Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNAs (hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 C/T) from Brazilian women with breast cancer

Background: Emerging evidence has shown that miRNAs are involved in human carcinogenesis as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in pre-miRNAs may affect the processing and therefore, influence the expression of mature miRNAs. Previous studies generated conflicting results when reporting association between the hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 common polymorphism and breast cancer.Methods: This study evaluated the hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 SNP in 388 breast cancer cases and 388 controls in Brazilian women. Polymorphism was determined by real-time PCR; control and experimental groups were compared through statistical analysis using the X-2 or Fisher's exact tests.Results: the analysis of the SNPs frequencies showed a significant difference between the groups (BC and CT) in regards to genotype distribution (chi(2): p = 0.024); the homozygous variant (CC) was more frequent in the CT than in the BC group (p = 0.009). the presence of the hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 C/T polymorphism was not associated with histological grades (p = 0.522), axillary lymph node positive status (p = 0.805), or clinical stage (p = 0.670) among the breast cancer patients.Conclusions: the results of this study indicated that the CC polymorphic genotype is associated with a decreased risk of BC and the presence of the T allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of BC.Univ Fed Ceara, Dept Gynecol & Obstet, BR-62022304 Sobral, Ceara, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Mol Gynecol Lab, Dept Gynecol, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilCtr Univ Fundacao Santo Andre, Dept Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv S Florida, Reprod Biol Res Lab, Div Reprod Endocrinol & Infertil, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Tampa, FL 33612 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Mol Gynecol Lab, Dept Gynecol, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genomospecies and of the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HE) agent in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the area of Monti Lepini, Italy.

Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods that are parasites in every class of vertebrates in most regions of the world. They are also considered to be important vectors for the transmission of human infectious diseases. In the present study we used polymer chain reaction (PCR) amplification analysis to determine the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia phagocytophila, the agents of, respectively, Lyme borreliosis and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, among ticks inhabiting the area of Monti Lepini, a wild area located in the Latium Region of Italy. A total of 141 L ricinus ticks (125 nymphs and 16 adults) were collected in the studied area. Total DNAs were extracted from L ricinus nymphs (pooled in groups of five) and from individual adults. The DNA samples were examined for the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and E. phagocytophila by PCR using two specific pairs of oligonucleotides that specifically amplify distinct DNA regions of the 16S rRNA genes of the two species. The prevalence of vectors infected with B. burgdorferi s. 1. was 16% in pooled nymphs samples, and 12.5% in adult ticks, while E. phagocytophila was found only in pooled nymphs samples (8%). Three genomospecies were identified, namely Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia valaisiana, in samples found positive for B. burgdorferi s. 1. No sample was found positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto

Installing tungsten Fischer carbene complexes intoa calixarene framework

The synthesis of the first examples of calix[4]arene-based Fischer carbene complexes is reported here. Fischer carbene complex 2 is the key intermediate to reach uracil-like derivatives 3 and 4. X-ray and NMR studies revealed that the uracyl-like synthon gives rise to a supramolecular dimer. The organometallic calixarene complexes showed a promising cytotoxicity towards human tumor cell line

2019 Dataset of Participatory Budgeting in Italy

The dataset provides data on Italian Municipalities’ policies pertaining to participatory budgeting (PB). The dataset comprises information on municipalities with a population of over 2,000 inhabitants, and is composed as follows: Municipality ISTAT Code (ID), Municipality Name (MN) Province, Region, Population (2011 Census), Researcher (IR), Mapping randomized process (MR), Mapping Method (MM), twenty dummy variables identifying Municipalities running PB in a given year (y1994, y2002 to y2020), Number of years with PB (TOT). Overall, the dataset comprises 4517 units (with 467 missing), for a total of 4050 mapped municipalities

Asthma in patients admitted to emergency department for COVID-19: prevalence and risk of hospitalization

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