Suggestive evidence for association between L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CACNA1C) gene haplotypes and bipolar disorder in Latinos: a family-based association study

Objectives: Through recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs), several groups have reported significant association between variants in the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L-type, alpha 1C subunit (CACNA1C) and bipolar disorder (BP) in European and European-American cohorts. We performed a family-based association study to determine whether CACNA1C is associated with BP in the Latino population. Methods: This study included 913 individuals from 215 Latino pedigrees recruited from the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The Illumina GoldenGate Genotyping Assay was used to genotype 58 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that spanned a 602.9-kb region encompassing the CACNA1C gene including two SNPs (rs7297582 and rs1006737) previously shown to associate with BP. Individual SNP and haplotype association analyses were performed using Family-Based Association Test (version 2.0.3) and Haploview (version 4.2) software. Results: An eight-locus haplotype block that included these two markers showed significant association with BP (global marker permuted p = 0.0018) in the Latino population. For individual SNPs, this sample had insufficient power (10%) to detect associations with SNPs with minor effect (odds ratio = 1.15). Conclusions: Although we were not able to replicate findings of association between individual CACNA1C SNPs rs7297582 and rs1006737 and BP, we were able to replicate the GWAS signal reported for CACNA1C through a haplotype analysis that encompassed these previously reported significant SNPs. These results provide additional evidence that CACNA1C is associated with BP and provides the first evidence that variations in this gene might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder in the Latino population

Suggestive evidence for association between L-type voltagegated calcium channel (CACNA1C) gene haplotypes and bipolar disorder in Latinos: a family-based association stud

Objectives: Through recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs), several groups have reported significant association between variants in the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L-type, alpha 1C subunit (CACNA1C) and bipolar disorder (BP) in European and European-American cohorts. We performed a family-based association study to determine whether CACNA1C is associated with BP in the Latino population. Methods: This study included 913 individuals from 215 Latino pedigrees recruited from the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The Illumina GoldenGate Genotyping Assay was used to genotype 58 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that spanned a 602.9-kb region encompassing the CACNA1C gene including two SNPs (rs7297582 and rs1006737) previously shown to associate with BP. Individual SNP and haplotype association analyses were performed using Family-Based Association Test (version 2.0.3) and Haploview (version 4.2) software. Results: An eight-locus haplotype block that included these two markers showed significant association with BP (global marker permuted p = 0.0018) in the Latino population. For individual SNPs, this sample had insufficient power (10%) to detect associations with SNPs with minor effect (odds ratio = 1.15). Conclusions: Although we were not able to replicate findings of association between individual CACNA1C SNPs rs7297582 and rs1006737 and BP, we were able to replicate the GWAS signal reported for CACNA1C through a haplotype analysis that encompassed these previously reported significant SNPs. These results provide additional evidence that CACNA1C is associated with BP and provides the first evidence that variations in this gene might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder in the Latino population

Anestesia en tumores supratentoriales.

Supratentorial brain tumors (STBs) are the most common primary central nervous system tumors. Anesthesia for SBTs requires an understanding of the cerebral physiology and should focus on maintaining cerebral perfusión pressure, avoding secondary insults to the brain, providing an optimal operative scenario through the control of the intracranial pressure, facilitating the electrophysiological monitoring and favoring a rapid and smooth emergence that allows an early neurological evaluation if no complications are present. The correct management of these goals will impact the neurosurgical outcome and patient’s prognosis after de SBT resection. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated summary of the evidence and give the anesthesiologist the knowledge to perform a supratentorial craniotomy. To make this review, a non-systematic search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane Databases for the last twenty years, with an update of April 2022 and using the following keywords “anesthesia” “supratentorial brain tumor” “supratentorial craniotomy” and “brain bulk”.Los tumores supratentoriales (TS) son los tumores primarios más frecuentes del sistema nervioso central. Su manejo anestésico exige un profundo conocimiento de la fisiología cerebral y debe ir enfocado a mantener una adecuada perfusión cerebral, evitar agresiones cerebrales secundarias, favorecer unas condiciones quirúrgicas óptimas a través del control de la presión intracraneal, lograr una adecuada neuromonitorización y facilitar un despertar rápido y suave que permita, en ausencia de complicaciones, una evaluación neurológica precoz. El manejo adecuado de estos pilares tendrá un impacto directo en el resultado neuroquirúrgico y en el pronóstico del paciente tras la resección. El objetivo de esta revisión es proporcionar un resumen actualizado de la evidencia y conocimientos que debe poseer un anestesiólogo en el manejo de la craneotomía de TS. Para llevar a cabo este documento, se ha realizado una búsqueda no sistemática de la literatura en las bases de datos PubMed y Cochrane en los últimos veinte años, con fecha de actualización abril 2022, utilizando las palabras clave “anesthesia” “supratentorial brain tumor” “supratentorial craniotomy” “brain bulk”

Assessment of transrectal ultrasonography for detection of ovarian follicles in hair sheep

This study evaluated the accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography (US) for the determination of ovarian follicles in hair sheep. Number and size of follicles in 24 ovaries (n= 12 ewes) were determined using an ultrasound machine (Aloka SSD 500), fitted with a 7.5 MHz transrectal probe. The ovaries were collected just after US, for measurement of the number and size of follicles (postmortem findings; PM). There were no differences in the number of small (2 to 2.9 mm), medium (3 to 3.9 mm), large (≥ 4 mm) and total follicles/ovary as detected by US and PM (1.3 ± 0.3 vs 1.6 ± 0.3; 0.5 ± 0.2 vs 0.8 ± 0.2; 0.5 ± 0.2 vs 0.5 ± 0.2; and 2.3 ± 0.3 vs 2.9 ± 0.4; respectively). The sensitivity and predictive value of US for detection of follicles in each category were 71.1, and 87%; 68.4, and 100%; 91.7, and 100%; 73.9, and 92.7%, respectively; the correlation coefficiennts (r) for number of small, medium, large and total follicles being 0.75, 0.83, 0.96 and 0,75 (P<0.001), respectively. It was concluded that US is an efficient tool for detection and measurement of ovarian follicles in studies of the reproductive physiology in hair ewes

Suggestive evidence for association between L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CACNA1C) gene haplotypes and bipolar disorder in latinos: a family-based association study

artículo -- Universidad de Costa Rica. Centro Investigación en Biología Molecular y Celular, 2013Objectives: Through recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs), several groups have reported significant association between variants in the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L-type, alpha 1C subunit (CACNA1C) and bipolar disorder (BP) in European and European- American cohorts. We performed a family-based association study to determine whether CACNA1C is associated with BP in the Latino population. Methods: This study included 913 individuals from 215 Latino pedigrees recruited from the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The Illumina GoldenGate Genotyping Assay was used to genotype 58 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that spanned a 602.9-kb region encompassing the CACNA1C gene including two SNPs (rs7297582 and rs1006737) previously shown to associate with BP. Individual SNP and haplotype association analyses were performed using Family-Based Association Test (version 2.0.3) and Haploview (version 4.2) software. Results: An eight-locus haplotype block that included these two markers showed significant association with BP (global marker permuted p = 0.0018) in the Latino population. For individual SNPs, this sample had insufficient power (10%) to detect associations with SNPs with minor effect (odds ratio = 1.15). Conclusions: Although we were not able to replicate findings of association between individual CACNA1C SNPs rs7297582 and rs1006737 and BP, we were able to replicate the GWAS signal reported for CACNA1C through a haplotype analysis that encompassed these previously reported significant SNPs. These results provide additional evidence that CACNA1C is associated with BP and provides the first evidence that variations in this gene might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder in the Latino population.This study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Mental Health (RO1-MH0698567) and by the Center of Excellence in Neurosciences at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM

Effects of Microwave Heating on Sensory Characteristics of Kiwifruit Puree

The effect of microwave processing on the characteristics of kiwifruit puree was evaluated by applying various gentle treatments. Different combinations of microwave power/processing time were applied, with power among 200-1,000 W and time among 60-340 s, and various sensory and instrumental measurements were performed with the aim of establishing correlations and determining which instrumental parameters were the most appropriate to control the quality of kiwi puree. The water and soluble solids of the product, 83 and 14/100 g sample, respectively, did not change due to treatments. For sensory assessment, an expert panel was previously trained to describe the product. Fourteen descriptors were defined, but only the descriptors 'typical kiwifruit colour', 'tone', 'lightness', 'visual consistency' and 'typical taste' were significant to distinguish between kiwifruit puree samples. The instrumental analysis of samples consisted in measuring consistency, viscosity, colour and physicochemical characteristics of the treated and fresh puree. Applying intense treatments (600 W-340 s, 900 W-300 s and 1,000 W-200 s) through high power or long treatment periods or a combination of these factors, mainly affects the consistency (flow distance decreased from 5. 9 to 3. 4 mm/g sample), viscosity (increased from 1. 6 to 2. 5 Pa/s), colour (maximun ¿E was 6 U) and taste of the product. As a result, samples were thicker and with an atypical flavour and kiwifruit colour due to increased clarity (L* increased from 38 to 43) and slight changes in the yellow-green hue (h* decreased from 95 to 94). For the instrumental determinations of colour and visual perception of consistency, the most suitable parameters for quality control are the colour coordinates L*, a*, h*, whiteness index and flow distance measured with a Bostwick consistometer. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.The authors thank the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia for the financial support given throughout the Project AGL 2010-22176. The authors are indebted to the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia, Spain) for the Grant awarded to the author Maria Benlloch. The translation of this paper was funded by the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Spain.Benlloch Tinoco, M.; Varela Tomasco, PA.; Salvador Alcaraz, A.; Martínez Navarrete, N. (2012). Effects of Microwave Heating on Sensory Characteristics of Kiwifruit Puree. Food and Bioprocess Technology. 5(8):3021-3031. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-011-0652-1S3021303158Albert, A., Varela, P., Salvador, A., & Fiszman, S. M. (2009). 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Photometry and colorimetry characterisation of materials in daylighting evaluation tools. Building and Environment, 43, 2046–2058.Bourne, M. C. (1982). Food texture and viscosity-concept and measurement. New York: Academic.Cano, M. P., Hernández, A., & de Ancos, B. (1997). High pressure and temperature effects on enzyme inactivation in strawberry and orange products. Journal of Food Science, 62(1), 85–88.Chiralt, A., Martínez-Navarrete, N., Camacho, M. M., & González, C. (1998). Experimentos de fisicoquímica de alimentos. Valencia: Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Chapter 3).Chiralt, A., Martínez-Navarrete, N., González, C., Talens, P., & Moraga, G. (2007). Propiedades físicas de los alimentos. Valencia: Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Chapter 16).Contreras, C., Martín, M. E., Martínez-Navarrete, N., & Chiralt, A. (2005). Effect of vacuum impregnation and microwave application on structural changes occurred during air drying of apple. Food Science and Technology/LWT, 38(5), 471–477.Contreras, C., Martín-Esparza, M. E., Martínez-Navarrete, N., & Chiralt, A. (2007). Influence of osmotic pre-treatment and microwave application on properties of air dried strawberry related to structural changes. European Food Research and Technology, 224, 499–504.de Ancos, B., Cano, M. P., Hernández, A., & Monreal, M. (1999). Effects of microwave heating on pigment composition and color of fruit purees. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 79, 663–670.Dubost, N. J., Shewfelt, R. L., & Eitenmiller, R. R. (2003). Consumer acceptability, sensory and instrumental analysis of peanut soy spreads. Journal of Food Quality, 26, 27–42.Escribano, S., Sánchez, F. J., & Lázaro, A. (2010). Establishment of a sensory characterization protocol for melon (Cucumis melo L.) and its correlation with physical-chemical attributes: indications for future genetics improvements. European Food Research and Technology, 231, 611–621.Fang, L., Jiang, B., & Zhang, T. (2008). Effect of combined high pressure and thermal treatment in kiwifruit peroxidase. Food Chemistry, 109, 802–807.Fisk, C. L., McDaniel, M. R., Strick, B. C., & Zhao, Y. (2006). Physicochemical, sensory, and nutritive qualities of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta ‘Ananasnaya’) as affected by harvest maturity and storage. Sensory and Nutritive Qualities of Food, 71(3), 204–210.Fúster, C., Préstamo, G., & Cano, M. P. (1994). Drip loss, peroxidase and sensory changes in kiwi fruit slices during frozen storage. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 64, 23–29.Guldas, M. (2003). Peeling and the physical and chemical properties of kiwi fruit. Journal of Food Processing Preservation, 27, 271–284.Igual, M., Contreras, C., & Martínez-Navarrete, N. (2010). Non-conventional techniques to obtain grapefruit jam. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 11, 335–341.Igual, M., García-Martínez, E., Camacho, M. M., & Martínez-Navarrete, N. (2010). Effect of thermal treatment and storage on the stability of organic acids and the functional value of grapefruit juice. Food Chemistry, 118, 291–299.Jaeger, S. R., Rossiter, K. L., Wismer, W. V., & Harker, F. R. (2003). Consumer-driven product development in the kiwifruit industry. Food Quality and Preference, 14, 187–198.Lawless, H., & Heymann, H. (1998). Sensory evaluation of food: Principles and practices. New York: Chapman & Hall.MAPA (2010). Plataforma de conocimiento para el medio rural y pesquero. National Agricultural Statistics Database, Spain, Available at: www.mapa.es . Accessed 05 October 2010.Maskan, M. (2001). Kinetics of colour change of kiwifruits during hot air and microwave drying. Journal of Food Engineering, 48, 169–175.Mohammadi, A., Rafiee, S., Emam-Djomeh, Z., & Keyhani, A. (2008). Kinetic models for colour change in kiwifruit slices during Hoy Air drying. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 4(3), 376–383.Moretti, C. L., Mattos, L. M., Machado, C. M. M., & Kluge, R. A. (2007). Physiological and quality attributes associated with different centrifugation times of baby carrots. Horticultura Brasileira, 25, 557–561.Nielsen, S. S. (2010). Food analysis laboratory manual. New York: Springer.Oraguzie, N., Alspach, P., Volz, R., Whitworz, C., Ranatunga, C., Weskett, R., et al. (2009). Postharvest assessment of fruit quality parameters in apple using both instrument and an expert panel. Posthaverst Biology and Technology., 52, 279–287.Pagliarini, E., Laureati, M., & Lavelli, V. (2010). Sensory evaluation of gluten-free breads assessed by a trained panel of celiac assessors. European Food Research and Technology, 231, 37–46.Park, E. Y., & Luh, B. S. (1985). Polyphenol oxidase of kiwifruit. Journal of Food Science, 50, 678–684.Schubert, H., & Regier, M. (2010). The microwave processing of foods. London: Woodhead.Segnini, S., Dejmek, P., & Öste, R. (1999). Relationship between instrumental and sensory analysis of texture and colour of potato chips. Journal of Texture Studies, 30, 677–690.Sinija, V. R., & Mishra, H. N. (2011). Fuzzy analysis of sensory data for quality evaluation and ranking of instant green Tea powder and granules. Food Bioprocess Technology, 4, 408–416.Soufleros, E. H., Pissa, I., Petridis, D., Lygerakis, M., Mermelas, K., Boukouvalas, G., et al. (2001). Instrumental analysis of volatile and other compounds of Greek kiwi wine; sensory evaluation and optimization of its composition. Analytical, Nutritional and Clinical Methods Section, 75, 487–500.Vadivambal, R., & Jayas, D. S. (2007). Changes in quality of microwave-treated agricultural products-a review. Biosystems Engineering, 98, 1–16.Worch, T., Lê, S., & Punter, P. (2010). How reliable are the consumers? Comparison of sensory profiles from consumers and experts. Food Quality and Preference, 21, 309–318.Zanoni, B., Lavelli, V., Ambrosoli, R., Garavaglia, L., Minati, J., & Pagliarini, E. (2007). A model to predict shelf-life in air and darkness of cut, ready-to-use, fresh carrots under both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Journal of Food Engineering, 79, 586–591.Zolfaghari, M., Sahari, M. A., Barzegar, M., & Samadloiy, H. (2010). Physicochemical and enzymatic properties of five kiwifruit cultivars during cold storage. Food Bioprocess Technology, 3, 239–246

Programa de desarrollo de sistemas integrales de infraestructura y movilidad colectiva. Nuevas formas de movilidad para la vida

Las poblaciones urbanas padecen diversos problemas ambientales, de salud, segregación y pérdida de espacios públicos, derroche energético, ruido, así como altas inversiones de tiempo y dinero. Estas situaciones poseen un denominador común: una tecnología inadecuada llamada automóvil unipersonal. Buscamos intervenir tecnológicamente el contexto de las ciudades mediante un sistema de movilidad público, eficiente, no invasivo, silencioso, de bajo costo, saludable y ecológico. En este trabajo presentamos diferentes soluciones, con la intención de ir llevando esta tecnología hacia su transferencia tecnológica.ITESO, A.C.CoecytjalIngenieros Sin Frontera

In silico pathway reconstruction: Iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

BACKGROUND: Current advances in genomics, proteomics and other areas of molecular biology make the identification and reconstruction of novel pathways an emerging area of great interest. One such class of pathways is involved in the biogenesis of Iron-Sulfur Clusters (ISC). RESULTS: Our goal is the development of a new approach based on the use and combination of mathematical, theoretical and computational methods to identify the topology of a target network. In this approach, mathematical models play a central role for the evaluation of the alternative network structures that arise from literature data-mining, phylogenetic profiling, structural methods, and human curation. As a test case, we reconstruct the topology of the reaction and regulatory network for the mitochondrial ISC biogenesis pathway in S. cerevisiae. Predictions regarding how proteins act in ISC biogenesis are validated by comparison with published experimental results. For example, the predicted role of Arh1 and Yah1 and some of the interactions we predict for Grx5 both matches experimental evidence. A putative role for frataxin in directly regulating mitochondrial iron import is discarded from our analysis, which agrees with also published experimental results. Additionally, we propose a number of experiments for testing other predictions and further improve the identification of the network structure. CONCLUSION: We propose and apply an iterative in silico procedure for predictive reconstruction of the network topology of metabolic pathways. The procedure combines structural bioinformatics tools and mathematical modeling techniques that allow the reconstruction of biochemical networks. Using the Iron Sulfur cluster biogenesis in S. cerevisiae as a test case we indicate how this procedure can be used to analyze and validate the network model against experimental results. Critical evaluation of the obtained results through this procedure allows devising new wet lab experiments to confirm its predictions or provide alternative explanations for further improving the models

Preoperative dexamethasone reduces postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting following mastectomy for breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dexamethasone has been reported to reduce postoperative symptoms after different surgical procedures. We evaluated the efficacy of preoperative dexamethasone in ameliorating postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and pain after mastectomy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 70 patients scheduled for mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection were analyzed after randomization to treatment with 8 mg intravenous dexamethasone (<it>n </it>= 35) or placebo (<it>n </it>= 35). All patients underwent standardized procedures for general anesthesia and surgery. Episodes of PONV and pain score were recorded on a visual analogue scale. Analgesic and antiemetic requirements were also recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Demographic and medical variables were similar between groups. The incidence of PONV was lower in the dexamethasone group at the early postoperative evaluation (28.6% <it>vs</it>. 60%; <it>p </it>= 0.02) and at 6 h (17.2% <it>vs</it>. 45.8%; <it>p </it>= 0.03). More patients in the placebo group required additional antiemetic medication (21 <it>vs</it>. 8; <it>p </it>= 0.01). Dexamethasone treatment significantly reduced postoperative pain just after surgery (VAS score, 4.54 ± 1.55 <it>vs</it>. 5.83 ± 2.00; <it>p </it>= 0.004), at 6 h (3.03 ± 1.20 <it>vs</it>. 4.17 ± 1.24; <it>p </it>< 0.0005) and at 12 h (2.09 ± 0.85 <it>vs</it>. 2.54 ± 0.98; <it>p </it>= 0.04). Analgesics were required in more patients of the control group (21 <it>vs</it>. 10; <it>p </it>= 0.008). There were no adverse events, morbidity or mortality.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Preoperative intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg) can significantly reduce the incidence of PONV and pain in patients undergoing mastectomy with axillary dissection for breast cancer.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>NCT01116713</p

New insights into the neolithisation process in southwest Europe according to spatial density analysis from calibrated radiocarbon dates

The agricultural way of life spreads throughout Europe via two main routes: the Danube corridor and the Mediterranean basin. Current archaeological literature describes the arrival to the Western Mediterranean as a rapid process which involves both demic and cultural models, and in this regard, the dispersal movement has been investigated using mathematical models, where the key factors are time and space. In this work, we have created a compilation of all available radiocarbon dates for the whole of Iberia, in order to draw a chronological series of maps to illustrate temporal and spatial patterns in the neolithisation process. The maps were prepared by calculating the calibrated 14C date probability density curves, as a proxy to show the spatial dynamics of the last hunter-gatherers and first farmers. Several scholars have pointed out problems linked with the variability of samples, such as the overrepresentation of some sites, the degree of regional research, the nature of the dated samples and above all the archaeological context, but we are confident that the selected dates, after applying some filters and statistical protocols, constitute a good way to approach settlement spatial patterns in Iberia at the time of the neolithisation process