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Purpose: To study ocular surface signs, symptoms, and tear film composition following prophylactic thermal pulsation therapy (TPT) prior to refractive surgery, and to compare these outcomes with those who underwent TPT after refractive surgery. Methods: Patients with mild?to?moderate evaporative dry eye disease (DED) and/or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) undergoing refractive surgery were included. Group 1 patients received TPT (LipiFlow) prior to laser?assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK; n = 32, 64 eyes), and Group 2 patients received TPT three months after LASIK (n = 27, 52 eyes). Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, Schirmer’s test (ST1, ST2), Tear Breakup Time (TBUT), meibography, and tear fluid were obtained preoperatively and at three months postoperatively in Groups 1 and 2. Additional postoperative evaluation was performed three months after TPT in Group 2. Tear soluble factor profile was measured by multiplex enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using flow cytometry. Results: Postoperative OSDI score was significantly lower and TBUT was significantly higher when compared with matched preoperative values of Group 1 participants. On the other hand, the postoperative OSDI score was significantly higher and TBUT significantly lower when compared with matched preoperative values of Group 2 participants. TPT significantly reduced the postoperative elevation in OSDI and significantly reduced the postoperative reduction in TBUT in Group 2 participants. Tear Matrix metalloproteinase?9/ Tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP?9/TIMP1) ratio was significantly higher, postoperatively, when compared with matched preoperative levels in Group 2. However, MMP9/TIMP1 ratio remained unaltered in Group 1 participants. Conclusion: TPT prior to refractive surgery improved postsurgical ocular surface signs and symptoms and reduced tear inflammatory factors, thereby suggesting the plausibility of reduced post?refractive surgery DED in patients.
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Multimedia, being more attention?getting and attention?holding, is a powerful tool for mass awareness creation and is used for intervention among students in many studies. Our aim was to see the effectiveness of an educational short film in tobacco awareness generation and to compare it with the traditional lecture?based awareness. Selected schools were divided into two groups as per convenience. Short film was used as intervention in Group 1 and PowerPoint?based lecture in Group 2. The increase in awareness was assessed by a pre and posttest. On analysis, though both methods increased awareness as given by higher posttest score, it is found that the awareness levels showed a statistically significant difference between educational short film on hazards of tobacco and power point?based lecture using Mann–Whitney test. Our study proves that an educational short film carefully scripted and picturized can be used effectively in imparting awareness in school?based tobacco control programs.
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Colorectal cancer is a one of the leading causes of death globally and its clinical management of cancer involves chemotherapy. Increase in the development of resistance to the drugs used in the cancer treatment and serious side effects associated with chemotherapeutic drugs are the major limitations in cancer therapy. Hence, there exists a huge need to develop safer natural therapeutic products for cancer therapy. In this study, ethanolic extract of Stoechospermum marginatum was evaluated for its anticancer activity. The cytotoxicity of S. marginatum extract was evaluated on HT-29 cells by MTT assay. Trypan blue cell viability was also carried out to evaluate cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect. The apoptosis-inducing potential of the extract was analyzed by acridine orange and ethidium bromide dual staining method, mitochondrial membrane potential assay and FITC Annexin V-Propidium iodide staining method. The ethanolic extract of S. marginatum showed significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells Treatment with S. marginatum extract increased number of apoptotic cells in HT-29 cells and caused damage to mitochondrial membrane potential. The findings of the present study confirmed in vitro anticancer activity of ethanolic extract S. Marginatum
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Background@#There are limited studies comparing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures between different direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Using a network meta-analysis (NMA), we compared osteoporotic fractures among 5 different treatment arms, viz. dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and VKA. @*Methods@#Ten studies, including 5 randomized control trials and 5 population-based studies, with a total of 321,844 patients (148,751 and 173,093 in the VKA and DOAC group, respectively) with a median follow-up of 2 years, were included. A Bayesian random-effects NMA model comparing fractures among the treatment arms was performed using MetInsight V3. Sensitivity analysis excluded studies with the highest residual deviances from the NMA model. @*Results@#The mean age of the patients was 70 years. The meta-analysis favored DOACs over VKA with significantly lower osteoporotic fracture (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.70-0.86). The NMA demonstrated that fractures were significantly lower with apixaban compared with dabigatran (OR, 0.64; 95% CrI, 0.44-0.95); however, fractures were statistically similar between apixaban and rivaroxaban (OR, 0.84; 95% CrI, 0.58-1.24) and dabigatran and rivaroxaban (OR, 1.32; 95% CrI, 0.90-1.87). Based on the Bayesian model of NMA, the probability of osteoporotic fracture was highest with VKA and lowest with apixaban, followed by rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran. @*Conclusions@#The decision to prescribe anticoagulants in elderly patients with AF should be made not only based on thrombotic and bleeding risks but also on the risk of osteoporotic fracture; these factors should be considered and incorporated in contemporary cardiology practice.
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Background@#There are limited studies comparing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures between different direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Using a network meta-analysis (NMA), we compared osteoporotic fractures among 5 different treatment arms, viz. dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and VKA. @*Methods@#Ten studies, including 5 randomized control trials and 5 population-based studies, with a total of 321,844 patients (148,751 and 173,093 in the VKA and DOAC group, respectively) with a median follow-up of 2 years, were included. A Bayesian random-effects NMA model comparing fractures among the treatment arms was performed using MetInsight V3. Sensitivity analysis excluded studies with the highest residual deviances from the NMA model. @*Results@#The mean age of the patients was 70 years. The meta-analysis favored DOACs over VKA with significantly lower osteoporotic fracture (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.70-0.86). The NMA demonstrated that fractures were significantly lower with apixaban compared with dabigatran (OR, 0.64; 95% CrI, 0.44-0.95); however, fractures were statistically similar between apixaban and rivaroxaban (OR, 0.84; 95% CrI, 0.58-1.24) and dabigatran and rivaroxaban (OR, 1.32; 95% CrI, 0.90-1.87). Based on the Bayesian model of NMA, the probability of osteoporotic fracture was highest with VKA and lowest with apixaban, followed by rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran. @*Conclusions@#The decision to prescribe anticoagulants in elderly patients with AF should be made not only based on thrombotic and bleeding risks but also on the risk of osteoporotic fracture; these factors should be considered and incorporated in contemporary cardiology practice.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging new viral pathogen that causessevere respiratory disease. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.As there are no confirmed antiviral drugs or vaccines currently available for the treatment of COVID-19,discovering potent inhibitors or vaccines are urgently required for the benefit of humanity. The glycosylatedSpike protein (S-protein) directly interacts with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptorthrough the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S-protein. As the S-protein is exposed to the surface and isessential for entry into the host, the S-protein can be considered as a first-line therapeutic target for antiviraltherapy and vaccine development. In silico screening, docking, and molecular dynamics simulation studieswere performed to identify repurposing drugs using DrugBank and PubChem library against the RBD ofS-protein. The study identified a laxative drug, Bisoxatin (DB09219), which is used for the treatment ofconstipation and preparation of the colon for surgical procedures. It binds nicely at the S-protein–ACE2interface by making substantial p-p interactions with Tyr505 in the ‘Site 1’ hook region of RBD andhydrophilic interactions with Glu406, Ser494, and Thr500. Bisoxatin consistently binds to the proteinthroughout the 100 ns simulation. Taken together, we propose that the discovered molecule, Bisoxatin may bea promising repurposable drug molecule to develop new chemical libraries for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 entryinto the host.
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Background: Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the leading cause of diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Although, Rotavirus vaccine has been introduced in 2017 in states like Tamil Nadu, there are reports of the role of Rotavirus as one of high disease burden agents with genetic variants arising, especially from low-income countries like India.Methods: Authors evaluated stool samples from 507 children with acute gastroenteritis Rotavirus A among the hospitalized children (>5 years) to provide baseline information on changing profile in this state. The stool samples were collected and screened for Rotaviral Antigen by Enzyme Immuno Assay and use of semi-multiplex RT PCR technique was conceded out in order to conclude the P and G genotypes of human rotavirus in rotavirus-positive samples from January 2014 to December 2016 in and around Chennai, India.Results: Of 507 samples collected 213 (42.01%) were positive for rotavirus antigen by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). The maximum positivity (75%) was in the age group of one to two years. Rotavirus positives were subjected to further VP7 and VP4 molecular characterization and the predominant genotypes identified were G9P[4] followed by G9P[8], G1P[8], G3P[8], G2P[4] and mixed types of G2G9 with P[4] and G4P[6][11] with few untypable strains.Conclusions: This study had demonstrated the Rota Virus Gastro Enteritis (RVGE) is a common disease affecting the pediatric population and G9P[4], G9P[8] circulating types among the gastroenteritis cases reported in the city and its suburban area. This study in comparison to previous ones shows that the dominant serotypes and circulating genotypes changes from time to time within country. The results have reemphasized the need of rotavirus vaccines with broad serotype coverage which may help in decreasing the disease burden in this region of the country.
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We present an autopsy case of a 19 year old male admitted for breathlessness and oliguria. He was diabetic since 7 years of age and was on insulin. Patient was on testosterone and anti hypertensives. He was diagnosed of hypocontractile bladder and congenital bilateral megaureter with vesico-ureteric reflux 2 years back. History of hemiparesis 2 years back. CT scan of the brain showed a right fronto- parietal healed infarct. At autopsy, bilateral kidneys showed coarse granularity and scarring. Pelvicalyceal system and both ureters were dilated. A right sided intrabdominal testes was identified. On histology, kidney showed features of diabetic nephropathy and pancreas showed decreased number of islet cells. Correlating the clinical, laboratory and autopsy parameters, our case satisfies the EURO-WABB criteria (1major+2minor) for diagnosis of Wolfram Syndrome, even though genetic confirmation could not be done.
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Background: Immunization is one of the most cost-effective interventions averting countless childhood deaths and protecting millions of children from disability and illness. The objective of the current study was to assess the immunization coverage and associated factors among children aged 12-23 months and 5-7 years in Paravur Taluk of Ernakulam district, Kerala. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was done. Cluster sampling method of WHO was used for evaluation of immunization coverage.300 children in the age group of 12–23 months and 300 children in the age group 5-7 years were selected from each of the 30 clusters. Crude coverage details for each vaccine were estimated using percentages. Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of immunization coverage. Results: Among the children 12-23 months old, eleven (3.7%) children were partially immunized, while everybody had received at least one vaccine. The proportion of children fully immunized was 96.3%. Among the children 5-7 years old 55 (18.3%) were partially immunized. Belonging to Muslim religion, fathers’ occupation i.e. who were labourers/unskilled workers, mother’s education less than 12th standard and not possessing the mother and child protection card were found to be factors associated with partial immunization. Conclusions: This study shows that full immunization has not reached all children.
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Purpose: To study the trends in collection, storage and utilization of donor corneas in eye banks in India. Methods: The data was collected from 12 eye banks in India that collected more than 1000 corneas per year. The retrospective analysis of the parameters like characteristics of the donor and the host, storage media used, number of eyes collected, number of eyes utilized, causes of non-utilization of the tissue and the procedures performed was done. Results: A total of 20,564 eyes were collected by the 12 eye banks during the year 2013–2014. Voluntary eye donation (VED), and hospital cornea retrieval program (HCRP) contributed to 59.6% and 40.4% of tissue procurement respectively. Whole globe enucleation (52.3%) was more commonly performed as compared to in-situ excision of the donor corneas. The most commonly used storage media at all eye banks was McCarey-Kaufman (MK) media (83.3%). The utilization rate of the donor eyes was 50.5%. The most frequent indication for corneal transplantation was infection (active infection - 33.13%, healed infection - 10.78%) followed by Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) (13.57%). Full thickness keratoplasty (optical penetrating keratoplasty - 47.23%, therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty - 31.74%) was performed most often followed by endothelial keratoplasty (12.41%) in the developing country. Conclusion: VED still contributes to majority of the donor tissue retrieval in India. The majority of the eye banks still utilize whole globe enucleation technique and store tissues in MK media. Trends from previous years showed a change towards HCRP, in-situ excision technique and preservation in the long-term storage media.
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Objective: Diet-inducedhyperlipidemia and obesity are the major risk factors for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders (CVD). The objective of the present study is to furnish scientific proof for the lipid-lowering effect of β-glucan, a lead compound present in barley with a defined mechanism of action. Methods: Obesity was induced in male albino Wistar rats by feeding ahigh-fat diet (HFD) for 14 w and were randomly divided into four groups of equal number (n=6). Group 1 and 2 served as control fed with normal diet (5% fat). Group 3 and 4 were fed HFD (23%fat) for 14 w. In addition, group 2 and 4 rats were administered orally with 200 mg/kg body weight of barley β glucan (BRBG) from the third week. After 14 w, the rats were sacrificed, and serum/plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), phospholipids, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and adiponectin were determined. Results: Biochemical changes were observed in weight gain, body mass index (BMI),adiposity index (ADI), total fat pad mass (TFP), blood lipids, LDL, lipid peroxides (LPO) and antioxidant enzyme activity of HFD fed rats when compared with BRBG co-administered rats. In addition, serum adiponectin levels and 3-hydroxy-3methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme Areductase(HMG CoA reductase)activity were elevated in rats administered BRBG along with HFD. Histological examination in HFD induced rats revealed a profound change in cell size with increased hypertrophy in visceral adipose tissue. Conclusions: The results indicate that barley consumption could reverse most of these biochemical and histological changes in HFD fed rats owing to its hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect.
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Statement of problem : fracture of endodontically treated teeth is reduced by the use of a post with ferrule, but the effect of different ferrule configurations and dowel materials is not clear. Purpose: to evaluate the effect of ferrules with different configurations and heights on the stress of endodontically treated teeth restored with three different post and dowel materials. Materials and Methods: fifteen models of maxillary central incisors restored with porcelain fused to metal crowns were obtained using pro engineer software. the models were divided into three groups, each consisting of five models with ferrule heights of 0mm, 2mm, 4mm, 2mm with oblique fracture, 4mm with oblique fracture, the models under group GFR were restored with fiberglass reinforced post (GFR) and composite core build-up, group NiCr with a custom cast post metal alloy (NiCr), and group Zr with zirconia post (Zr) and composite core build-up. an oblique load of 100N and 150N at an angle of 135 degrees was applied to the palatal surface of the tooth, a vertical load of 100N and 150N at an angle of 90 degrees was applied to the incisal tip of the tooth. The maximum principal stress and the von mises stress was calculated for the remaining tooth structure and post apex using the finite element analysis (FEA) software. Results: the maximum von misses stress was observed in the apex of the post (p<0.05). Group Zr showed the highest mean stress (6.39Mpa) followed by group NiCr (5.65Mpa). There was a significant difference between post and between NiCr and Zr post for 2mm and 4mm ferrule height, while for 0mm ferrule there was a significant difference between the GFR and NiCr groups (p<0.05). Under oblique load, the maximum mean stress was observed in remaining tooth structures while for vertical load, it was observed at the apex of the post. Regarding ferrule heights, there were significant differences between 0mm-2mm, and 0mm-4mm uniform ferrule in post apex in the case of NiCr posts (p<0.05). Absence of ferrule resulted in higher stress for the NiCr group. Conclusion: higher loads that led to fracture were observed only at the apex of the post. Zirconia posts (group Zr) had higher fracture loads, whereas absence of ferrule resulted in higher fracture load with custom cast posts (group NiCr). Fracture thresholds were high on the remaining tooth structure for all the dowel systems especially for composite core build up irrespective of ferrule height and configuration. Clinical implications: appropriate selection of post and dowel materials in different configurations of ferrule heights ensures clinical success.
Indicación del problema: la fractura de los dientes tratados endodónticamente se reduce mediante el uso de un poste con férula, pero el efecto de diferentes configuraciones de férula y materiales de clavija no está claro. Propósito: evaluar el efecto de los casquillos con diferentes configuraciones y alturas sobre el estrés de los dientes tratados endodónticamente restaurados con tres materiales diferentes de postes y tacos. materiales y métodos: quince modelos de incisivos centrales superiores restaurados con porcelana fundida a coronas de metal se obtuvieron con el software Pro Engineer. Los modelos se dividieron en tres grupos, cada uno de los cuales consta de cinco modelos con alturas de casquillo de 0mm, 2mm, 4mm, 2mm con fractura oblicua, 4mm con fractura oblicua. los modelos del grupo GFR fueron restaurados con poste reforzado con fibra de vidrio (GFR) y acumulación de núcleo compuesto, grupo nicr con una aleación de metal de poste fundido personalizado (NiCr) y grupo Zr con poste de zirconia (Zr) y acumulación de núcleo compuesto. se aplicó una carga oblicua de 100N y 150N en un ángulo de 135º a la superficie palatina del diente. se aplicó una carga vertical de 100N y 150N en un ángulo de 90º a la punta incisal del diente. la tensión principal máxima y la tensión de von mises se calcularon para la estructura dental restante y después del vértice utilizando el software de análisis de elementos finitos (FEA). Resultados: el estrés máximo de von falta se observó en el vértice de la publicación (p<0.05). El grupo Zr mostró el mayor estrés medio (6.39Mpa) seguido del grupo NiCr (5.65Mpa). Hubo una diferencia significativa entre la publicación NiCr y Zr para la altura de la férula de 2mm y 4mm, mientras que para la férula de 0mm hubo una diferencia significativa entre los grupos GFR y NiCr (p<0,05), bajo la carga oblicua, la tensión media máxima en las estructuras dentales restantes, mientras que para la carga vertical, se observó en el vértice del poste. En cuanto a las alturas de la férula, hubo diferencias significativas entre la férula uniforme de 0mm-2mm y de 0mm-4mm en el post-apex en el caso de los postes de NiCr (p<0.05), la ausencia de férula dio como resultado un mayor estrés para el grupo NiCr. Conclusión: las cargas más altas que llevaron a la fractura se observaron solo en el vértice del poste; Los postes de zirconia (grupo Zr) tuvieron mayores cargas de fractura, mientras que la ausencia de férula dio como resultado una mayor carga de fractura con postes moldeados personalizados (NiCr de grupo). Los umbrales de fractura fueron altos en la estructura dental restante para todos los sistemas de clavijas, especialmente para la acumulación de núcleos compuestos independientemente de la altura y configuración de la férula. Implicaciones clínicas: la selección adecuada de materiales de postes y tacos en diferentes configuraciones de alturas de férulas asegura el éxito clínico.
Subject(s)
Humans , Post and Core Technique/instrumentation , Dental Stress Analysis/methods , Incisor/physiology , Models, Biological , Stress, Mechanical , Tooth Fractures , Computer Simulation , Dental Prosthesis Design , Computer-Aided Design , Dental Materials/chemistry , Maxilla/physiologyABSTRACT
Background: Congenital malformations (CMs) represent a major cause of admission in most of the NICU all over the world.They represent a defect in the morphogenesis during early fetal life. With the advances in delivery and newborn care, CMshave emerged as one of the most common causes of perinatal mortality.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of CMs among neonates in a teaching hospital.Materials and Methods: The retrospective study of live neonates from newborn to 28 days of age both inborn and outbornadmitted to the unit irrespective of their general condition with CMs comprised the study population. Details of investigations likeultrasonography, radiology, echocardiography, laboratory studies have done were noted from the case record. Their outcomein the form of morbidity, hospital stay, and mortality was analyzed.Results: In 2132 babies, with malformations were 87 (4.08%). Of which inborn babies were 3.9% and outborn babies were 4.8%.Of the malformed babies were 54% of male and 45% of female, 1% was DSD. Cesarean delivery was 63.2%, other modes were36.8%. The cardiovascular system was involved in 35.6% of babies, followed by the musculoskeletal system (26.4%), then thegenitourinary system 13.8%, gastrointestinal (9.2%), and central nervous system (10.3%). Maternal risk factors associated withmalformations were maternal diabetes in 2.3%, age between 21 and 30 in 87.4%, and consanguinity in 8%. Maximum mortalityoccurred in babies with cardiovascular system malformations (76.5%). Majority of babies with malformations discharged (65.5%)only 19.5% of babies expired and 15% of babies were referred for intervention at a higher center.Conclusions: CMs represent one of the causes of neonatal mortality. Health-care managers must stress on primary preventionin the form of good antenatal care, nutrition, and drugs to decrease the preventable share of CMs. Early detection and timelymanagement are required to decrease mortality
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Corneal cross-linking (CXL), introduced by Wollensak et al. in 2003, is a minimally invasive procedure to halt the progression of keratoconus. Conventional CXL is recommended in eyes with corneal thickness of at least 400 microns after de-epithelialization to prevent endothelial toxicity. However, most of the keratoconic corneas requiring CXL may not fulfill this preoperative inclusion criterion. Moderate-to-advanced cases are often found to have a pachymetry less than this threshold. There are various modifications to the conventional method to circumvent this issue of CXL thin corneas while avoiding the possible complications. This review is an update on the modifications of conventional CXL for thin corneas.
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The role of the microbiome in health and human disease has emerged at the forefront of medicine in the 21st century. Over the last 2 decades evidence has emerged to suggest that inflammation-derived oxidative damage and cytokine induced toxicity may play a significant role in the neuronal damage associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines and T cell infiltration has been observed in the brain parenchyma of patients with PD. Furthermore, evidence for inflammatory changes has been reported in the enteric nervous system, the vagus nerve branches and glial cells. The presence of α-synuclein deposits in the post-mortem brain biopsy in patients with PD has further substantiated the role of inflammation in PD. It has been suggested that the α-synuclein misfolding might begin in the gut and spread “prion like” via the vagus nerve into lower brainstem and ultimately to the midbrain; this is known as the Braak hypothesis. It is noteworthy that the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation, dysphagia, and hypersalivation), altered gut microbiota and leaky gut have been observed in PD patients several years prior to the clinical onset of the disease. These clinical observations have been supported by in vitro studies in mice as well, demonstrating the role of genetic (α-synuclein overexpression) and environmental (gut dysbiosis) factors in the pathogenesis of PD. The restoration of the gut microbiome in patients with PD may alter the clinical progression of PD and this alteration can be accomplished by carefully designed studies using customized probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Biopsy , Brain , Brain Stem , Cytokines , Deglutition Disorders , Dysbiosis , Enteric Nervous System , Fecal Microbiota Transplantation , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , In Vitro Techniques , Inflammation , Mesencephalon , Microbiota , Neuroglia , Neurons , Parkinson Disease , Probiotics , Vagus NerveABSTRACT
Risk factors for hypertension consist of lifestyle and genetic factors. Family history and twin studies have yielded heritability estimates of BP in the range of 34-67%. The most recent paper of BP GWAS has explained about 20% of the population variation of BP. An overestimation of heritability may have occurred in twin studies due to violations of shared environment assumptions, poor phenotyping practices in control cohorts, failure to account for epistasis, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, and other non-genetic sources of phenotype modulation that are suspected to lead to underestimations of heritability in GWAS. The recommendations of hypertension guidelines in major countries consist of the following elements: weight reduction, a healthy diet, dietary sodium reduction, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption. The hypertension guidelines are mostly the same for each country or region, beyond race and culture. In this review, we summarize gene-environmental interactions associated with hypertension by describing lifestyle modifications according to the hypertension guidelines. In the era of precision medicine, clinicians who are responsible for hypertension management should consider the gene-environment interactions along with the appropriate lifestyle components toward the prevention and treatment of hypertension. We briefly reviewed the interaction of genetic and environmental factors along the constituent elements of hypertension guidelines, but a sufficient amount of evidence has not yet accumulated, and the results of genetic factors often differed in each study.
Subject(s)
Humans , Gene-Environment Interaction , Hypertension , Epidemiology , Genetics , Therapeutics , Life Style , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Precision Medicine , Reference Standards , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
ABSTRACT We studied the role of Thermus thermophilus Recombinase A (RecA) in enhancing the PCR signals of DNA viruses such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The RecA gene of a thermophilic eubacterial strain, T. thermophilus, was cloned and hyperexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant RecA protein was purified using a single heat treatment step without the use of any chromatography steps, and the purified protein (>95%) was found to be active. The purified RecA could enhance the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) signals of HBV and improve the detection limit of the HBV diagnosis by real time PCR. The yield of recombinant RecA was ∼35 mg/L, the highest yield reported for a recombinant RecA to date. RecA can be successfully employed to enhance detection sensitivity for the diagnosis of DNA viruses such as HBV, and this methodology could be particularly useful for clinical samples with HBV viral loads of less than 10 IU/mL, which is interesting and novel.