Re-evaluation of single nucleotide variants and identification of structural variants in a cohort of 45 sudden unexplained death cases

Sudden unexplained death (SUD) takes up a considerable part in overall sudden death cases, especially in adolescents and young adults. During the past decade, many channelopathy- and cardiomyopathy-associated single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been identified in SUD studies by means of postmortem molecular autopsy, yet the number of cases that remain inconclusive is still high. Recent studies had suggested that structural variants (SVs) might play an important role in SUD, but there is no consensus on the impact of SVs on inherited cardiac diseases. In this study, we searched for potentially pathogenic SVs in 244 genes associated with cardiac diseases. Whole-exome sequencing and appropriate data analysis were performed in 45 SUD cases. Re-analysis of the exome data according to the current ACMG guidelines identified 14 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 10 (22.2%) out of the 45 SUD cases, whereof 2 (4.4%) individuals had variants with likely functional effects in the channelopathy-associated genes SCN5A and TRDN and 1 (2.2%) individual in the cardiomyopathy-associated gene DTNA. In addition, 18 structural variants (SVs) were identified in 15 out of the 45 individuals. Two SVs with likely functional impairment were found in the coding regions of PDSS2 and TRPM4 in 2 SUD cases (4.4%). Both were identified as heterozygous deletions, which were confirmed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. In conclusion, our findings support that SVs could contribute to the pathology of the sudden death event in some of the cases and therefore should be investigated on a routine basis in suspected SUD cases

Diseño y estandarización de datos para el manejo de información pesquera del litoral caribe colombiano

La información pesquera del Litoral Caribe Colombiano no ha sido tomada de manera ordenada y completa, cada entidad relacionada con estudios en esta categoría trabaja independiente, no existiendo estandarización en algunas de las variables contenidas en las estructuras de cada sistema de información presentándose la falta de relación entre estas variables, por tal motivo nace la idea de diseñar unas estructuras para información pesquera del Litoral Caribe Colombiano, de manera que pueda ser utilizada por las distintas entidades, generando pautas para un ordenamiento de datos pesqueros. Durante el desarrollo de este trabajo se sometieron a estudios varios sistemas de información pesquera como son: Sistema de Información Pesquera de Invernar (SIPEIN) desarrollado en el Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Sistema de Información Pesquera Consolidada (SINPES) desarrollado en el convenio CORPES-UNIMAG, Procesamiento de Captura y Esfuerzo Pesquero (PICEP) sistema que actualmente maneja el Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuacultura (INPA), entre otros, tomando xvi como base para la elaboración de las estructuras presentes en este proyecto el SINPES, por considerar que es el sistema que presenta "información más completa" con relación a los anteriores mencionados. La realización de este proyecto permite sentar las bases para crear un mecanismo adecuado de recolección de información pesquera en el área de captura, potencialidad y medios de producción, áreas que competen a este estudio

A Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain That Improves Stimulation of Antigen-Presenting Cells Does Not Enhance Vaccine Efficacy

Vaccination is a proven strategy to mitigate morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases. The methodology of identifying and testing new vaccine candidates could be improved with rational design and in vitro testing prior to animal experimentation. The tularemia vaccine, Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS), does not elicit complete protection against lethal challenge with a virulent type A Francisella strain. One factor that may contribute to this poor performance is limited stimulation of antigen-presenting cells. In this study, we examined whether the interaction of genetically modified LVS strains with human antigen-presenting cells correlated with effectiveness as tularemia vaccine candidates. Human dendritic cells infected with wild-type LVS secrete low levels of proinflammatory cytokines, fail to upregulate costimulatory molecules, and activate human T cells poorly in vitro. One LVS mutant, strain 13B47, stimulated higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines from dendritic cells and macrophages and increased costimulatory molecule expression on dendritic cells compared to wild type. Additionally, 13B47-infected dendritic cells activated T cells more efficiently than LVS-infected cells. A deletion allele of the same gene in LVS displayed similar in vitro characteristics, but vaccination with this strain did not improve survival after challenge with a virulent Francisella strain. In vivo, this mutant was attenuated for growth and did not stimulate T cell responses in the lung comparable to wild type. Therefore, stimulation of antigen-presenting cells in vitro was improved by genetic modification of LVS, but did not correlate with efficacy against challenge in vivo within this model system

A INFLUÊNCIA DO TÍTULO DE MESTRE NOS EGRESSOS DO MESTRADO EM CIÊNCIAS CONTÁBEIS DA FECAP: ANÁLISE À LUZ DA TEORIA DO CAPITAL HUMANO

A Teoria do Capital Humano (TCH) estabelece que, ao adquirir mais conhecimentos e habilidades, um indivíduo aumentaria o valor de seu capital humano, e em consequência, de sua empregabilidade, produtividade e rendimento potencial. Diante desse pressuposto, buscou-se analisar a influência do título de mestre nos egressos do mestrado em Ciências Contábeis da FECAP sob a ótica da TCH. Foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva, quantitativa, com aplicação de um questionário para 180 egressos mestres. Os resultados apontaram que os mestres são majoritariamente homens, com idade média de 47 anos, casados, com filhos, residentes na cidade de São Paulo e com formação em Ciências Contábeis, tendo como principais atividades remuneradas o mercado e a academia, a maioria atuando no setor privado e com remuneração acima de R$ 9.000,00, os resultados apontam melhora na faixa salarial após a conclusão do curso. Os principais fatores percebidos como mais influenciados pelo título foram: espírito acadêmico, diferenciação profissional, competências analíticas, empregabilidade, oportunidades na carreira, respeitabilidade e reconhecimento acadêmico/profissional. Para os egressos, o título influenciou positivamente, considerando os fatores preconizados pela TCH

Introductory programming: a systematic literature review

As computing becomes a mainstream discipline embedded in the school curriculum and acts as an enabler for an increasing range of academic disciplines in higher education, the literature on introductory programming is growing. Although there have been several reviews that focus on specific aspects of introductory programming, there has been no broad overview of the literature exploring recent trends across the breadth of introductory programming. This paper is the report of an ITiCSE working group that conducted a systematic review in order to gain an overview of the introductory programming literature. Partitioning the literature into papers addressing the student, teaching, the curriculum, and assessment, we explore trends, highlight advances in knowledge over the past 15 years, and indicate possible directions for future research

Response of high-risk MDS to azacitidine and lenalidomide is impacted by baseline and acquired mutations in a cluster of three inositide-specific genes

Specific myeloid-related and inositide-specific gene mutations can be linked to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) pathogenesis and therapy. Here, 44 higher-risk MDS patients were treated with azacitidine and lenalidomide and mutations analyses were performed at baseline and during the therapy. Results were then correlated to clinical outcome, overall survival (OS), leukemia-free-survival (LFS) and response to therapy. Collectively, 34/44 patients were considered evaluable for response, with an overall response rate of 76.25% (26/34 cases): 17 patients showed a durable response, 9 patients early lost response and 8 patients never responded. The most frequently mutated genes were ASXL1, TET2, RUNX1, and SRSF2. All patients early losing response, as well as cases never responding, acquired the same 3 point mutations during therapy, affecting respectively PIK3CD (D133E), AKT3 (D280G), and PLCG2 (Q548R) genes, that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed that this mutated cluster was significantly associated with a shorter OS, LFS, and duration of response. All in all, a common mutated cluster affecting 3 inositide-specific genes is significantly associated with loss of response to azacitidine and lenalidomide therapy in higher risk MDS. Further studies are warranted to confirm these data and to further analyze the functional role of this 3-gene cluster

Does using a femoral nerve block for total knee replacement decrease postoperative delirium?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The effect of peripheral nerve blocks on postoperative delirium in older patients has not been studied. Peripheral nerve blocks may reduce the incidence of postoperative opioid use and its side effects such as delirium via opioid-sparing effect.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients who underwent total knee replacement. Baseline cognitive function was assessed using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Postoperative delirium was measured using the Confusion Assessment Method postoperatively. Incidence of postoperative delirium was compared in two postoperative management groups: femoral nerve block ± patient-controlled analgesia and patient-controlled analgesia only. In addition, pain levels (using numeric rating scales) and opioid use were compared in two groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>85 patients were studied. The overall incidence of postoperative delirium either on postoperative day one or day two was 48.1%. Incidence of postoperative delirium in the femoral nerve block group was lower than patient controlled analgesia only group (25% vs. 61%, <it>P </it>= 0.002). However, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to postoperative pain level or the amount of intravenous opioid use.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Femoral nerve block reduces the incidence of postoperative delirium. These results suggest that a larger randomized control trial is necessary to confirm these preliminary findings.</p

Por Granada: Revista de Estudiantes, Vol. 2, Spring 2012

The magazine Por Granada publishes the students’ final project of the course Spain in Context taught by Prof. Lamas at Fordham in Granada. Rather than the academic research paper, the preferred format is the well-informed article of investigative journalism. Topics are chosen in consultation with Prof. Lamas and Begoña Calatrava, and must involve a demanding first-hand fieldwork in Granada. A number of interviews with locals are required to have the project approved. Students are requested to find their own sources and to create an adequate network of contacts to fully understand the chosen subject matter. All articles are the result of a thoughtful teamwork of their authors and have been originally written in Spanish.https://fordham.bepress.com/modlang_studentpubs/1003/thumbnail.jp

Prognostic impact of bone marrow fibrosis in primary myelodysplastic syndromes

La mielofibrosis (MF) se observa en el 10-20% de los pacientes con síndrome mielodisplásico (SMD). Su presencia es reconocida como un hallazgo histológico adverso asociado a curso agresivo, fallo medular temprano, sobrevida acortada y evolución leucémica.El objetivo fue examinar la influencia de la MF (MF ≥1) en la sobrevida global (SG) y su asociacióncon variables clínicas e histopatológicas.Se identificaron 468 pacientes con SMD incluidos en el Registro Argentino de SMD de 2007 a 2017.La mediana de SG del subgrupo MF ≥1 fue de 20,1 meses (IC 95%: 10,1-30,0) versus 67,6 meses (IC95% 45,1-90,3) del subgrupo MF-0 (p2 (HR 2,07, 95% IC 1,44-2,96; p5% (HR 2,94,IC 95% 2,06-4,20; p3 (HR 2,17; IC 95%: 1,48-3,19;p1000 ug/L (OR 3,41; p= 0,006) y la localización eritroide atípica (OR 2,65; p=0,004) se asociaron significativamente con la presencia de MF ≥1.Los resultados destacan la presencia de MF ≥1 como un factor pronóstico adverso para la supervivencia en SMD, asociado con hiperferritinemia y alteración de la localización de la progenie eritroide en la MO.Myelofibrosis (MF) is observed in 10-20% of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The presence of MF has been recognized as an adverse histological finding associated with an aggressive course including early bone marrow (BM) failure, shortened survival and leukemic evolution. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the myelofibrosis (MF ≥1) in the overall survival (OS) and its association with clinical and histopathologic variables. We identified 468 MDS patients who were included in the Argentinian Registry of MDS from 2007 to 2017. The median OS for the MF≥1 subgroup was 20.1 months (95% CI 10.1-30.0) versus 67.6 months (95% CI 45.1-90.3) for the MF-0 subgroup (p2 (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.44-2.96; p5% (HR 2.94, 95% CI 2.06-4.20; p3 (HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.48- 3.19; p 1000 ug/L (OR 3.41; p=0.006) and the atypical erythroid localization (OR 2.65; p=0.004) were significantly associated with the presence of MF ≥1. Our results highlight the presence of any grade of myelofibrosis as an independent adverse prognostic factor for survival in MDS, associated with higher ferritin level and abnormal erythroid localization in the BM.Fil: Russo, Maria Florencia. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien); ArgentinaFil: Belli, Carolina Bárbara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Enrico, Alicia. Hospital Italiano de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Arbelbide, Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Narbaitz, Marina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: de Dios Soler, Marcela. Hospital Municipal de Oncologia Maria Curie ; Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires;Fil: Garcia Rivello, Hernan Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Carlos. Hospital Italiano de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Iastrebner, Marcelo. Sanatorio Sagrado Corazón; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Jacqueline. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos Carlos Durand; ArgentinaFil: Rosenhain, Mariana. Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Enrique Tornú; ArgentinaFil: Alfonso, Graciela. Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Kornblihtt, Laura Inés. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Perusini, Agustina. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Lazzarino, Carolina. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien); Argentin