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Background Aseptic prosthetic loosening (APL) and prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are frequent complications of hip and knee implants. Polymorphisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), key inflammatory molecules in APL and PJI pathogenesis, could explain individual susceptibility to these complications. Methods Three cytokines (IL-1-a, IL-1-β, TNF-α) and two nitric oxide synthase (NOS2, NOS3) genes polymorphisms were genotyped in 77 APL and 117 PJI patients and 145 controls with aseptic hip or knee implants lasting > 16 years. Plasma cytokines and nitrate-nitrite (NOx) levels were measured. Results The TT genotype and T allele of the (+3954C/T, exon 5, rs1143634) IL-1β polymorphism were more frequent in APL patients compared to controls (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). No genotypic associations in PJI patients were observed. S. epidermidis was their most frequently isolated microorganism (39.3%). Plasma IL-6, TNF-α and NOx were significantly different between APL and controls (p< 0.0001). Plasma IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly higher in APL T allele carriers vs. non-carriers (p< 0.03). Knee implant (HR 2.488, 95% CI 1.307-4.739, p=0.005), male gender (HR 2.252, 95% CI 1.121-4.525, p=0.023), carriages of the TT genotype of the (+3954C/T) IL-1β polymorphism (HR 3.704, 95% CI 1.274-10.753, p=0.016) and AA genotype of the (exon 22) NOS2 polymorphism (HR 3.509, 95% CI 1.266-9.709, p=0.016) were independently associated with a shorter implant survival by Cox regression. Conclusion Genotyping of IL-1β (+3954C/T, exon 5, rs1143634) and NOS2 (exon 22) polymorphisms could be useful as predictors of early hip or knee APL. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

BackgroundGenome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) have reshaped our understanding of the genetic bases of complex diseases in general and neurodegenerative diseases in particular. Despite being a common disorder, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which, together with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), comprise the umbrella term Lewy body dementias (LBD), is far from being well-characterized genetically. This is primarily due to a lack of familial cases and difficulty recruiting large, deeply characterized cohorts, given the high rate of misdiagnosis. By performing the largest GWAS in DLB, we aimed to identify novel risk loci to gain a better understanding of this disease’s pathobiology.MethodsHere, we conducted the largest meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies performed in LBD, using a total of 5,119 cases and 20,988 controls, from five independent datasets, aggregating all previously published DLB genome-wide association results to date, as well as two previously undescribed cohorts. Additionally, we performed a sex stratified GWAS using the discovery datasets. We updated the heritability estimates for DLB and, to fine map these estimates, we used local heritability analysis. We calculated genetic correlation estimates between DLB and a range of other diseases and traits to identify potential pleiotropy. We also performed gene-set analysis to identify genes with excess burden of rare variability and pathway analysis. Lastly, we used the UK Biobank data to perform a PheWas using individuals at the extremes of genetic risk for DLB.FindingsBetween November 2018 and September 2022 we analyzed 8.6 million single nucleotide polymorphisms in 3293 DLB cases, 1826 LBD cases and 20,988 controls, as well as phenotypes from the UK Biobank dataset. Despite more than doubling the sample size from the previous GWAS in DLB, we did not identify significant loci in addition to those previously reported atGBA, SNCA, STX1B, andAPOE. However, the sex-stratified analysis revealed that theGBAandSNCAsignals are mainly driven by males, suggesting a sex-specific genetic architecture of disease. Using only clinical and neuropathologically diagnosed cases, we highlight four loci surpassing the significance threshold. Using the largest cohort of DLB we update our heritability estimates to 13% and fine map these results highlighting regions of the genome with high heritability but no genome-wide significant result so far.InterpretationThese data provide the most comprehensive analysis of genetic variability in DLB to date. The fact that no novel risk loci have been identified after doubling the cohort size indicates the potentially significant role of rare variants in the genetic architecture of DLB and stresses the urgent need for larger, well-characterized cohorts of this disease for genetic studies. The sex-stratified analysis shows that males and females have different signatures of genetic risk for DLB. These results have widespread implications for clinical practice and clinical trials’ design in DLB.

Aseptic prosthetic loosening (APL) and prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are frequent complications of hip and knee implants. Polymorphisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), key inflammatory molecules in APL and PJI pathogenesis, could explain individual susceptibility to these complications. Three cytokines (IL-1-a, IL-1-β, TNF-α) and two nitric oxide synthase (NOS2, NOS3) genes polymorphisms were genotyped in 77 APL and 117 PJI patients and 145 controls with aseptic hip or knee implants that were implanted for > 16 years. Plasma cytokines and nitrate-nitrite (NOx) levels also were measured. The TT genotype and T allele of (+3954 C/T, exon 5, rs1143634) IL-1β polymorphism were more frequent in APL patients compared to controls (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). No genotypic associations in PJI patients were observed. Plasma IL-6, TNF-α and NOx were significantly different between APL and controls (P T allele carriers vs. non-carriers (P TT genotype of the (+3954 C/T) IL-1β polymorphism (HR 3.704, 95% CI 1.274–10.753, P = 0.016) and AA genotype of the (exon 22) NOS2 polymorphism (HR 3.509, 95% CI 1.266–9.709, P = 0.016) were independently associated with a shorter implant survival by Cox regression. No genotypic associations in PJI patients were observed. Genotyping of IL-1β (+3954 C/T, exon 5, rs1143634) and NOS2 (exon 22) polymorphisms could be useful as predictors of early hip or knee APL.

MDA5, encoded by the IFIH1gene, is a cytoplasmic sensor of viral RNAs that triggers interferon (IFN) antiviral responses. Common and rare IFIH1 variants have been associated with the risk of type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated disorders, and with the outcome of viral diseases. Variants associated with reduced IFN expression would increase the risk for severe viral disease. The MDA5/IFN pathway would play a critical role in the response to SARS-CoV-2 infection mediating the extent and severity of COVID-19. Here, we genotyped a cohort of 477 patients with critical ICU COVID-19 (109 death) for three IFIH1 functional variants: rs1990760 (p.Ala946Thr), rs35337543 (splicing variant, intron 8 + 1G C), and rs35744605 (p.Glu627Stop). The main finding of our study was a significant increased frequency of rs1990760 C-carriers in early-onset patients ( 65 years) (p = 0.01; OR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.18-2.43). This variant was also increased in critical vs. no-ICU patients and in critical vs. asymptomatic controls. The rs35744605 C variant was associated with increased blood IL6 levels at ICU admission. The rare rs35337543 splicing variant showed a trend toward protection from early-onset critical COVID-19. In conclusion, IFIH1 variants associated with reduced gene expression and lower IFN response might contribute to develop critical COVID-19 with an age-dependent effect.

Primary responses in sepsis-mediated inflammation are regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Variations in the cytokine genes might modify their transcription or expression, plasma cytokines levels and response to sepsis. Activation protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB regulate cytokines gene expression in sepsis. A total of 90 severely septic and 91 non-infected patients were prospectively studied. IL-1α ( –889 C/T), IL-1β ( +3954 C/T), IL-6 ( –174 G/C), TNF-α ( –238 G/A), TNF-α ( –308G/A), IL-8 ( –251A/T) and IL-10 ( –1082 G/A) SNPs, plasma IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels, and AP-1 and NF-κB gene expression by neutrophils were assessed. A allele carriers of TNF-α ( –238 G/A) SNP were less frequent among septic patients. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and MCP-1 levels were higher, and AP-1 and NF-κB gene expressions lower in septic patients. Sepsis was independently associated with higher fibrinogen, neutrophils counts and IL-8 levels, lower prothrombin, absence of the variant A allele of the TNF-α (–238 G/A) SNP, and haemodynamic failure. Death was independently associated with a higher APACHE II score, higher IL-8 levels, and the diagnosis of sepsis. TNF-a ( –238 G/A) SNP could protect against sepsis development. Higher IL-8 levels are predictive of sepsis and mortality.

espanolEl presente articulo se propone identificar los fundamentos de la teoria de la comunicabilidad de la Obra de Arte que se puede extraer de los escritos de Edith Stein. Tras presentar el problema de la empatia y la base antropologica que afecta a los sujetos y objetos del mundo del arte, ademas de los posibles problemas en la transmision de dicho mensaje artistico, se ahonda en las implicaciones de la consideracion del arte como objeto y sujeto de empatia y el sistema comunicativo que se puede establecer en el mundo del arte. EnglishThis article aims to identify the basis of the communicability theory of Artwork which can be extracted from the writings of Edith Stein. After presenting empathy issue and the anthropological base which affects both the subjects and objects in the art world, alongside the possible difficulties with the transmission of said artistic message, this article delves into the implications of considering arts as an object and a subject of empathy and the communication system which can be established in the world of art.

Both Brazil and Venezuela structured their foreign policy agendas in the early 21st century on the projection of their respective leadership in regional schemes such as UNASUR and ALBA, respectively, following an intermediate hegemonic strategy. The loss of dynamism of these post-hegemonic initiatives problematizes the relationship between regional governance and the role of regional powers. ALBA is a scheme contingent on the political cycle and political voluntarism intrinsic in Venezuela’s leadership. The bloc has lost members and relevance in recent years. As for UNASUR, most of its member states have withdrawn from the bloc and it is currently not operating. In short, post-hegemonic proposals lose dynamism and support once the leadership that promoted them weakens. A certain ‘hegemonic stability theory’ contextualized to South America with regard to the leadership of Brazil and Venezuela in recent years seems to be fulfilled: the decline in power of these countries helps to account for political reversals and changes in regional governance.

A partir de 2020, la COVID-19 se convirtió en un problema global de salud pública de dimensiones descomunales. La región de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) vio emerger la pandemia en un momento de agravamiento de brechas estructurales y fuerte descontento social. Los gobiernos reaccionaron para prevenir la propagación del virus de manera unilateral en la mayoría de los casos, pero algunas respuestas se engendraron a nivel regional y subregional. Este documento de trabajo busca interpelar de la forma más integral posible al regionalismo latinoamericano y caribeño frente a la pandemia de la COVID-19. Así, el documento se enfoca en la respuesta de ALBA, Alianza del Pacífico, CARICOM, CAN, CELAC, Mercosur, PROSUR y SICA. También incluye la respuesta del BID y los bancos de desarrollo subregionales: BCIE, CAF, CDB y FONPLATA. Asimismo, analiza la actuación de la CEPAL y la OPS. El ejercicio comparativo puede contribuir a discernir qué esquemas regionales mostraron vitalidad y eficacia, resultando en un impulso a la integración, y cuáles no lograron responder de forma adecuada, sin poder abandonar tendencias preexistentes de polarización y debilidad. El análisis ofrece, además, algunas lecciones y conlleva el propósito último de advertir desafíos para el presente y el futuro del regionalismo.

IgG3 would play an important role in the immune adaptive response against SARS-CoV-2, and low plasma levels might increase the risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality. The IgG3 hinge sequence has a variable repeat of a 15 amino acid exon with common 4-repeats (M) and 3-repeats (S). This length IGHG3 polymorphism might affect the IgG3 effector functions. The short hinge length would reduce the IgG3 flexibility and impairs the neutralization and phagocytosis compared to larger length-isoforms. We genotyped the IGHG3 length polymorphism in patients with critical COVID-19 (N = 516; 107 death) and 152 moderate-severe but no-critical cases. Carriers of the S allele had an increased risk of critical ICU and mortality (p 0.001, OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.66-4.65). This adverse effect might be explained by a less flexibility and reduced ability to induce phagocytosis or viral neutralization for the short length allele. We concluded that the IgG3 hinge length polymorphism could be a predictor of critical COVID-19 and the risk of death. This study was based on a limited number of patients from a single population, and requires validation in larger cohorts.

Undaria pinnatifida is an invasive brown algae that has been found on the Argentine coast since 1992. This work aims to follow the ontogeny of sporophytes, from egg fecundation to thallus senility, and thereby contribute to information on the development of the species in San Jorge Gulf. Sporophytes obtained in the laboratory were used to study the first stages of development, while samples collected from field population were used to describe advanced stages. Morphological observations were carried out on fronds, stipes, midrib, sporophylls and holdfasts of thalli at different developmental stages, and they was interpreted related to its functionality. Sporophytes described as typical and distant forms were found, and their location in the coastal zone was determined. Primary growth of sporophyte begins in the intercalar meristoderm located between the frond and the stipe. The upper portion of the intercalar meristem produces a row of small pinnules, and its lower portion is the origin of the lateral stipe ribbons. The thallus area and growth in thickness occur through a meristoderm in the frond surface. Characteristic morphological structures such as gland cells, filaments and trumpet cells, and cryptostomata were observed. Some of the gland cells lead to the formation of hair-filled cryptostomata. This work contributed to increase the knowledge of anatomical characteristics of the thallus at different moments of development of this invasive species.

Furin is a protease that plays a key role in the infection cycle of SARS-CoV-2 by cleaving the viral proteins during the virus particle assembly. In addition, Furin regulates several physiological processes related to cardio-metabolic traits. DNA variants in the FURIN gene are candidates to regulate the risk of developing these traits as well as the susceptibility to severe COVID-19. We genotyped two functional FURIN variants (rs6224/rs4702) in 428 COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit. The association with death (N = 106) and hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia was statistically evaluated. The risk of death was associated with age, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. The two FURIN alleles linked to higher expression (rs6224 T and rs4702 A) were significantly increased in the death cases (odds ratio= 1.40 and 1.43). Homozygosis for the two high expression genotypes (rs6224 TT and rs4702 AA) and for the T-A haplotype was associated with an increased risk of hypercholesterolemia. In the multiple logistic regression both, hypercholesterolemia and the TT + AA genotype were significantly associated with death. In conclusion, besides its association with hypercholesterolemia, FURIN variants might be independent risk factors for the risk of death among COVID-19 patients.

This text analyzes recent experiences with young people from Middle Schools of the city of Buenos Aires (Argentina) in Memory Sites of this city. Our inquiry is interested in the intergenerational transmission referring to the traumatic past around the last military dictatorship established in Argentina between 1976 and 1983. With this interest, two experiences designed through artistic languages are analyzed: the Posters Project from the Memory Park and the use of poetry in the guided visits to the Memory Site at "El Olimpo", former Clandestine Detention Center for Torture and Extermination, both spaces of the city of Buenos Aires.

Background The “diagnose-and-leave-in” policy has been established to reduce the risks and costs related to unnecessary polypectomies in the average-risk population. In individuals with Lynch syndrome, owing to accelerated carcinogenesis, the general recommendation is to remove all polyps, irrespective of size, location, and appearance. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of the diagnose-and-leave-in strategy in individuals with Lynch syndrome. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis based on per-polyp data from a randomized, clinical trial conducted by 24 dedicated colonoscopists at 14 academic centers, in which 256 patients with confirmed Lynch syndrome underwent surveillance colonoscopy from July 2016 to January 2018. In vivo optical diagnosis with confidence level for all detected lesions was obtained before polypectomy using virtual chromoendoscopy alone or with dye-based chromoendoscopy. Primary outcome was the negative predictive value (NPV) for neoplasia of high-confidence optical diagnosis among diminutive (≤ 5 mm) rectosigmoid lesions. Histology was the reference standard. Results Of 147 rectosigmoid lesions, 128 were diminutive. In 103 of the 128 lesions (81 %), the optical diagnostic confidence was high and showed an NPV of 96.0 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 88.9 %–98.6 %) and accuracy of 89.3 % (95 %CI 81.9 %–93.9 %). By following the diagnose-and-leave-in policy, we would have avoided 59 % (75/128) of polypectomies at the expense of two diminutive low grade dysplastic adenomas and one diminutive sessile serrated lesion that would have been left in situ. Conclusion In patients with Lynch syndrome, the diagnose-and-leave-in strategy for diminutive rectosigmoid polyps would be feasible and safe.

Novel pectin-based, antifungal, edible coatings (ECs) were formulated by the addition of natural extracts or essential oils (EOs), and their ability to control green mold (GM), caused by Penicillium digitatum, and preserve postharvest quality of ‘Valencia’ oranges was evaluated. Satureja montana, Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CN), Commiphora myrrha (MY) EOs, eugenol (EU), geraniol (GE), vanillin, and propolis extract were selected as the most effective antifungal agents against P. digitatum in in vitro assays. Pectin-beeswax edible coatings amended with these antifungals were applied to artificially inoculated oranges to evaluate GM control. ECs containing GE (2 g/kg), EU (4 and 8 g/kg), and MY EO (15 g/kg) reduced disease incidence by up to 58% after 8 days of incubation at 20 °C, while CN (8 g/kg) effectively reduced disease severity. Moreover, ECs formulated with EU (8 g/kg) and GE (2 g/kg) were the most effective on artificially inoculated cold-stored oranges, with GM incidence reductions of 56 and 48% after 4 weeks at 5 °C. Furthermore, ECs containing EU and MY reduced weight loss and maintained sensory and physicochemical quality after 8 weeks at 5 °C followed by 7 days at 20 °C. Overall, ECs with EU were the most promising and could be a good natural, safe, and eco-friendly commercial treatment for preserving orange postharvest quality.

Primary responses in sepsis-mediated inflammation are regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Variations in the cytokine genes might modify their transcription or expression, plasma cytokines levels and response to sepsis. Activation protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB regulate cytokines gene expression in sepsis. A total of 90 severely septic and 91 non-infected patients were prospectively studied. IL-1α (–889 C/T), IL-1β (+3954 C/T), IL-6 (–174 G/C), TNF-α (–238 G/A), TNF-α (–308G/A), IL-8 (–251A/T) and IL-10 (–1082 G/A) SNPs, plasma IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels, and AP-1 and NF-κB gene expression by neutrophils were assessed. A allele carriers of TNF-α (–238 G/A) SNP were less frequent among septic patients. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and MCP-1 levels were higher, and AP-1 and NF-κB gene expressions lower in septic patients. Sepsis was independently associated with higher fibrinogen, neutrophils counts and IL-8 levels, lower prothrombin, absence of the variant A allele of the TNF-α (–238 G/A) SNP, and haemodynamic failure. Death was independently associated with a higher APACHE II score, higher IL-8 levels, and the diagnosis of sepsis. TNF-a (–238 G/A) SNP could protect against sepsis development. Higher IL-8 levels are predictive of sepsis and mortality.

Durante la última dictadura militar argentina, alrededor de 500 niños y niñas fueron apropiados en el marco del plan sistemático de desaparición de personas. Desde ese entonces, familiares y organismos de derechos humanos, en especial Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, emprendieron la lucha por localizarlos/as y restituirlos/as a sus legítimas familias. En este proceso elaboraron diferentes conceptos y representaciones en torno a la cuestión de la identidad subjetiva y su relación con la genética, el parentesco, la memoria y la historia. A comienzos de los años 2000, la causa de Abuelas tomó mayor impulso, en gran medida porque muchos/as niños/as apropiados/as, por entonces ya jóvenes, emprendieron por iniciativa propia la búsqueda de sus verdaderos orígenes, lo que llevó a un aumento de las restituciones y una mayor visibilidad de las mismas. En este contexto, Abuelas promovió diferentes iniciativas culturales y mediáticas con el objetivo de consolidar la legitimidad social de su causa y llegar a sus principales destinatarios: los jóvenes que dudaban sobre su verdadera identidad biológica. Una de estas iniciativas fue Televisión por la Identidad, una miniserie de tres capítulos emitida por el canal Telefé en el año 2007. La serie alcanzó una gran audiencia y repercutió de manera notable en la difusión del mensaje de Abuelas. En este artículo nos proponemos estudiar esta producción audiovisual para indagar qué sentidos construye en torno a la noción de “identidad”. Para ello analizaremos su contexto de producción y la estructura narrativa de sus tres capítulos, lo que nos permitirá indagar en los discursos y representaciones sobre el delito de la apropiación y los procesos de búsqueda y restitución que allí aparecen. Mostraremos de qué manera estos procesos aparecen ligados a la construcción de la identidad de los nietos/as restituidos/as, tanto en una dimensión biológica como también familiar, social y subjetiva.

Luego de cinco décadas de olas de auge y decadencia, el regionalismo en Sudamérica, en los primeros años del siglo XXI, fue repensado en un diseño post-liberal. En particular, una iniciativa de complementación y de cooperación materializada en el ALBA, y un esquema de diálogo intersectorial y cooperación política, la UNASUR. Por su parte, el MERCOSUR, un esquema resiliente de la anterior ola de regionalismo sudamericano, también se renovó en clave post-liberal. Una década después del surgimiento del regionalismo post-liberal, se asiste a una fase de pérdida de dinamismo. En este trabajo describimos los últimos desarrollos en torno a ALBA y UNASUR, así como el MERCOSUR, siguiendo la perspectiva de Dabène de ciclos de politización. El interrogante es si estos esquemas se encuentran en una fase de despolitización. Si esto es así, nos preguntamos si serán lo suficientemente resilientes como para superar dicha fase y transitar hacia una de repolitización.

Minimally processed fruits are an alternative to dairy products to deliver probiotics. Bio-protection against several factors that affect their viability has been proposed in the food industry. In this study, probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CECT 8361 was added to alginate-based coatings enriched with inulin and oligofructose and applied on fresh-blueberries. Probiotic viability, microbiological, physicochemical and sensory quality parameters of blueberries were monitored during 21 days of refrigerated storage. Also, L. rhamnosus CECT 8361 was tested for its antagonistic effect against inoculated Listeria innocua and E. coli O157:H7. Advantageously, prebiotic compounds allowed improving probiotic viability with counts above 6.2 log CFU/g for the entire period. Native microbiota counts remained under safe levels. Overall visual quality, odor and flavor were acceptable up to day 14 of storage. Regarding antimicrobial activity, L. rhamnosus CECT 8361 was able to reduce L. innocua counts by 1.7 log in inoculated blueberries. These results encourage further implementation of new fruit-based foods with multifunctional properties. Fil: Bambace, María Florencia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina Fil: Alvarez, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Moreira, María del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

The detection rates of whole-body combined [18 F]NaF/[18 F]FDG positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), CT alone, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI), and X-ray were prospectively studied in patients with treatment-requiring plasma cell disorders The detection rates of imaging techniques were compared, and focal lesions were classified according to their anatomic location. Twenty-six out of 30 initially included patients were assessable. The number of focal lesions detected in newly diagnosed patients (n = 13) and in relapsed patients (n = 13) were 296 and 234, respectively. The detection rate of PET/CT was significantly higher than those of WB-MRI (P < 0.05) and CT (P < 0.0001) both in patients with newly diagnosed and in those with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). The X-ray detection rate was significantly lower than those of all other techniques, while CT detected more lesions compared with WB-MRI at diagnosis (P = 0.025). With regard to the infiltration patters, relapsed patients presented more diffuse patterns, and more focal lesions located in the limbs compared with newly diagnosed patients. In conclusion, the detection rate of [18 F]NaF/[18 F]FDG PET/CT was significantly higher than those of CT, MRI, and X-ray, while the detection rate of X-rays was significantly lower than those of all other imaging techniques except for focal lesions located in the skull.

Background: Many evidences suggest a pathological link between neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In fact, several epidemiologic studies indicate a decreased incidence of most cancer types in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and some PD genes are involved in cancer networks. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the influence of several factors in the risk of cancer in a cohort of 753 PD patients and to study how these variables interact with each other. Methods: We analyzed the effect of gender, tobacco, alcohol, type of PD (genetic or idiopathic PD), and two genetic variants, previously associated with cancer, rs5848-GRN and rs1042522-TP53. Results: A higher age at PD onset was observed in patients who develop cancer before PD (p < 0.001). Alcohol consumption was a risk factor to develop cancer in PD patients (p = 0.011), while smoking was not a cancer risk factor in our cohort (p = 0.098). Among the genetic factors, the genotype TT GRN-rs5848 was statistically more frequent in PD patients without cancer (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Our study identified several factors, genetic and nongenetic, which contribute to the risk for cancer in PD.

A polymorphism in the LZTFL1 gene located in the chemokine-receptor gene cluster (chromosome 3p) has been associated with the risk of developing COVID-19. The chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5) maps to this region, and the common 32 bp deletion variant (Δ32) has been associated with the extent of inflammatory disease and the outcome in several viral diseases. Several studies have also suggested that the pharmacological targeting of CCR5 could reduce the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the severity of COVID-19. We sought to investigate whether this polymorphism was associated with the risk of moderate-severe COVID-19.We genotyped 294 patients who required hospitalization due to COVID-19 (85 were severe cases) and 460 controls. We found a significantly lower frequency of CCR5-Δ32 among the COVID-19 patients (0.10 vs 0.18 in controls; p=0.002, OR=0.48, 95%CI=0.29-0.76). The difference was mainly due to the reduced frequency of CCR5-Δ32 carriers in the severe, significantly lower than in the non-severe patients (p=0.036). Of note, we did not find deletion-homozygotes among the patients compared to 1% among controls. We also confirmed the association between a LZTFL1 variant and COVID-19. Our study points to CCR5 as a promising target for treatment of COVID-19, but requires validation in additional large cohorts. In confirmed by others, the genetic analysis of CCR5-variants (such as Δ32) might help to identify patients with a higher susceptibility to severe COVID-19.

The present study proposes the valorization of an agroindustrial residue (expeller) obtained from soybean oil extraction by pressing operation. Two expeller samples, S1 and S2, were processed to obtain extracts by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The extractions were performed at 40 MPa and at 35 or 40°C, using CO2 as solvent (5 kg CO2/kg expeller). Also, the expellers were impregnated with ethanol (25% w/w expeller), and then new SFE processes at 35°C were performed for both S1 and S2. The extracts resulting from the ethanol impregnated samples showed the best antioxidant properties with values of total phenolics of 10.6 and 16.0 mg GAE/100 g d.m., flavonoids content of 65.0 and 31.3 QE/100 g d.m. and antioxidant capacity by DPPH values of 9.7 and 12.0 µmol TE/100 g d.m. for S1 and S2, respectively. Phytochemicals from soybean expellers may be recovered through green and safe technologies such as sc-CO2 extraction. Fil: Alvarez, María Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería en Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina Fil: Cabred, Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina Fil: Ramirez, Cristina Lujan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química; Argentina Fil: Fanovich, Maria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina

International Parkinson’s Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC), UK Brain Expression Consortium (UKBEC)., Genome-wide association studies have generated an increasing number of common genetic variants associated with neurological and psychiatric disease risk. An improved understanding of the genetic control of gene expression in human brain is vital considering this is the likely modus operandum for many causal variants. However, human brain sampling complexities limit the explanatory power of brain-related expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and allele-specific expression (ASE) signals. We address this, using paired genomic and transcriptomic data from putamen and substantia nigra from 117 human brains, interrogating regulation at different RNA processing stages and uncovering novel transcripts. We identify disease-relevant regulatory loci, find that splicing eQTLs are enriched for regulatory information of neuron-specific genes, that ASEs provide cell-specific regulatory information with evidence for cellular specificity, and that incomplete annotation of the brain transcriptome limits interpretation of risk loci for neuropsychiatric disease. This resource of regulatory data is accessible through our web server, http://braineacv2.inf.um.es/., Mina Ryten, David Zhang, and Karishma D’Sa were supported by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) through the award of Tenure-track Clinician Scientist Fellowship to Mina Ryten (MR/N008324/1). Sebastian Guelfi was supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK through the award of a PhD Fellowship (ARUK-PhD2014-16). Regina Reynolds was supported through the award of a Leonard Wolfson Doctoral Training Fellowship in Neurodegeneration.

Lutein, a xanthophyll, is associated to decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration, atherosclerosis and other diseases (Bovier et al., 2013; El-raey, Ibrahim, & Eldahshan, 2013). When lutein is extracted, it becomes highly unstable, reducing its functionality as an antioxidant. The aim of this research was to improve the stability of lutein using maltodextrin, arabic gum and a modified starch, to obtain micro-particles using spray-drying. Each of the formulations was characterized in terms of yield, encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, water activity and moisture content. The formulations with arabic gum (100%) and arabic gum:maltodextrin:modified starch (33.3:33.3:33.3%), with encapsulation efficiencies of 91.94 ± 6.88 and 65.72 ± 0.93%, respectively, were selected to study stability at 45 °C and 75% RH (relative humidity). Based on our results, encapsulation could be considered as an alternative for the generation of high value-added functional ingredients that can be used in different industries.

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are increasingly being identified because of the widespread use of high-resolution abdominal imaging. These cysts encompass a spectrum from malignant disease to benign lesions, and therefore, accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the best management strategy, either surgical resection or surveillance. However, the current standard of diagnosis is not accurate enough due to limitations of imaging and tissue sampling techniques, which entail the risk of unnecessary burdensome surgery for benign lesions or missed opportunities of prophylactic surgery for potentially malignant PCLs. In the last decade, endoscopic innovations based on endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) imaging have emerged, aiming to overcome the present limitations. These new EUS-based technologies are contrast harmonic EUS, needle-based confocal endomicroscopy, through-the-needle cystoscopy and through-the needle intracystic biopsy. Here, we present a comprehensive and critical review of these emerging endoscopic tools for the diagnosis of PCLs, with a special emphasis on feasibility, safety and diagnostic performance.

It has been suggested that EUS-BD may be a feasible and safer alternative to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) after failed ERCP in patients with ascites. To date, no study has specifically evaluated the performance of EUS-BD in this context. Retrospective analysis was done for patients with and without ascites who underwent EUS-BD for malignant biliary obstruction after failed ERCP between July 2010 and September 2014. Complications and technical and clinical successes between the two groups were compared. A total of 31 patients were included: 20 patients without ascites (group 1) and 11 with ascites (group 2). Nineteen patients underwent EUS-hepaticogastrostomy (six in group 2), and 12 underwent EUS-choledochoduodenostomy (five in group 2). Technical success was achieved in all patients. Clinical success was observed in 95% (n = 19) in group 1 and 64% (n = 7) in group 2 (p = 0.042). In three out of four patients without clinical success in group 2, the follow-up period was not long enough to observe the clinical response because of early death within the 2 weeks after EUS-BD secondary to disease progression or preprocedural unresponsive sepsis. No significant differences were observed between groups 1 and 2 either in the overall rates of procedural-related complications (20 and 9%, respectively, p = 0.63) or in the rates of major complications (15 vs 9%, respectively, p = 0.639). Stent migration occurred in one patient in each group, intra- or post-procedural bleeding occurred in two patients in group 1, which was conservatively managed, and one patient in group 1 presented biliary leakage. Stent patency and the number of re-interventions were not significantly different. EUS-BD is technically feasible in patients with ascites. Our results suggest that EUS-BD may be a clinically effective and safe alternative after failed ERCP in patients with ascites.

Sugarcane bagasse, is one of the largest agriculture residues in the world and its chemical composition is interesting for several areas. Among one of the lipid components was found phytosterols. These are structurally and functionally similar to cholesterol, they are contributing to the reduction of cholesterol in the blood when consumed. Phytosterols were extracted with supercritical CO2 from sugarcane bagasse. In this work was evaluated the effect of temperature (40–80 °C), flowrate (6–10 ml min−1), pressure (200–400 bar) and co-solvent (0–10% ethanol) on extraction yield and phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol) concentration. The addition of co-solvent improves total phytosterols concentration at low pressure, but has no effect at high pressure. At optimal extraction conditions the yield was 0.92% and 0.300 mg total phytosterol g−1 dry material. The extract obtained presented a lipidic composition with possible cardiovascular health benefits due to phytosterols, policosanols and unsaturated fatty acids found.

Uma década após o surgimento do regionalismo pós-liberal, assistimos ao desmantelamento da UNASUL e ao enfraquecimento da ALBA. A partir da literatura latino-americana sobre politização nos processos de integração regional, este trabalho realiza uma análise em três etapas (fases de politização, despolitização e (re)politização) para examinar a dinâmica da ALBA e da UNASUL, enfatizando dois elementos: os interesses comuns dos governos e sua disposição de construir esquemas institucionais. O trabalho tenta verificar se os regimes pós-liberais são (re)politizados tão precariamente que correm o risco de entrar no ciclo usual de desgaste das iniciativas regionais latino-americanas.

The chemokine receptor CCR5 has been implicated in COVID-19. CCR5 and its ligands are overexpressed in patients. The pharmacological targeting of CCR5 would improve the COVID-19 severity. We sought to investigate the role of the CCR5-Δ32 variant (rs333) in COVID-19. The CCR5-Δ32 was genotyped in 801 patients (353 in the intensive care unit, ICU) and 660 healthy controls, and the deletion was significantly less frequent in hospitalysed COVID-19 than in healthy controls (p = 0.01, OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.49-0.88). Of note, we did not find homozygotes among the patients, compared to 1% of the controls. The CCR5 transcript was measured in leukocytes from 85 patients and 40 controls. We found a significantly higher expression of the CCR5 transcript among the patients, with significant difference when comparing the non-deletion carriers (controls = 35; patients = 81; p = 0.01). ICU-patients showed non-significantly higher expression than no-ICU cases. Our study points to CCR5 as a genetic marker for COVID-19. The pharmacological targeting of CCR5 should be a promising treatment for COVID-19.

Little information is available regarding the effect of dietary fibers added into edible coatings on quality attributes of ready-to-eat fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium alginate (AL) and chitosan (CH) edible coatings enriched with four different dietary fibers (apple fiber, orange fiber, inulin and oligofructose) on microbiological, nutritional, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of ready-to-eat fresh blueberries stored for 18 days at 5 °C.; Results: The most encouraging results were found for CH coatings (with and without fibers) which significantly inhibited the growth of mesophilic bacteria and yeasts/molds (reductions up to 1.9 log CFU g-1 ), reduced decay rate by more than 50%, enhanced antioxidant properties, retained fruit firmness, delayed off-odor development and improved overall visual quality of blueberries. Oligofructose and orange fiber added to CH coatings enhanced antioxidant properties of fruits and allowed higher reductions in yeast/mold counts compared to the use of CH alone. CH-based coatings enriched with inulin, oligofructose and apple fiber extended sensory shelf life of blueberries by 6 days. AL coatings (with and without fiber) allowed delaying fungal decay and also retaining antioxidant properties but did not improve the microbiological and sensory quality of fruits.; Conclusion: The results proved that fiber-enriched CH treatments allowed the maintenance of freshness and the improvement of the quality of ready-to-eat blueberries. It might be an interesting option to offer consumers a healthy product with prebiotic potential and an extended shelf life. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resumen: Al igual que en otras dictaduras del Cono Sur, durante la última dictadura militar argentina (1976-1983), las mujeres detenidas fueron víctimas de distintas formas de violencia sexual. Recién en los últimos años, luego de la reapertura de los juicios por delitos de lesa humanidad y con una cantidad considerable de resistencias, se empezó a considerar la posibilidad de juzgar la violencia sexual como un delito diferenciado de los tormentos. En el presente trabajo nos proponemos dar cuenta de los principales debates jurídicos en torno a la posibilidad de juzgar estos delitos y argumentaremos en favor de la posibilidad de dicho juzgamiento. Abstract: As in other dictatorships in the Southern Cone, during the last Argentine military dictatorship (1976-1983), the women detained were victims of different forms of sexual violence. Only in recent years, after the reopening of trials for crimes against humanity and with a considerable amount of resistance, the official organs began to consider the possibility of judging sexual violence as a crime differentiated from torture. In this paper we intend to give an account of the main legal debates about the possibility of judging these crimes and we will argue in favor of the possibility of such judgment. Resumo: Como em outras ditaduras do Cone Sul, durante a última ditadura militar argentina (1976-1983), as mulheres detidas foram vítimas de diferentes formas de violência sexual. Somente nos últimos anos, após a reabertura de julgamentos por crimes contra a humanidade e com considerável resistência, passou-se a considerar a possibilidade de julgar a violência sexual como um crime diferenciado da tortura. Neste artigo pretendemos dar conta dos principais debates jurídicos em torno da possibilidade de julgar esses crimes e vamos argumentar a favor da possibilidade de tal julgamento.

Durante los años ’60 y ’70, surgieron en Argentina numerosas organizaciones políticas que cuestionaron abiertamente el orden social capitalista y pusieron en práctica diversas estrategias para generar una alternativa a dicho orden social. En estas organizaciones la participación de las mujeres fue muy relevante, tanto por la cantidad de militantes como por el nivel de jerarquía alcanzado por algunas de ellas. Si bien sus organizaciones políticas no tenían reivindicaciones vinculadas a la modificación de las relaciones jerárquicas de género, las mujeres militantes cuestionaban, en la práctica, el lugar que la sociedad patriarcal les asignaba (Oberti, 2015). Como podremos ver en los testimonios recopilados para este trabajo, la vida cotidiana de las mujeres argentinas exiliadas se vio fuertemente sacudida por cuestiones relativas al género. Por otra parte, en el exilio, una vez que sus organizaciones habían sido ferozmente reprimidas y desarticuladas, en algunos casos, se dio un acercamiento a teorías y perspectivas políticas feministas. La desaparición o las rupturas de parejas, la maternidad, entre otras, fueron experiencias “femeninas” de vida muy profundas y frente a las cuales muchas debieron posicionarse, por primera vez, en el exilio. Este trabajo se propone dar cuenta de esta trayectoria a partir del análisis de testimonios orales de mujeres argentinas que estuvieron exiliadas.

Background & Aims Dye-based pancolonic chromoendoscopy is recommended for colorectal cancer surveillance in patients with Lynch syndrome. However, there is scarce evidence to support its superiority to high-definition white-light endoscopy. We performed a prospective study assess whether in the hands of high detecting colonoscopists, high-definition, white-light endoscopy is noninferior to pancolonic chromoendoscopy for detection of adenomas in patients with Lynch syndrome. Methods We conducted a parallel controlled study, from July 2016 through January 2018 at 14 centers in Spain of adults with pathogenic germline variants in mismatch repair genes (60% women; mean age, 47 ± 14 years) under surveillance. Patients were randomly assigned to groups that underwent high-definition white-light endoscopy (n = 128) or pancolonic chromoendoscopy (n = 128) evaluations by 24 colonoscopists who specialized in detection of colorectal lesions in high-risk patients for colorectal cancer. Adenoma detection rates (defined as the proportion of patients with at least 1 adenoma) were compared between groups, with a noninferiority margin (relative difference) of 15%. Results We found an important overlap of confidence intervals (CIs) and no significant difference in adenoma detection rates by pancolonic chromoendoscopy (34.4%; 95% CI 26.4%–43.3%) vs white-light endoscopy (28.1%; 95% CI 21.1%–36.4%; P = .28). However, pancolonic chromoendoscopy detected serrated lesions in a significantly higher proportion of patients (37.5%; 95% CI 29.5–46.1) than white-light endoscopy (23.4%; 95% CI 16.9–31.4; P = .01). However, there were no significant differences between groups in proportions of patients found to have serrated lesions of 5 mm or larger (9.4% vs 7.0%; P = .49), of proximal location (11.7% vs 10.2%; P = .68), or sessile serrated lesions (3.9% vs 5.5%; P = .55), respectively. Total procedure and withdrawal times with pancolonic chromoendoscopy (30.7 ± 12.8 minutes and 18.3 ± 7.6 minutes, respectively) were significantly longer than with white-light endoscopy (22.4 ± 8.7 minutes and 13.5 ± 5.6 minutes; P Conclusions In a randomized parallel trial, we found that for Lynch syndrome surveillance, high-definition white-light endoscopy is not inferior to pancolonic chromoendoscopy if performed by experienced and dedicated endoscopists. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT02951390.

We analyzed the frequency of intermediate alleles (IAs) in the ATXN1, ATXN2, and HTT genes in several neurodegenerative diseases. The study included 1126 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 440 patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 610 patients with Parkinson's disease. In all cohorts, we genotyped ATXN1 and ATXN2 CAG repeats. In addition, in the FTD cohort, we determined the number of HIT CAG repeats. The frequency of HIT IAs was higher in patients with FTD (6.9%) versus controls (2.9%) and in the C9orf72 expansion noncarriers (7.2%) versus controls (2.9%), although the difference was nonsignificant after correction for multiple testing. Compared with controls, progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA) groups showed a significantly higher frequency of HTT IAs (13.6% vs. 2.9% controls). For the ATXN2 gene, we observed an increase in IA frequency in AD cases (AD 4.1% vs. controls 1.8%) and in the behavioral FTD group (4.8% vs. 1.8%). For the ATXN1 gene, we found a significant increase of IAs in patients with PNFA (18.6%) versus controls (6.7%). In conclusion, our work suggests that the HTT and ATXN1 IAS may contribute to PNFA pathogenesis and point to a link between ATXN2 IAS and AD. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The prevalence of lactose intolerance, milk protein allergies, and the increasing vegan population have led to a growing demand for probiotic products based on non-conventional food matrices. In this study, the potential use of fresh blueberries as carriers of Lacticaseibacillus casei CECT 9104 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 incorporated into alginate-based prebiotic coatings was evaluated. Protective effect of inulin + oligofructose on probiotic viability, microbiological and sensory quality of fruits, and also, antagonistic effects of probiotics on co-inoculated E. coli O157:H7 and L. innocua were the main parameters studied along 14 days of refrigerated storage. A protective effect was observed since prebiotic enrichment allowed maintaining both L. casei and B. lactis viability above the minimum recommended levels (106 CFU/g) up to the end of storage, and therefore, ensuring their beneficial health action. Regarding safety issues, both probiotics exerted a biocontrol effect on inoculated L. innocua with reductions up to 2.31 log. Moreover, enrichment of blueberries with B. lactis through the application of prebiotic coatings maintained quality and sensory characteristics for 14 days at 5 °C. Thus, the development of functional blueberries coated with prebiotic-probiotic mixtures was achieved. These ready-to-eat fruits constitute novel, healthy and multifunctional alternatives of non-dairy probiotic foods that would allow meeting the current consumer demand.

The increased popularity of vegetarianism, lactose intolerance, and the high cholesterol content of dairy products are all factors that have recently increased the demand for non-dairy probiotic foods. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation of fresh-cut apple coated with alginate-prebiotic on its nutritional, safety, and sensory characteristics. Also, probiotic viability during refrigerated storage and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion (GID) was evaluated. A new non-dairy probiotic food was developed by adding prebiotics (oligofructose and inulin) and probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) to fresh-cut apple. Both probiotics successfully remained above 9.0 log CFU/g in the product after 8 days of storage. Also, high viability retention was achieved after GID with 7.8 and 8.0 log for L. rhamnosus and B. lactis, respectively, without significant effect of prebiotic addition. Microbiological and nutritional quality were maintained, however only those samples with prebiotics and B. lactis remained sensorially acceptable after 8 d. Furthermore, both probiotics exerted bactericidal effect against L. innocua inoculated on apple cubes with reductions higher than 1.8 log meanwhile, the effect on E. coli O157:H7 was less pronounced. Thereby, apple pieces coated with prebiotic-alginate solution constitute a promising alternative to design new carriers for probiotic bacteria.

Pulsed light (PL) treatments stand as an alternative for the shelf-life extension of fresh-cut products. The antimicrobial effects of PL are well known; however, its influence on quality attributes needs to be assessed. This study was aimed at evaluating the application of PL treatments in combination with pectin-based edible coatings enriched with dietary fiber for the preservation of fresh-cut apples. RESULTS Dipping of fresh-cut apples in ascorbic acid/calcium chloride solution prior to pectin coating and PL treatments was effective to minimize browning and softening of apple surfaces. Incorporation of fiber in the pectin coating did not cause any change in microbial loads and sensory acceptability of apple cubes. Pectin-coated PL-treated apple pieces exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity values than fresh and PL control samples. At the end of storage, the combination of both treatments resulted in an almost 2 log CFU g?1 reduction of microbial counts. Sensory attribute scores did not fall below the rejection limit throughout 14 days, although the presence of off-odors limited the acceptability of the pectin-coated samples. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that PL treatments applied to pectin-coated fresh-cut apples may be used to maintain quality attributes, thus conferring prebiotic potential and extending the shelf-life of the product. ? 2016 Society of Chemical Industry

Author(s): Perez-Is, Laura; Ocana, Marcos G; Montes, A Hugo; Carton, Jose A; Alvarez, Victoria; Meana, Alvaro; Fierer, Joshua; Valle-Garay, Eulalia; Asensi, Victor | Abstract: BACKGROUND:Osteomyelitis is a bone infection, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in which neutrophils play a key role. Cathepsin G (CTSG) is a bactericidal serine protease stored in the neutrophil azurophilic granules. CTSG regulates inflammation, activating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and coagulation. Lactoferrin (LF), a neutrophil glycoprotein, increases CTSG catalytic activity and induces inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyze a potential association between a CTSG gene polymorphism (Asn125Ser or N125S, rs45567233), that modifies CTSG activity, and could affect susceptibility to, or outcome of, bacterial osteomyelitis. METHODS:CTSG N125S polymorphism was genotyped in 329 osteomyelitis patients and 415 controls), Blood coagulation parameters, serum CTSG activity, LF, MMP-1, MMP-13, and soluble receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B ligand (sRANKL) levels were assessed in carriers of the different CTSG genotypes. RESULTS:CTSG N125S (AG) genotype was significantly more frequent among osteomyelitis patients than controls (15.5% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.014). CTSG N125S variant G allele (AG +GG) was also more frequent among osteomyelitis patients (8.1% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.01). Serum CTSG activity and LF levels were significantly higher in osteomyelitis patients carrying the G allele compared to those with the AA genotype, (pl0.04). Serum MMP-1 was lower in the G allele carriers (p = 0.01). There was no association between these genotypes and clinical characteristics of osteomyelitis, or coagulation parameters, MMP-13, and sRANKL serum levels. CONCLUSIONS:Differences in the CTSG gene might enhance osteomyelitis susceptibility by increasing CTSG activity and LF levels.

The detection rates of whole-body combined [

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of CAG repeats in the HTT gene. Intermediate alleles (IAs) are in the range of 27–35 repeats and have been associated to a normal phenotype. The aim of this work was to analyze the association between intermediate huntingtin CAG-repeat alleles (IAs) and neurodegenerative diseases, other than HD. We screened the HTT CAG repeats in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n = 1126), Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 610), and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) (n = 225). We also studied 509 healthy controls (HCs). The relative frequency of IAs for each group was 6.03% in AD, 5.3% in FTLD, 3.5% in PD, and 2.9% in HCs. The frequency of IA was significantly higher among patients with AD when compared to HCs (p = 0.011, OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.19–3.74); no significant difference was observed in FTLD (p = 0.17; OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 0.85–4.03) and PD (p = 0.69; OR = 1.21; 95% CI (0.61–2.37) versus HCs. No atypical symptoms or clinical features distinctive of HD were found among carriers of IAs. We found 3 cases with CAG expansions within the pathological range, one diagnosed with AD, one with PD, and one with FTD. Results suggest that IAs might have a role in the pathogenesis of AD. In addition, HD patients might be misdiagnosed with other neurodegenerative diseases, particularly when CAG repeats are in the lower pathological range.

This work reports on musculoskeletal uptake of 18F-FPRGD2, targeting the integrin αvβ3, in patients who had undergone 18F-FPRGD2 positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) for oncologic purposes. Whole-body 18F-FPRGD2 PET/CT images of 62 cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed to detect foci of musculoskeletal 18F-FPRGD2 uptake. For 37 patients, a FDG PET/CT performed in clinical settings was available. In each joint with an abnormal uptake, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was estimated. A total of 260 musculoskeletal foci of 18F-FPRGD2 uptake were detected. Most common sites of uptake were joints and discs (n = 160; 61.5 %), entheses (osteotendinous and osteoligamentous junctions; n = 55; 21.2 %) and recent fractures (n = 18; 6.9 %). In addition, 27 (10.4 %) miscellaneous foci were detected. Out of the 146 lesions for which a FDG PET was available, 63 % showed both 18F-FPRGD2 and FDG uptake, 33.6 % did not show FDG avidity and 3.4 % showed only FDG uptake. The uptake intensity of the 92 lesions positive with 18F-FPRGD2 and FDG was similar with both radiopharmaceuticals, but the target-to-background (blood pool or muscle) ratios were significantly higher with 18F-FPRGD2 than with FDG (p

Fil: Alvarez, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingenieria. Departamento de Ingenieria Quimica. Grupo de Investigacion en Ingenieria en Alimentos; Argentina