Validation of Reference Genes for the Relative Quantification of Gene Expression in Human Epicardial Adipose Tissue

BACKGROUND: Relative quantification is a commonly used method for assessing gene expression, however its accuracy and reliability is dependent upon the choice of an optimal endogenous control gene, and such choice cannot be made a priori. There is limited information available on suitable reference genes to be used for studies involving human epicardial adipose tissue. The objective of the current study was to evaluate and identify optimal reference genes for use in the relative quantification of gene expression in human epicardial fat depots of lean, overweight and obese subjects. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Some of the commonly used reference genes including 18S, ACTB, RPL27, HPRT, CYCA, GAPDH, RPLPO, POLR2A and B2M were quantified using real-time PCR analysis. The expression stability of these genes was evaluated using Genorm, Normfinder and Bestkeeper algorithms. In addition, the effect of sample size on the validation process was studied by randomly categorizing subjects in two cohorts of n = 2 and n = 33. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: CYCA, GAPDH and RPL27 were identified as the most stable genes common to all three algorithms and both sample sizes. Their use as reference gene pairs might contribute to the enhanced robustness of relative quantification in the studies involving the human epicardial adipose tissue

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico de la disección aórtica por tomografía multicortes

Introducción: La disección aórtica (DA) es el síndrome aórtico agudo más grave y frecuente. En la actualidad, la tomografía computarizada multicortes es el procedimiento más utilizado para el diagnóstico de las afecciones de la aorta. El propósito de este trabajo es exponer las características más relevantes de 22 pacientes con diagnóstico de DA estudiados consecutivamente por tomografía computarizada multicortes.Método: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de DA estudiados durante los últimos 4 años y se describieron sus principales características demográficas, clínicas y angiográficas. Se utilizaron equipos Somatom Cardiac Sensation de 64 cortes o Doble Fuente Somatom Definition, Siemens Medical System Germany y contraste no iónico Iopromide (Ultravist,Bayer-Schering).Resultados: Veinte pacientes (91%) eran hombres. Edad media: 55 años ± 9, edad mínima 24 años y máxima 74 años. Presentaron DA tipo A 15(68%) pacientes y tipo B 7(32%). Cinco (23%) pacientes tenían historia de DA previa y 20(91%) eran hipertensos. El síntoma predominante fue el dolor torácico en 17(77%) pacientes. En 8(36%) pacientes se detectó compromiso de las arterias coronarias; 20(91%) tenían disección de una o más ramas aórticas. La reentrada de la falsa luz más frecuente fue la aorta abdominal infrarrenal en 5(23%) pacientes. Se observaron pacientes con trombosis de la falsa luz, ruptura de la adventicia, hematoma mediastínico, derrame pleural e invaginación de la íntima.Conclusiones: La tomografía computarizada multicortes permite el diagnóstico de DA y precisa sus características angiográficas con gran rapidez y confiabilidad.Palabras clave: Disección aórtica, aortografía no invasiva, tomografíacomputarizada multicortes

Nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico de la disección aórtica por tomografía multicortes

Introducción: La disección aórtica (DA) es el síndrome aórtico agudo más grave y frecuente. En la actualidad, la tomografía computarizada multicortes es el procedimiento más utilizado para el diagnóstico de las afecciones de la aorta. El propósito de este trabajo es exponer las características más relevantes de 22 pacientes con diagnóstico de DA estudiados consecutivamente por tomografía computarizada multicortes.Método: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de DA estudiados durante los últimos 4 años y se describieron sus principales características demográficas, clínicas y angiográficas. Se utilizaron equipos Somatom Cardiac Sensation de 64 cortes o Doble Fuente Somatom Definition, Siemens Medical System Germany y contraste no iónico Iopromide (Ultravist,Bayer-Schering).Resultados: Veinte pacientes (91%) eran hombres. Edad media: 55 años ± 9, edad mínima 24 años y máxima 74 años. Presentaron DA tipo A 15(68%) pacientes y tipo B 7(32%). Cinco (23%) pacientes tenían historia de DA previa y 20(91%) eran hipertensos. El síntoma predominante fue el dolor torácico en 17(77%) pacientes. En 8(36%) pacientes se detectó compromiso de las arterias coronarias; 20(91%) tenían disección de una o más ramas aórticas. La reentrada de la falsa luz más frecuente fue la aorta abdominal infrarrenal en 5(23%) pacientes. Se observaron pacientes con trombosis de la falsa luz, ruptura de la adventicia, hematoma mediastínico, derrame pleural e invaginación de la íntima.Conclusiones: La tomografía computarizada multicortes permite el diagnóstico de DA y precisa sus características angiográficas con gran rapidez y confiabilidad.Palabras clave: Disección aórtica, aortografía no invasiva, tomografíacomputarizada multicortes

Nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico de la disección aórtica por tomografía multicortes. Our experience in the diagnosis of aortic dissection by multislice computed tomography.

Introduction Aortic dissection (AD) is the most frequent and life-threatening acute aorticsyndrome. Currently the more used method for the aortic study is themultislice computed tomography. The purpose of this paper is to exposethe more relevant features in 22 patients with AD consecutively studiedby multislice computed tomography.Method All patients suspicious of AD studied during the last four years were includedand their main demographic, clinic and angiographic features weredescribed. Studies were performed by Somatom Cardiac Sensation, 64slices or Two Source Somatom Definition, Siemens Medical System, thecontrast medium used was Iopromide (Ultravist, Bayer Schering), Germany.Results Twenty (91%) patients were men. Mean age: 55 ± 9 years; minimum 24years and maximum 74. Type A AD was present in 15(68%) patients andtype B in 7(32%). Five (23%) patients had history of previous AD;20(91%) were hypertensive patients. Thoracic pain was the main symptomin 17(77%) patients. In 8 (36%) the coronary arteries were involved;20(91%) had at least dissection of one aortic branch. The mostfrequent re-entry site of the false lumen was the abdominal aorta belowthe renal arteries in 5 (23%). Patients with thromboses of the false lumen,rupture of the adventitial layer, mediastinal haematoma, hydrothoraxand circumferential intimal intussusception were observed.Conclusions The diagnoses of AD is made quickly and successfully by multislicecomputed tomography and in addition it is very useful for the assessmentof its angiographic features