Search

Background: Neonatal health assessment is crucial for detecting and intervening in various disorders. Traditional gene expression analysis methods often require invasive procedures during sample collection, which may not be feasible or ideal for preterm infants. In recent years, saliva has emerged as a promising noninvasive biofluid for assessing gene expression. Another trend that has been growing is the use of " omics " technologies such as transcriptomics in the analysis of gene expression. The costs for carrying out these analyses and the difficulty of analysis make the detection of candidate genes necessary. These genes act as biomarkers for the maturation stages of the oral feeding issue., Methodology: Salivary samples (n = 225) were prospectively collected from 45 preterm (<34 gestational age) infants from five predefined feeding stages and submitted to RT-qPCR. A better description of the targeted genes and results from RT-qPCR analyses were included. The six genes previously identified as predictive of feeding success were tested. The genes are AMPK , FOXP2 , WNT3 , NPHP4 , NPY2R , and PLXNA1 , along with two reference genes: GAPDH and 18S . RT-qPCR amplification enabled the analysis of the gene expression of AMPK , FOXP2 , WNT3 , NPHP4 , NPY2R , and PLXNA1 in neonatal saliva. Expression results were correlated with the feeding status during sample collection., Conclusions: In summary, the genes AMPK , FOXP2 , WNT3 , NPHP4 , NPY2R , and PLXNA1 play critical roles in regulating oral feeding and the development of premature infants. Understanding the influence of these genes can provide valuable insights for improving nutritional care and support the development of these vulnerable babies. Evidence suggests that saliva-based gene expression analysis in newborns holds great promise for early detection and monitoring of disease and understanding developmental processes. More research and standardization of protocols are needed to fully explore the potential of saliva as a noninvasive biomarker in neonatal care.

Background: Diagnosing imprinting defects in neonates and young children presents challenges, often necessitating molecular analysis for a conclusive diagnosis. The isolation of genetic material from oral swabs becomes crucial, especially in settings where blood sample collection is impractical or for vulnerable populations like newborns, who possess limited blood volumes and are often too fragile for invasive procedures. Oral swab samples emerge as an excellent source of DNA, effectively overcoming obstacles associated with rare diseases., Methods: In our study, we specifically addressed the determination of the quality and quantity of DNA extracted from oral swab samples using NaCl procedures., Results: We compared these results with extractions performed using a commercial kit. Subsequently, the obtained material underwent MS-HRM analysis for loci associated with imprinting diseases such as Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes., Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the significance of oral swab samples as a reliable source for obtaining DNA for MS-HRM analysis. NaCl extraction stands out as a practical and cost-effective method for genetic studies, contributing to a molecular diagnosis that proves particularly beneficial for patients facing delays in characterization, ultimately influencing their treatment.

In maritime settings, effective communication between vessels and land infrastructure is crucial, but existing technologies often prove impractical for energy-sensitive IoT applications, like deploying sensors at sea. In this study, we explore the viability of a low-power, cost-effective wireless communication solution for maritime sensing data. Specifically, we conduct an experimental assessment of the Azorean Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) coverage. Our tests involve positioning the gateway at the island's highest point and installing end nodes on medium-sized fishing vessels. Through measurements of received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and lines of sight (LOS), we showcase the potential of LoRaWAN transmissions to achieve communication distances exceeding 130 km in a LOS-free scenario over the ocean. These findings highlight the promising capabilities of LoRaWAN for reliable and long-range maritime communication of sensing data.