LIVIVO - The Search Portal for Life Sciences

zur deutschen Oberfläche wechseln
Advanced search

Search results

Result 1 - 10 of total 10

Search options

  1. Article: Prenatal Exome Sequencing Analysis in Fetuses with Various Ultrasound Findings.

    Borrell, Antoni / Ordoñez, Elena / Pauta, Montse / Otaño, Juan / Paz-Y-Miño, Fernanda / de Almeida, Mafalda / León, Miriam / Cirigliano, Vincenzo

    Journal of clinical medicine

    2023  Volume 13, Issue 1

    Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the use of Exome Sequencing (ES) for the detection of genome-wide Copy Number Variants (CNVs) and the frequency of SNVs-InDels in selected genes related to developmental disorders in a cohort of consecutive pregnancies undergoing ...

    Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the use of Exome Sequencing (ES) for the detection of genome-wide Copy Number Variants (CNVs) and the frequency of SNVs-InDels in selected genes related to developmental disorders in a cohort of consecutive pregnancies undergoing invasive diagnostic procedures for minor or simple ultrasound findings with no indication of ES.
    Methods: Women undergoing invasive diagnostic testing (chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis) for QF-PCR and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) due to prenatal ultrasound findings without an indication for ES were selected over a five-month period (May-September 2021). ES was performed to compare the efficiency of genome-wide CNV detection against CMA analysis and to detect monogenic disorders. Virtual gene panels were selected to target genes related to ultrasound findings and bioinformatic analysis was performed, prioritizing variants based on the corresponding HPO terms. The broad Fetal Gene panel for developmental disorders developed by the PAGE group was also included in the analysis.
    Results: A total of 59 out of 61 women consented to participate in this study. There were 36 isolated major fetal anomalies, 11 aneuploidy markers, 6 minor fetal anomalies, 4 multiple anomalies, and 2 other ultrasound signs. Following QF-PCR analysis, two uncultured samples were excluded from this study, and six (10%) common chromosome aneuploidies were detected. In the remaining 51 cases, no pathogenic CNVs were detected at CMA, nor were any pathogenic variants observed in gene panels only targeting the ultrasound indications. Two (3.9%) monogenic diseases, apparently unrelated to the fetal phenotype, were detected: blepharo-cheilo-odontic syndrome (spina bifida) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (pyelocaliceal dilation).
    Conclusions: In our series of pregnancies with ultrasound findings, common aneuploidies were the only chromosomal abnormalities present, which were detected in 10% of cases. ES CNV analysis was concordant with CMA results in all cases. No additional findings were provided by only targeting selected genes based on ultrasound findings. Broadening the analysis to a larger number of genes involved in fetal developmental disorders revealed monogenic diseases in 3.9% of cases, which, although apparently not directly related to the indications, were clinically relevant.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-28
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2662592-1
    ISSN 2077-0383
    ISSN 2077-0383
    DOI 10.3390/jcm13010181
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  2. Article ; Online: Not just fibrotic: endothelial-derived TGFβ maintains contractile function and lymphatic muscle phenotype during homeostasis.

    Carrillo Diaz de Leon, Miriam / Keane, Keith / Roizes, Simon / Liao, Shan / von der Weid, Pierre-Yves / Stephens, Matthew

    American journal of physiology. Cell physiology

    2023  Volume 326, Issue 1, Page(s) C269–C281

    Abstract: Cell-cell communication within the lymphatic vasculature during homeostasis is incompletely detailed. Although many discoveries highlight the pathological roles of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) in chronic vascular inflammation and associated ... ...

    Abstract Cell-cell communication within the lymphatic vasculature during homeostasis is incompletely detailed. Although many discoveries highlight the pathological roles of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) in chronic vascular inflammation and associated fibrosis, only a small amount is known surrounding the role of TGFβ-signaling in homeostatic lymphatic function. Here, we discovered that pharmacological blockade of TGFβ receptor 1 (TGFβR1) negatively impacts rat mesenteric lymphatic vessel pumping, significantly reducing vessel contractility and surrounding lymphatic muscle coverage. We have identified mesenteric lymphatic endothelial cells themselves as a source of endogenous vascular TGFβ and that TGFβ production is significantly increased in these cells via activation of a number of functional pattern recognition receptors they express. We show that a continuous supply of TGFβ is essential to maintain the contractile phenotype of neighboring lymphatic muscle cells and support this conclusion through in vitro analysis of primary isolated lymphatic muscle cells that undergo synthetic differentiation during 2-D cell culture, a phenomenon that could be effectively rescued by supplementation with recombinant TGFβ. Finally, we demonstrate that lymphatic endothelial production of TGFβ is regulated, in part, by nitric oxide in a manner we propose is essential to counteract the pathological over-production of TGFβ. Taken together, these data highlight the essential role of homeostatic TGFβ signaling in the maintenance of lymphatic vascular function and highlight possible deleterious consequences of its inhibition.
    MeSH term(s) Rats ; Animals ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism ; Lymphatic Vessels/metabolism ; Phenotype ; Muscles ; Fibrosis ; Homeostasis
    Chemical Substances Transforming Growth Factor beta
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-04
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 392098-7
    ISSN 1522-1563 ; 0363-6143
    ISSN (online) 1522-1563
    ISSN 0363-6143
    DOI 10.1152/ajpcell.00327.2023
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  3. Article: Distance tutoring: tutor's actions in the Doctoral Training Strategy in the time of COVID 19

    Diaz Quinones, Jose Aurelio / Iglesias Leon, Miriam / Valdes Gomez, Maria Lina

    Medisur-Revista De Ciencias Medicas De Cienfuegos

    Abstract: Foundation: during the epidemiological situation created by COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing was imposed as a protection measure, so it was necessary to implement distance tutoring in the Doctoral Training Strategy of the Cienfuegos University of ... ...

    Abstract Foundation: during the epidemiological situation created by COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing was imposed as a protection measure, so it was necessary to implement distance tutoring in the Doctoral Training Strategy of the Cienfuegos University of Medical Sciences Objective: to determine tutors' essential actions carried out online Methods: theoretical level methods such as synthetic analytical, deductive inductive, systematization and system approach were used, and observation, documentary analysis and triangulation at the empirical level Results: the tutor's essential actions for distance tutoring were specified, structured in a systemic way in the planning, execution and control stages in correspondence with the phases of the scientific research process The results obtained so far are shown in the research progress by areas of knowledge in which they are preparing for dissertation, writing of the written report, as well as the fulfillment of the minimum exam requirements and publication of scientific articles, all through the aforementioned actions online Conclusion: essential actions specified for the tutor, consolidated in the implemented proposal, have allowed continuing the training process in the Doctoral Strategy;There has been progress in the main aspects of the training process
    Keywords covid19
    Publisher WHO
    Document type Article
    Note WHO #Covidence: #608970
    Database COVID19

    Kategorien

  4. Article: Towards an Aspect-Oriented Design and Modelling Framework for Synthetic Biology.

    Boeing, Philipp / Leon, Miriam / Nesbeth, Darren N / Finkelstein, Anthony / Barnes, Chris P

    Processes (Basel, Switzerland)

    2018  Volume 6, Issue 9, Page(s) 167

    Abstract: Work on synthetic biology has largely used a component-based metaphor for system construction. While this paradigm has been successful for the construction of numerous systems, the incorporation of contextual design issues-either compositional, host or ... ...

    Abstract Work on synthetic biology has largely used a component-based metaphor for system construction. While this paradigm has been successful for the construction of numerous systems, the incorporation of contextual design issues-either compositional, host or environmental-will be key to realising more complex applications. Here, we present a design framework that radically steps away from a purely parts-based paradigm by using aspect-oriented software engineering concepts. We believe that the notion of
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-12-15
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2720994-5
    ISSN 2227-9717
    ISSN 2227-9717
    DOI 10.3390/pr6090167
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  5. Article ; Online: A computational method for the investigation of multistable systems and its application to genetic switches.

    Leon, Miriam / Woods, Mae L / Fedorec, Alex J H / Barnes, Chris P

    BMC systems biology

    2016  Volume 10, Issue 1, Page(s) 130

    Abstract: Background: Genetic switches exhibit multistability, form the basis of epigenetic memory, and are found in natural decision making systems, such as cell fate determination in developmental pathways. Synthetic genetic switches can be used for recording ... ...

    Abstract Background: Genetic switches exhibit multistability, form the basis of epigenetic memory, and are found in natural decision making systems, such as cell fate determination in developmental pathways. Synthetic genetic switches can be used for recording the presence of different environmental signals, for changing phenotype using synthetic inputs and as building blocks for higher-level sequential logic circuits. Understanding how multistable switches can be constructed and how they function within larger biological systems is therefore key to synthetic biology.
    Results: Here we present a new computational tool, called StabilityFinder, that takes advantage of sequential Monte Carlo methods to identify regions of parameter space capable of producing multistable behaviour, while handling uncertainty in biochemical rate constants and initial conditions. The algorithm works by clustering trajectories in phase space, and iteratively minimizing a distance metric. Here we examine a collection of models of genetic switches, ranging from the deterministic Gardner toggle switch to stochastic models containing different positive feedback connections. We uncover the design principles behind making bistable, tristable and quadristable switches, and find that rate of gene expression is a key parameter. We demonstrate the ability of the framework to examine more complex systems and examine the design principles of a three gene switch. Our framework allows us to relax the assumptions that are often used in genetic switch models and we show that more complex abstractions are still capable of multistable behaviour.
    Conclusions: Our results suggest many ways in which genetic switches can be enhanced and offer designs for the construction of novel switches. Our analysis also highlights subtle changes in correlation of experimentally tunable parameters that can lead to bifurcations in deterministic and stochastic systems. Overall we demonstrate that StabilityFinder will be a valuable tool in the future design and construction of novel gene networks.
    MeSH term(s) Computational Biology/methods ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Monte Carlo Method ; Stochastic Processes ; Synthetic Biology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-12-07
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ISSN 1752-0509
    ISSN (online) 1752-0509
    DOI 10.1186/s12918-016-0375-z
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  6. Article ; Online: A Statistical Approach Reveals Designs for the Most Robust Stochastic Gene Oscillators.

    Woods, Mae L / Leon, Miriam / Perez-Carrasco, Ruben / Barnes, Chris P

    ACS synthetic biology

    2016  Volume 5, Issue 6, Page(s) 459–470

    Abstract: The engineering of transcriptional networks presents many challenges due to the inherent uncertainty in the system structure, changing cellular context, and stochasticity in the governing dynamics. One approach to address these problems is to design and ... ...

    Abstract The engineering of transcriptional networks presents many challenges due to the inherent uncertainty in the system structure, changing cellular context, and stochasticity in the governing dynamics. One approach to address these problems is to design and build systems that can function across a range of conditions; that is they are robust to uncertainty in their constituent components. Here we examine the parametric robustness landscape of transcriptional oscillators, which underlie many important processes such as circadian rhythms and the cell cycle, plus also serve as a model for the engineering of complex and emergent phenomena. The central questions that we address are: Can we build genetic oscillators that are more robust than those already constructed? Can we make genetic oscillators arbitrarily robust? These questions are technically challenging due to the large model and parameter spaces that must be efficiently explored. Here we use a measure of robustness that coincides with the Bayesian model evidence, combined with an efficient Monte Carlo method to traverse model space and concentrate on regions of high robustness, which enables the accurate evaluation of the relative robustness of gene network models governed by stochastic dynamics. We report the most robust two and three gene oscillator systems, plus examine how the number of interactions, the presence of autoregulation, and degradation of mRNA and protein affects the frequency, amplitude, and robustness of transcriptional oscillators. We also find that there is a limit to parametric robustness, beyond which there is nothing to be gained by adding additional feedback. Importantly, we provide predictions on new oscillator systems that can be constructed to verify the theory and advance design and modeling approaches to systems and synthetic biology.
    MeSH term(s) Bayes Theorem ; Cell Cycle/genetics ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics ; Computer Simulation ; Gene Regulatory Networks/genetics ; Genetic Engineering/methods ; Models, Genetic ; Monte Carlo Method ; Proteins/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Research Design/statistics & numerical data ; Stochastic Processes ; Synthetic Biology/methods
    Chemical Substances Proteins ; RNA, Messenger
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-02-17
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ISSN 2161-5063
    ISSN (online) 2161-5063
    DOI 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00179
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  7. Article ; Online: Reducing harm caused by substance use in adolescents.

    Souza, Renato / de Leon, Miriam

    Lancet (London, England)

    2007  Volume 369, Issue 9580, Page(s) 2157–2158

    MeSH term(s) Adolescent ; Homeless Youth/statistics & numerical data ; Honduras ; Humans ; Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control ; Substance-Related Disorders/therapy
    Language English
    Publishing date 2007-06-30
    Publishing country England
    Document type Comment ; Letter
    ZDB-ID 3306-6
    ISSN 1474-547X ; 0023-7507 ; 0140-6736
    ISSN (online) 1474-547X
    ISSN 0023-7507 ; 0140-6736
    DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61006-X
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  8. Article: Formación doctoral en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos utilizando las vías no presenciales, en tiempos de la COVID-19/ Doctoral training at the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos using distance learning methods, in the days of COVID-19

    Iglesias León, Miriam / Mur Villar, Norma / Cortés Cortés, Manuel / Díaz Quiñones, José Aurelio / San Juan Bosch, Maria Aurelia

    Medisur

    Abstract: RESUMEN Fundamento: la necesidad de elevar el potencial científico de los profesionales de la salud en la provincia de Cienfuegos es un imperativo de estos tiempos. Para lograr este propósito se requiere de una Estrategia de Formación Doctoral coordinada, ...

    Abstract RESUMEN Fundamento: la necesidad de elevar el potencial científico de los profesionales de la salud en la provincia de Cienfuegos es un imperativo de estos tiempos. Para lograr este propósito se requiere de una Estrategia de Formación Doctoral coordinada, flexible y que pueda adecuarse a las condiciones que tiene actualmente el contexto de la salud pública en tiempos de pandemia. Objetivo: describir a la comunidad científica los resultados que se obtienen en la formación doctoral en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos utilizando las vías no presenciales para las actividades formativas de carácter científico en tiempos de la pandemia COVID-19. Métodos: se utiliza como método de investigación la sistematización y se expresan los avances científicos de los doctorandos. Resultados: se evidenció que las vías utilizadas originan un amplio abanico de posibilidades en los procesos de enseñanza/aprendizaje como artefactos tecnológicos de producción científica con elevado potencial comunicativo e interactivo. Conclusiones: se corroboró la posibilidad de mantener la formación doctoral en tiempos de pandemia.
    Keywords covid19
    Publisher WHO
    Document type Article
    Note WHO #Covidence: #608965
    Database COVID19

    Kategorien

  9. Article ; Online: Immune response and histology of humoral rejection in kidney transplantation.

    González-Molina, Miguel / Ruiz-Esteban, Pedro / Caballero, Abelardo / Burgos, Dolores / Cabello, Mercedes / Leon, Miriam / Fuentes, Laura / Hernandez, Domingo

    Nefrologia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia

    2016  Volume 36, Issue 4, Page(s) 354–367

    Abstract: The adaptive immune response forms the basis of allograft rejection. Its weapons are direct cellular cytotoxicity, identified from the beginning of organ transplantation, and/or antibodies, limited to hyperacute rejection by preformed antibodies and not ... ...

    Abstract The adaptive immune response forms the basis of allograft rejection. Its weapons are direct cellular cytotoxicity, identified from the beginning of organ transplantation, and/or antibodies, limited to hyperacute rejection by preformed antibodies and not as an allogenic response. This resulted in allogenic response being thought for decades to have just a cellular origin. But the experimental studies by Gorer demonstrating tissue damage in allografts due to antibodies secreted by B lymphocytes activated against polymorphic molecules were disregarded. The special coexistence of binding and unbinding between antibodies and antigens of the endothelial cell membranes has been the cause of the delay in demonstrating the humoral allogenic response. The endothelium, the target tissue of antibodies, has a high turnover, and antigen-antibody binding is non-covalent. If endothelial cells are attacked by the humoral response, immunoglobulins are rapidly removed from their surface by shedding and/or internalization, as well as degrading the components of the complement system by the action of MCP, DAF and CD59. Thus, the presence of complement proteins in the membrane of endothelial cells is transient. In fact, the acute form of antibody-mediated rejection was not demonstrated until C4d complement fragment deposition was identified, which is the only component that binds covalently to endothelial cells. This review examines the relationship between humoral immune response and the types of acute and chronic histological lesion shown on biopsy of the transplanted organ.
    Language Spanish
    Publishing date 2016-07
    Publishing country Spain
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 632512-9
    ISSN 1989-2284 ; 0211-6995
    ISSN (online) 1989-2284
    ISSN 0211-6995
    DOI 10.1016/j.nefro.2016.03.023
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  10. Article ; Online: Use of a rapid test on umbilical cord blood to screen for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in pregnant women in Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, and Mexico.

    Sosa-Estani, Sergio / Gamboa-León, Miriam Rubi / Del Cid-Lemus, Jaime / Althabe, Fernando / Alger, Jackeline / Almendares, Olivia / Cafferata, María L / Chippaux, Jean-Philippe / Dumonteil, Eric / Gibbons, Luz / Padilla-Raygoza, Nicolás / Schneider, Dominique / Belizán, José M / Buekens, Pierre

    The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene

    2008  Volume 79, Issue 5, Page(s) 755–759

    Abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional study of Chagas disease in five endemic areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, and México to estimate the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi-specific antibodies in pregnant women, and to assess the use of a rapid test (Chagas ... ...

    Abstract We conducted a cross-sectional study of Chagas disease in five endemic areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, and México to estimate the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi-specific antibodies in pregnant women, and to assess the use of a rapid test (Chagas Stat-Pak) to screen for T. cruzi infection at the time of delivery. The prevalence of antibodies to T. cruzi measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in maternal blood was 5.5% (a range of 0.8-28.8% among the countries) in 2,495 women enrolled. Compared with ELISA in maternal blood samples, the Chagas Stat-Pak rapid test sensitivity and specificity in umbilical cord blood were 94.6% and 99.0%, respectively. These results show the ability for a rapid determination of the presence of T. cruzi-specific antibodies in umbilical cord blood as a pragmatic strategy to screen for infection in pregnant women.
    MeSH term(s) Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/blood ; Argentina/epidemiology ; Bolivia/epidemiology ; Chagas Disease/diagnosis ; Chagas Disease/epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endemic Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fetal Blood/parasitology ; Honduras/epidemiology ; Humans ; Mexico/epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/diagnosis ; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/epidemiology ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trypanosoma cruzi/immunology
    Chemical Substances Antibodies, Protozoan ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
    Language English
    Publishing date 2008-11
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2942-7
    ISSN 1476-1645 ; 0002-9637
    ISSN (online) 1476-1645
    ISSN 0002-9637
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

To top