the quality of their own processes and with the processes of the services that support it. In July 2012, with ordinance 194 - HCRP, is established General guidelines for the Operation of Block Círurgico HC campus. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the new management model of Surgical Block the HCRP-campus deployed. It would be historic descriptive and retrospective analysis of some indicators comparing the new management with the prior phase. Note progressive improvement in some indicators analyzed, reaching targets set by the strategic Planning current. The present study may serve to illustrate the impact of a management model within the Surgical Center of a Hospital Tertiary School large, showing the progress made and the points with opportunities for improvement

Protocollo per il campionamento dei parametri chimico-fisici a sostegno degli elementi biologici in ambiente lacustre

Abstract not availableIl protocollo sul campionamento delle acque lacustri integra completandole le metodologie di campionamento ed analisi del fitoplancton, delle macrofite acquatiche e della fauna a macroinvertebrati in ambiente lacustre riportati nei capitoli successivi di questo Manuale. Anche questo protocollo come i precedenti segue le indicazioni della Direttiva 60/2000/CE (Water Framework Directive, WFD) e del Regolamento per la progettazione del programma di monitoraggio emanato dal Ministero dell?Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare

Clinical Importance of Left Atrial Infiltration in Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize left atrial (LA) pathology in explanted hearts with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM); LA mechanics using echocardiographic speckle-tracking in a large cohort of patients with ATTR-CM; and to study the association with mortality. Background: The clinical significance of LA involvement in ATTR-CM is of great clinical interest. Methods: Congo red staining and immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the presence, type, and extent of amyloid and associated changes in 5 explanted ATTR-CM atria. Echo speckle tracking was used to assess LA reservoir, conduit, contractile function, and stiffness in 906 patients with ATTR-CM (551 wild-type (wt)-ATTR-CM; 93 T60A-ATTR-CM; 241 V122I-ATTR-CM; 21 other). Results: There was extensive ATTR amyloid infiltration in the 5 atria, with loss of normal architecture, vessels remodeling, capillary disruption, and subendocardial fibrosis. Echo speckle tracking in 906 patients with ATTR-CM demonstrated increased atrial stiffness (median [25th-75th quartile] 1.83 [1.15-2.92]) that remained independently associated with prognosis after adjusting for known predictors (lnLA stiff: HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03-1.49; P = 0.029). There was substantial impairment of the 3 phasic functional atrial components (reservoir 8.86% [5.94%-12.97%]; conduit 6.5% [4.53%-9.28%]; contraction function 4.0% [2.29%-6.56%]). Atrial contraction was absent in 22.1% of patients whose electrocardiograms showed sinus rhythm (SR) “atrial electromechanical dissociation” (AEMD). AEMD was associated with poorer prognosis compared with patients with SR and effective mechanical contraction (P = 0.0018). AEMD conferred a similar prognosis to patients in atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: The phenotype of ATTR-CM includes significant infiltration of the atrial walls, with progressive loss of atrial function and increased stiffness, which is a strong independent predictor of mortality. AEMD emerged as a distinctive phenotype identifying patients in SR with poor prognosis

Nutrition and IBD: Malnutrition and/or Sarcopenia? A Practical Guide

Malnutrition is a major complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This mini review is focusing on main determinants of malnutrition in IBD, the most important components of malnutrition, including lean mass loss and sarcopenia, as an emerging problem. Each one of these components needs to be well considered in a correct nutritional evaluation of an IBD patient in order to build a correct multidisciplinary approach. The review is then focusing on possible instrumental and clinical armamentarium for the nutritional evaluation

COVID-19 in the tonsillectomised population

Objective: Interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and pharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue are thought to influence the manifestations of COVID-19. We aimed to determine whether a previous history of tonsillectomy, as a surrogate indicator of a dysfunctional pharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue, could predict the presentation and course of COVID-19. Methods: Multicentric cross-sectional observational study involving seven hospitals in Northern and Central Italy. Data on the clinical course and signs and symptoms of the infection were collected from 779 adults who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and analysed in relation to previous tonsillectomy, together with demographic and anamnestic data. Results: Patients with previous tonsillectomy showed a greater risk of fever, temperature higher than 39°C, chills and malaise. No significant differences in hospital admissions were found. Conclusions: A previous history of tonsillectomy, as a surrogate indicator of immunological dysfunction of the pharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue, could predict a more intense systemic manifestation of COVID-19. These results could provide a simple clinical marker to discriminate suspected carriers and to delineate more precise prognostic models

Malnutrition in COVID-19 survivors: prevalence and risk factors

Background: Nutritional status is a critical factor throughout COVID-19 disease course. Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Aim: To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and identify its associated factors in COVID-19 survivors. Methods: Study cohort included 1230 COVID-19 survivors aged 18-86 attending a post-COVID-19 outpatient service. Data on clinical parameters, anthropometry, acute COVID-19 symptoms, lifestyle habits were collected through a comprehensive medical assessment. Malnutrition was assessed according to Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Results: Prevalence of malnutrition was 22% at 4-5 months after acute disease. Participants who were not hospitalized during acute COVID-19 showed a higher frequency of malnutrition compared to those who needed hospitalization (26% versus 19%, p < 0.01). Malnutrition was found in 25% COVID-19 survivors over 65 years of age compared to 21% younger participants (p < 0.01). After multivariable adjustment, the likelihood of being malnourished increased progressively and independently with advancing age (Odds ratio [OR] 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03) and in male participants (OR 5.56; 95% CI 3.53-8.74). Malnutrition was associated with loss of appetite (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.73-3.62), and dysgeusia (OR 4.05; 95% CI 2.30-7.21) during acute COVID-19. Discussion: In the present investigation we showed that malnutrition was highly prevalent in a large cohort of COVID-19 survivors at 4-5 months from acute illness. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to implement comprehensive nutritional assessment and therapy as an integral part of care for COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 atypical Parsonage-Turner syndrome: a case report

Background Neurological manifestations of Sars-CoV-2 infection have been described since March 2020 and include both central and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Neurological symptoms, such as headache or persistent loss of smell and taste, have also been documented in COVID-19 long-haulers. Moreover, long lasting fatigue, mild cognitive impairment and sleep disorders appear to be frequent long term neurological manifestations after hospitalization due to COVID-19. Less is known in relation to peripheral nerve injury related to Sars-CoV-2 infection. Case presentation We report the case of a 47-year-old female presenting with a unilateral chest pain radiating to the left arm lasting for more than two months after recovery from Sars-CoV-2 infection. After referral to our post-acute outpatient service for COVID-19 long haulers, she was diagnosed with a unilateral, atypical, pure sensory brachial plexus neuritis potentially related to COVID-19, which occurred during the acute phase of a mild Sars-CoV-2 infection and persisted for months after resolution of the infection. Conclusions We presented a case of atypical Parsonage-Turner syndrome potentially triggered by Sars-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms and repercussion lasting after viral clearance. A direct involvement of the virus remains uncertain, and the physiopathology is unclear. The treatment of COVID-19 and its long-term consequences represents a relatively new challenge for clinicians and health care providers. A multidisciplinary approach to following-up COVID-19 survivors is strongly advised

Formación de profesionales competentes en ciencias económicas en la universidad nacional de rosario: la perspectiva de los docentes

El presente trabajo aborda la problemática del desarrollo de competencias profesionales desde la perspectiva de los docentes de las carreras de Ciencias Económicas de la UNR. Se propone identificar las competencias a incorporar en su formación para que haya profesionales en Ciencias Económicas competentes para desarrollarse en las organizaciones del futuro inmediato y evaluar el rol de la Universidad en el desarrollo de dichas competenciasThis paper deals with the problem of the development of professional competences from the perspective of the professors of the careers of Economic Sciences of the UNR. It is proposed to identify the competences to incorporate in their training so that there are professionals in Eco-nomic Sciences competent to develop in the organizations of the immediate future and evaluate the role of the University in the development of these competences.Fil: Oviedo, Raúl Ricardo, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Estadística - Universidad Nacional de Rosario - Argentin

Nuovo Indice dello Stato Ecologico delle Comunit\ue0 Ittiche (NISECI)

ISPRA, nell\u2019ambito delle attivit\ue0 di implementazione della direttiva 2000/60/CE, ha partecipato alla definizione dei metodi per la classificazione biologica dei corpi idrici superficiali per ognuno degli organismi individuati dalla direttiva e cio\ue8 \u201cmacroinvertebrati bentonici\u201d, \u201cmacrofite\u201d, \u201cphytobenthos\u201d e \u201cfauna ittica\u201d. In questo Manuale viene presentato il Nuovo Indice dello Stato Ecologico delle Comunit\ue0 Ittiche NISECI come risultato della revisione e dell\u2019aggiornamento dell\u2019Indice gi\ue0 individuato dal DM 260/2010 (Zerunian et al., 2009). Il metodo \ue8 stato intercalibrato al livello europeo e deve considerarsi il metodo ufficiale per l\u2019analisi della componente ittica nella classificazione dello stato ecologico dei corpi idrici fluviali