Polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene in preeclampsia: a candidate-gene association study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (<it>NOS3</it>) has been proposed as a candidate gene for preeclampsia. However, studies so far have produced conflicting results. This study examines the specific role of variants and haplotypes of the <it>NOS3 </it>gene in a population of Caucasian origin.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the association of three common variants of the <it>NOS3 </it>gene (4b/a, T-786C and G894T) and their haplotypes in a case-control sample of 102 patients with preeclampsia and 176 women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies. Genotyping for the <it>NOS3 </it>variants was performed and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained to evaluate the association between <it>NOS3 </it>polymorphisms and preeclampsia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The single locus analysis for the three variants using various genetic models and a model-free approach revealed no significant association in relation to clinical status. The analysis of haplotypes also showed lack of significant association.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Given the limitations of the candidate-gene approach in investigating complex traits, the evidence of our study does not support the major contributory role of these common <it>NOS3 </it>variants in preeclampsia. Future larger studies may help in elucidating the genetics of preeclampsia further.</p

Earth observation for sustainable urban planning in developing countries: needs, trends, and future directions

Abstract: Cities are constantly changing and authorities face immense challenges in obtaining accurate and timely data to effectively manage urban areas. This is particularly problematic in the developing world where municipal records are often unavailable or not updated. Spaceborne earth observation (EO) has great potential for providing up-to-date spatial information about urban areas. This article reviews the application of EO for supporting urban planning. In particular, the article overviews case studies where EO was used to derive products and indicators required by urban planners. The review concludes that EO has sufficiently matured in recent years but that a shift from the current focus on purely science-driven EO applications to the provision of useful information for day-to-day decision-making and urban sustainability monitoring is clearly needed

Analysis of the quality of reporting of randomized controlled trials in anticoagulant versus antiplatelet medication for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis as governed by the CONSORT statement

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard research in evaluating healthcare interventions. The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement improves the quality of RCTs in an evidence-based approach. To evaluate the reporting quality of published RCTs concerning the use of anticoagulants versus antiplatelet agents for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis according to the CONSORT statement. Electronic databases were searched for English-language RCTs involving patients who received either anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism published from 2000 to 2019. Trials were considered eligible when the included patients received either anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication for primary and secondary prevention of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and were randomly assigned to at least two treatment arms. Quality of reporting was assessed using a 37-item questionnaire based on the CONSORT 2010 checklist. Reporting was assessed in 2 publication periods (2000–2009) and (2010–2019). The effect of CONSORT statement in high- and low-ranked medical journals, according to their impact factor, has also been evaluated. The search identified 13 eligible articles for analysis. Only 12 of the 37 items of the checklist were addressed in 75% or more of the studies. Most items concerning the methodological issues were reported by fewer than 50% of the studies. Improvements over time were seen for items that assessed the methodological quality with no statistically significant difference. RCTs published in high-ranked journals showed better quality of reporting. Quality of reporting in RCTs focusing on the use of anticoagulants versus antiplatelet agents for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis remains unsatisfactory. Further improvement of reporting is necessary to assess the validity of clinical research. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

MDR1 mRNA expression and MDR1 gene variants as predictors of response to chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: a meta-analysis

Data from 30 pharmacogenomic studies that investigated MDR1 mRNA expression or gene variants (C3435T, G2677TA, C1236T) and response to therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were synthesized. Anthracycline-based regimens were mainly used. MDR1 mRNA overexpression was associated with poor response to therapy [odds ratio (OR) = 2.49 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.38-4.50]. The gene variants were not associated with response to treatment; the generalized ORs, a genetic model-free approach, for the variants C3435T, G2677TA and C1236T were ORG = 0.86 (95% CI 0.55-1.37), ORG = 0.97 (95% CI 0.58-1.64) and ORG = 1.17 (95% CI 0.75-1.83), respectively. There is indication that MDR1 mRNA expression may be considered as a potential marker for response to chemotherapy in AML patients

Proportion of published primary health care protocols with published results in subsequent papers was decreasing

Objectives: We assessed the proportion of primary health care (PHC) randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocols published in peer-reviewed journals that published results in subsequent papers in peer-reviewed journals; and whether this proportion changed over time. Study Design and Setting: We searched (last update June 2019) for RCTs published in peer-reviewed journals reporting primary outcome results for 620 protocols that were published up to 2014 and were retrieved in PubMed. We recorded the absolute number and the proportion of protocols with published results per year; and estimated whether the proportion changed over time. Results: Of the 620 published protocols, 525 (85%) disseminated their results through a published RCT by June 2019. The number of published protocols was increasing over time especially after 2001. However, the proportion of protocols per year with published results in subsequent papers was decreasing over time after 2002. Specifically, the proportion ranged from 86% to 96% for protocols published until 2010 while for those published from 2011 onward ranged from 76% to 86%. Mean time from protocol to results publication was 39 months (95% CI 37, 41). Conclusion: Almost one-sixth of PHC trial protocols published in peer-reviewed journals did not publish their results in subsequent papers. © 2019 Elsevier Inc

Bone mineral density and genetic markers involved in three connected pathways (focal adhesion, actin cytoskeleton regulation and cell cycle): The CUMAGAS-BMD information system

The focal adhesion, the actin cytoskeleton and cell-cycle are connected pathways and their genes are implicated in the pathogenesis of low BMD. Data from 211 studies that investigated the association between BMD and gene variants involved in these pathways were catalogued in a web-based information system and analyzed. In individual studies, significant association was found for 16 variants in lumbar spine, 11 in femoral neck and 5 in hip. In meta-analysis, significant results were shown for the variants COL1A1 rs1800012 (in lumbar spine and femoral neck), COL1A1 rs1107946 (in lumbar spine), TGFB1 rs1982073 (in femoral neck and hip) and TGFB1 rs1800469 (in lumbar spine). © 2011 Informa UK, Ltd

SHALLOW-WATER BATHYMETRY OVER VARIABLE BOTTOM TYPES USING MULTISPECTRAL WORLDVIEW-2 IMAGE

Image processing techniques that involve multispectral remotely sensed data are considered attractive for bathymetry applications as they provide a time- and cost-effective solution to water depths estimation. In this paper the potential of 8-bands image acquired by Worldview-2 satellite in providing precise depth measurements was investigated. Multispectral image information was integrated with available echo sounding and GPS data for the determination of the depth in the area of interest. In particular the main objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of high spatial and spectral resolution of the new imagery data on water depth measurements using the Lyzenga linear bathymetry model. The existence of sea grass in a part of the study area influenced the linear relationship between water reflectance and depth. Therefore the bathymetric model was applied in three image parts: an area with sea grass, a mixed area and a sea grass-free area. In the last two areas the model worked successfully supported by the multiplicity of the imagery bands

Network Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials in Multiple Sclerosis

Background: The optimal treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not yet well-defined. Objective: To estimate the relative effectiveness of treatments in MS, we performed a network of multiple-treatments meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for relapsing MS using three main efficacy outcomes: relapse-free patients, patients without disease progression, and patients without magnetic resonance imaging progression. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify English-language articles with RCTs that compared pharmaceutical treatments using the terms multiple sclerosis and randomized controlled trial. All RCTs that involved patients with definite relapsing MS and provided data for calculating the odds ratios for the main outcomes were considered. First, comparative effectiveness relative to placebo was assessed using direct analysis. Then, each therapy was compared with interferon beta-1b (250 mu g)(star) in direct and indirect analyses. Effect sizes were estimated by applying a random-effects model. Results: We identified 4165 titles; after screening, 109 articles were eligible for inclusion. In total, 26,828 patients were included. The network consisted of 145 treatments involving 59 direct comparisons with placebo and 3 direct comparisons with interferon beta-1b (250 mu g). Two treatments showed better response compared with placebo (direct analysis) for all three efficacy outcomes: natalizumab (300 mg)(dagger) and fingolimod (0.5 mg). In comparing treatments with interferon beta-1b (250 mu g), the network analysis revealed that no therapy shows better response for all 3 efficacy outcomes and alemtuzumab, 12 and 24 mg, have better response for 2 of the outcomes (relapse-free patients and patients without disease progression). Conclusions: Although some treatments seem to have better efficacy, the results should be interpreted with caution because the network was dominated by indirect comparisons. Data from the selected studies included in the network cannot be extrapolated beyond them. Large RCTs that make head-to-head comparisons between treatments are needed to draw safe conclusions for the optimal treatment of MS. (Clin Ther. 2012;34:857-869) (C) 2012 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved

A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies of bisphosphonates and denosumab in multiple myeloma and future perspectives

Bisphosphonates (BPs) and denosumab (DENOS), due to their ability to inhibit osteoclast activity, are used to prevent skeletal complications in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The NCBI PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, were systematically searched for interventional studies, assessing the use of BP and DENOS in MM patients. Overall survival, disease progression, skeletal-related events, bone pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and renal toxicity were the outcomes of interest. A total of 993 studies were retrieved and 43 were used for qualitative synthesis. Clodronate (CLOD) and zoledronic acid (ZOL) were effective in reducing skeletal complications compared to placebo. Results are mixed regarding the efficacy of pamidronate in reducing skeletal related events. ONJ rates were higher for ZOL, but under 5%, with CLOD having the safest profile. DENOS demonstrated non-inferiority to ZOL, in improving overall survival [pooled Hazard Ratio(HR) 1.02(95% CI 0.72,1.44)], progression free survival [pooled HR 0.92(95% CI 0.76,1.11)] and in reducing skeletal related events [pooled HR 1.03(95% CI 0.92,1.16)], with similar rates of ONJ and better safety profile regarding renal toxicity. Denosumab has comparable efficacy and safety with ZOL and may even replace BPs in the future, in the management of myeloma bone disease. © 2022, International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. All rights reserved