3,165 research outputs found
Effects of periodic application of cattle slurry on soil microbial biomass in an Andisol grassland (Biological Interactions in Arable Land-Grassland-Forest Continuums and their Impact on the Ecosystem Functions, 7th International Symposium on Integrated Field Science)
798. The Role of Whole-Genome Sequencing in Characterizing the Mechanism of Action of Anti-Tuberculosis Compounds: Demonstrated With Para-Amino Salicylic Acid and Its Analogue
Impact of CD14 Polymorphisms on Anti-Apolipoprotein A-1 IgG-Related Coronary Artery Disease Prediction in the General Population.
We aimed to determine whether autoantibodies against apoA-1 (apolipoprotein A-1; anti-apoA-1 IgG) predict incident coronary artery disease (CAD), defined as adjudicated incident myocardial infarction, angina, percutaneous coronary revascularization, or bypass grafting, in the general population. We further investigated whether this association is modulated by a functional CD14 receptor single nucleotide polymorphism.
In a prospectively studied, population-based cohort of 5220 subjects (mean age 52.6±10.7 years, 47.4% males), followed over a median period of 5.6 years, subjects positive versus negative for anti-apoA-1 IgG presented a total CAD rate of 3.9% versus 2.8% (P=0.077) and a nonfatal CAD rate of 3.6% versus 2.3% (P=0.018), respectively. After multivariate adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors, the hazard ratios of anti-apoA-1 IgG for total and nonfatal CAD were: hazard ratio=1.36 (95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.97; P=0.105) and hazard ratio=1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.26; P=0.034), respectively. In subjects with available genetic data for the C260T rs2569190 single nucleotide polymorphism in the CD14 receptor gene (n=4247), we observed a significant interaction between anti-apoA-1 IgG and rs2569190 allele status with regards to CAD risk, with anti-apoA-1 IgG conferring the highest risk for total and nonfatal CAD in non-TT carriers, whereas being associated with the lowest risk for total and nonfatal CAD in TT homozygotes (P for interaction =0.011 and P for interaction =0.033, respectively).
Anti-apoA-1 IgG are independent predictors of nonfatal incident CAD in the general population. The strength of this association is dependent on a functional polymorphism of the CD14 receptor gene, a finding suggesting a gene-autoantibody interaction for the development of CAD
Association between anti-apolipoprotein A-1 antibodies and cardiovascular disease in the general population. Results from the CoLaus study.
We aimed to determine the association between autoantibodies against apolipoprotein A-1 (anti-apoA-1 IgG) and prevalent cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) as well as markers of CV risk in the general population. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 6649 subjects (age 52.6 ± 10.7 years, 47.4â% male) of the population-based CoLaus study. CVD was defined as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, percutaneous revascularisation or bypass grafting for ischaemic heart disease stroke or transient ischaemic attack, and was assessed according to standardised medical records. Anti-apoA-1 IgG and biological markers were measured by ELISA and conventional automated techniques, respectively. Prevalence of high anti-apoA-1 IgG levels in the general population was 19.9â%. Presence of anti-apoA-1 IgG was significantly associated with CVD [odds ratio 1.34, 95â% confidence interval (1.05-1.70), p=0.018], independently of established CV risk factors (CVRFs) including age, sex, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The n=455 (6.8â%) study participants with a history of CVD (secondary prevention subgroup) presented higher median anti-ApoA-1 IgG values compared with subjects without CVD (p=0.029). Among patients in the secondary prevention subgroup, those with positive anti-apoA-1 IgG levels had lower HDL (p=0.002) and magnesium (p=0.001) levels, but increased uric acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (p=0.022, and p<0.001, respectively) compared to patients with negative anti-apoA-1 IgG levels. In conclusion, anti-apoA-1 IgG levels are independently associated with CVD in the general population and also related to CV biomarkers in secondary prevention. These findings indicate that anti-apoA-1 IgG may represent a novel CVRF and need further study in prospective cohorts
Identification of âCandidatus Phytoplasmaâ species in âhuanglongbingâ infected citrus orchards in the Caribbean
âHuanglongbingâ (HLB) is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus orchards worldwide. Samples from 183 citrus plants of different cultivars and rootstock/cultivar combinations, showing HLB symptoms in three Caribbean countries (Cuba, Jamaica, and Guadeloupe-France), were collected to verify the possible co-infection of âCandidatus Phytoplasmaâ and âCandidatus Liberibacterâ species. The 64% of the samples resulted positive to the âCa. L. asiaticusâ and the 27% to diverse âCa. Phytoplasmaâ-related species, moreover about the 14% of the samples infected with âCa. Liberibacterâ were also found positive to phytoplasmas, indicating the presence of mixed infection especially in the orchards located in Cuba. Moreover, in one of the samples from Jamaica mixed phytoplasma infection was detected. Moreover the detection of only phytoplasmas in 11 symptomatic citrus samples collected from Cuba and Guadeloupe without âCa. Liberibacterâ detection, confirmed that the symptomatology cannot be the sole criterium to discriminate between the presence of the two pathogens, and molecular detection is necessary to identify single or mixed infections. Diaphorina citri insects collected from Cuba and Guadeloupe resulted infected with âCa. L. asiaticusâ confirming its active role in the dissemination of the pathogen. Only one insect of the Cicadidae family, collected in Guadeloupe, was found positive for phytoplasma presence. Considering that the phytoplasmas belonging to some âCandidatus speciesâ were detected in the three countries in different citrus varieties, a relevant role as phytoplasma reservoir can be attribute to citrus orchards
Divergence, demography and gene loss along the human lineage
Genomic DNA sequences are an irreplaceable source for reconstructing the vanished past of living organisms. Based on updated sequence data, this paper summarizes our studies on species divergence time, ancient population size and functional loss of genes in the primate lineage leading to modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens). The inter- and intraspecific comparisons of DNA sequences suggest that the human lineage experienced a rather severe bottleneck in the Middle Pleistocene, throughout which period the subdivided African population played a predominant role in shaping the genetic architecture of modern humans. Also, published and newly identified human-specific pseudogenes (HSPs) are enumerated in order to infer their significance for human evolution. Of the 121 candidate genes obtained, authentic HSPs turn out to comprise only 25 olfactory receptor genes, four T cell receptor genes and nine other genes. The fixation of HSPs has been too rare over the past 6â7 Myr to account for species differences between humans and chimpanzees
Superconductivity on the localization threshold and magnetic-field-tuned superconductor-insulator transition in TiN films
Temperature- and magnetic-field dependent measurements of the resistance of
ultrathin superconducting TiN films are presented. The analysis of the
temperature dependence of the zero field resistance indicates an underlying
insulating behavior, when the contribution of Aslamasov-Larkin fluctuations is
taken into account. This demonstrates the possibility of coexistence of the
superconducting and insulating phases and of a direct transition from the one
to the other. The scaling behavior of magnetic field data is in accordance with
a superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) driven by quantum phase
fluctuations in two-dimensional superconductor. The temperature dependence of
the isomagnetic resistance data on the high-field side of the SIT has been
analyzed and the presence of an insulating phase was confirmed. A transition
from the insulating to a metallic phase is found at high magnetic fields, where
the zero-temperature asymptotic value of the resistance being equal to h/e^2.Comment: 5 pages, 4 eps figures, RevTeX4, Published versio
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with renal cell carcinoma in Algerian population
Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system. The etiology of RCC is
a complex interaction between environmental and multigenetic factors. Genome-wide association studies have iden?
tifed new susceptibility risk loci for RCC. We examined associations of genetic variants of genes that are involved in
metabolism, DNA repair and oncogenes with renal cancer risk. A total of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
in 11 genes (VEGF, VHL, ATM, FAF1, LRRIQ4, RHOBTB2, OBFC1, DPF3, ALDH9A1 and EPAS1) were examined.
Methods: The current case?control study included 87 RCC patients and 114 controls matched for age, gender and
ethnic origin. The 14 tag-SNPs were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY? iPLEX using blood genomic DNA.
Results: Genotype CG and allele G of ATM rs1800057 were signifcantly associated with RCC susceptibility (p=0.043;
OR=8.47; CI=1.00?71.76). Meanwhile, we found that genotype AA of rs67311347 polymorphism could increase the
risk of RCC (p=0.03; OR=2.95; IC=1.10?7.89). While, genotype TT and T allele of ALDH9A1 rs3845536 were observed
to approach signifcance for a protective role against RCC (p=0.007; OR=0.26; CI=0.09?0.70).
Conclusion: Our results indicate that ATM rs1800057 may have an efect on the risk of RCC, and suggest that
ALDH9A1 was a protective factor against RCC in Algerian populatio
Small Fermi energy and phonon anharmonicity in MgB_2 and related compounds
The remarkable anharmonicity of the E_{2g} phonon in MgB_2 has been suggested
in literature to play a primary role in its superconducting pairing. We
investigate, by means of LDA calculations, the microscopic origin of such an
anharmonicity in MgB_2, AlB_2, and in hole-doped graphite. We find that the
anharmonic character of the E_{2g} phonon is essentially driven by the small
Fermi energy of the sigma holes. We present a simple analytic model which
allows us to understand in microscopic terms the role of the small Fermi energy
and of the electronic structure. The relation between anharmonicity and
nonadiabaticity is pointed out and discussed in relation to various materials.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures replaced with final version, accepted on Physical
Review
Consolidation of pathology services in England: have savings been achieved?
Background: During the last decade, pathology services in England have undergone profound changes with an extensive consolidation of laboratories. This has been driven by some national reviews forecasting a national reduction of costs by ÂŁ250âÂŁ500 million (630 million) a year as a result.
The main aim of this paper is to describe the financial impact of such consolidation, with a specific focus on the forecasted savings. A secondary aim is to describe the development of private sector involvement in laboratory services in a traditionally publicly funded healthcare system and the development of pathology staff size.
Methods: In the English scenario, the majority of hospitals and laboratories are publicly funded and a survey was sent as Freedom of Information request to all directors of pathology. A descriptive comparison of savings among consolidated and non-consolidated pathology services was made by using the pathology budgets in two different periods (2015 versus 2010), adjusted by inflation and increased activity.
Results: The hub-and-spoke model has been implemented as part of the consolidation process of pathology services in England. Consolidated pathology networks have achieved higher savings compared to non-consolidated single laboratories. There has been an increased role of private providers and savings were achieved with negligible personnel redundancies.
Conclusions: Consolidated units have on average achieved larger cost savings than non-consolidated units but further analysis with stronger research design is required to independently evaluate the impact of pathology consolidation on both savings and quality
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