Phenotypic plasticity in adults of Anticarsia gemmatalis exposed to sub-doses of Bt-based bioinsecticide / Plasticidade fenotípica morfométrica em adultos de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, 1818 expostos a subdoses de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1911

Anticarsia gemmatalis Hünber, 1818 is one of the main defoliating species in the soybean crop. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915, is a bacterium used in the biological control of this pest species. Resistant populations and their sublethal effects caused by the use of the bacteria have already been reported; however, there are no studies on phenotypic plasticity in adulthood exposed to Bt-based bioinsecticide sub-doses. This study aimed to evaluate the morphometry of A. gemmatalis adults under laboratory conditions submitted to the Bt-based bioinsecticide Dipel® over the three generations. The body segments mensuread were width, length, and area of the anterior and posterior wings, the weight of the integument, chest, abdomen, wings, and the whole adult of males and females. Among the treatments, LC5 in the first generation and LC10 in the second generation were those with lower thresholds in relation to the weight of the chest and abdomen, considering the proportions of the body smaller than the females. The female's weight adulthood was reduced by 10% about males, and, only in the first generation. Males have larger body size and more pronounced phenotypic plasticity than females. Here, we demonstrate the first study assessing the phenotypic plasticity of A. gemmatalis adults.

Anticarsia gemmatalis Hünber, 1818 é uma das principais espécies desfolhadoras da cultura da soja. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915, é uma bactéria utilizada no controle biológico dessa espécie de praga. Populações resistentes e seus efeitos subletais causados pelo uso da bactéria já foram relatados, no entanto, não há estudos sobre a plasticidade fenotípica na idade adulta exposta a subdoses de bioinseticida à base de Bt. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a morfometria de adultos de A. gemmatalis em condições de laboratório submetidos ao bioinseticida Dipel® ao longo de três gerações. Os segmentos corporais mensuráveis eram largura, comprimento e área das asas anterior e posterior, o peso do tegumento, tórax, abdômen, asas e todo o adulto de machos e fêmeas. Dentre os tratamentos, CL5 na primeira geração e CL10 na segunda geração foram aqueles com limiares mais baixos em relação ao peso do tórax e abdômen, considerando as proporções do corpo menores que as do sexo feminino. O peso da fêmea na idade adulta foi reduzido em 10% em relação aos machos e, apenas na primeira geração. Os machos têm tamanho corporal maior e plasticidade fenotípica mais pronunciada do que as fêmeas. Este estudo demonstra o primeiro estudo avaliando a plasticidade fenotípica de adultos de A. gemmatalis.

Macular dystrophies associated with Stargardt-like phenotypes / Distrofias maculares associadas a fenótipos Stargardt-like

ABSTRACT Purpose: Stargardt-like phenotype has been described as associated with pathogenic variants besides the ABCA4 gene. This study aimed to describe four cases with retinal appearance of Stargardt disease phenotypes and unexpected molecular findings. Methods: This report reviewed medical records of four patients with macular dystrophy and clinical features of Stargardt disease. Ophthalmic examination, fundus imaging, and next-generation sequencing were performed to evaluate pathogenic variants related to the phenotypes. Results: Patients presented macular atrophy and pigmentary changes suggesting Stargardt disease. The phenotypes of the two patients were associated with autosomal dominant inheritance pattern genes (RIMS1 and CRX) and in the other two patients were associated with recessive dominant inheritance pattern genes (CRB1 and RDH12) with variants predicted to be pathogenic. Conclusion: Macular dystrophies may have phenotypic similarities to Stargardt-like phenotype associated with other genes besides the classic ones.

RESUMO Objetivo: Fenótipos Stargardt-like já foram asso-ciados a variantes patogênicas no gene ABCA4. O propósito desse estudo é descrever quatro pacientes com achados retinianos semelhantes a doença de Stargardt com resultados moleculares diferentes do esperado. Métodos: Esse relato fez a revisão de prontuários médicos de quatro pacientes com distrofia macular e achados clínicos sugestivos de doença de Stargardt. Foram realizados avaliação oftalmológica, exames de imagens e testes usando next generation sequencing para avaliar variantes patogênicas associadas aos fenótipos dos pacientes. Resultados: Os pacientes apresentavam atrofia macular e alterações pigmentares sugerindo achados clínicos de doença de Stargardt. Dois pacientes foram associados a genes com herança autossômica dominante (RIMS1 e CRX) e dois pacientes foram associados a genes com herança autossômica recessiva (CRB1 e RDH12) com variantes preditoras de serem patogênicas. Conclusão: Distrofias maculares podem ter similaridades fenotípicas com fenótipo de Stargardt-like associados a outros genes além dos classicamente já descritos.

Association of dietary patterns and body phenotypes in Brazilian adolescents / Associação entre padrões alimentares e fenótipos corporais em adolescentes brasileiros

Abstract Objectives: to investigate the association between dietary patterns, physical activity, and body phenotypes in adolescents. Methods: this school-based cross-sectional study involved 1,022 adolescents aged ten to 19 years. Dietary patterns and body phenotypes were defined using a principal component analysis. Body phenotype was defined using anthropometry, body composition, biochemistry, sexual maturation, and dietary patterns from 19 food groups, using a food frequency questionnaire. The association between the dietary patterns and body phenotypes was assessed using a linear regression model. Results: five body phenotypes (BP1adiposity, BP2puberty, BP3biochemical, BP4muscular, BP5lipids_biochemical) and five dietary patterns (DP1ultraprocessed_foods, DP2fresh_foods, DP3bread_rice_beans, DP4culinary_preparations, DP5cakes_rice_beans) were identified. There were higher BP_adiposity scores for obese adolescents, but energy expenditure was similar for obese and non-obese adolescents. Physical activity was positively associated with BMI, BP_adiposity, and BP_puberty. We observed a negative association between DP_ultraprocessed_foods and BMI, and a positive association between DP_fresh_food. DP_fresh_foods was positively associated with BP_adiposity; DP_ultraprocessed_foods and DP_culinary_preparations were negatively associated with this phenotype. BP_biochemical was negatively associated with DP_fresh_foods. Conclusion: we identified a negative association between a dietary pattern composed mainly of ultra-processed foods, fresh foods, and BP_adiposity. These associations need to be better explored, especially in adolescents, as both dietary patterns and phenotypes were defined using multivariate analysis.

Resumo Objetivos: investigar associação entre padrão alimentar (PA), atividade física (AF) e fenótipos corporais (FC) em adolescentes. Métodos: estudo transversal de base escolar com 1.022 adolescentes de dez a 19 anos. Padrão alimentar e fenótipo corporal foram definidos por meio da análise de componentes principais. O fenótipo corporal foi definido usando antropometria, composição corporal, bioquímica e maturação sexual, e padrão alimentar a partir de 19 grupos de alimentos de um questionário de frequência alimentar. A associação entre padrão alimentar e fenótipo corporal foi avaliada por modelo de regressão linear. Resultados: foram identificados cinco fenótipos corporais (FC1adiposidade, FC2puberdade, FC3bioquímico, FC4muscular, FC5lipídios_bioquímico) e cinco padrões alimentares (PA1alimentos_ultraprocessados, PA2alimentos_frescos, PA3pão_arroz_feijão, PA4preparações_culinárias, PA5bolos_arroz_feijão). Há maiores escores de FC_adiposidade para adolescentes com obesidade, mas o gasto energético foi semelhante para adolescentes com e sem diagnóstico de obesidade. Atividade física associou-se positivamente com IMC, FC_adiposidade e FC_puberdade. Observamos associação negativa entre PA_ultraprocessados e IMC, e positiva entre PA_alimentos_frescos. PA_alimentos_frescos associou-se positivamente com FC_adiposidade; PA_ultraprocessados e PA_preparações_culinárias se associaram negativamente a este fenótipo. FC_bioquímico associou-se negativamente com PA_alimentos_frescos. Conclusão: identificamos associação negativa entre padrão alimentar composto principalmente por alimentos ultraprocessados e alimentos in natura e FC_adiposidade. Essas associações devem ser exploradas com o mesmo público em estudos futuros, principalmente em adolescentes, pois tanto o padrão alimentar quanto o fenótipo foram definidos por meio de análise multivariada.

Phenotypic plasticity in adults of Anticarsia gemmatalis exposed to sub-doses of Bt-based bioinsecticide

Abstract Anticarsia gemmatalis Hünber, 1818 is one of the main defoliating species in the soybean crop. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915, is a bacterium used in the biological control of this pest species. Resistant populations and their sublethal effects caused by the use of the bacteria have already been reported; however, there are no studies on phenotypic plasticity in adulthood exposed to Bt-based bioinsecticide sub-doses. This study aimed to evaluate the morphometry of A. gemmatalis adults under laboratory conditions submitted to the Bt-based bioinsecticide Dipel® over the three generations. The body segments mensuread were width, length, and area of the anterior and posterior wings, the weight of the integument, chest, abdomen, wings, and the whole adult of males and females. Among the treatments, LC5 in the first generation and LC10 in the second generation were those with lower thresholds in relation to the weight of the chest and abdomen, considering the proportions of the body smaller than the females. The females weight adulthood was reduced by 10% about males, and, only in the first generation. Males have larger body size and more pronounced phenotypic plasticity than females. Here, we demonstrate the first study assessing the phenotypic plasticity of A. gemmatalis adults.

Resumo Anticarsia gemmatalis Hünber, 1818 é uma das principais espécies desfolhadoras da cultura da soja. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915, é uma bactéria utilizada no controle biológico dessa espécie de praga. Populações resistentes e seus efeitos subletais causados pelo uso da bactéria já foram relatados, no entanto, não há estudos sobre a plasticidade fenotípica na idade adulta exposta a subdoses de bioinseticida à base de Bt. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a morfometria de adultos de A. gemmatalis em condições de laboratório submetidos ao bioinseticida Dipel® ao longo de três gerações. Os segmentos corporais mensuráveis eram largura, comprimento e área das asas anterior e posterior, o peso do tegumento, tórax, abdômen, asas e todo o adulto de machos e fêmeas. Dentre os tratamentos, CL5 na primeira geração e CL10 na segunda geração foram aqueles com limiares mais baixos em relação ao peso do tórax e abdômen, considerando as proporções do corpo menores que as do sexo feminino. O peso da fêmea na idade adulta foi reduzido em 10% em relação aos machos e, apenas na primeira geração. Os machos têm tamanho corporal maior e plasticidade fenotípica mais pronunciada do que as fêmeas. Este estudo demonstra o primeiro estudo avaliando a plasticidade fenotípica de adultos de A. gemmatalis.

Relación entre biometría fetal, producto de acumulación de los lípidos y condición trófica al nacer / Relationship between fetal biometry, lipid accumulation product and the trophic condition at birth

Fundamento: Las alteraciones del estado nutricional materno generalmente se relacionan con desviaciones del crecimiento fetal, que pueden detectarse por los parámetros biofísicos fetales e identifican la posible condición trófica al nacer. Objetivo: Determinar la posible relación entre los parámetros biométricos fetales, la condición trófica al nacer y el producto de acumulación de los lípidos. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio transversal en el Policlínico Chiqui Gómez Lubian del municipio Santa Clara, durante el año 2019, en una población de 253 gestantes normopeso supuestamente sanas al inicio de la gestación. La muestra no probabilística fue de 144 gestantes. Las variables de estudio fueron: producto de acumulación de los lípidos, biometría fetal y condición trófica al nacer. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos. Resultados: En el segundo trimestre ningún parámetro biométrico coincidió con la condición al nacer de pequeño, mientras que para el grande coincidieron las circunferencias cefálica y abdominal. En el tercer trimestre la longitud del fémur y la circunferencia abdominal coinciden en la identificación del pequeño y del grande. El PAL se correlacionó con la circunferencia abdominal del tercer trimestre y con el peso al nacer; presentando mayor frecuencia de valores en el tercer tertil para los nacimientos grandes. Conclusiones: La circunferencia abdominal fue el parámetro biométrico con mayor coincidencia con la condición trófica al nacer, la que se asoció con valores en el tercer tertil del PAL para la detección de nacimientos grandes, relacionándose el fenotipo normopeso metabólicamente obeso con el crecimiento fetal por exceso.

Background: Maternal nutritional status disorders are usually related to fetal growth deviations, which can be detected by fetal biophysical parameters and identify the possible trophic condition at birth. Objective: To determine the possible relationship between fetal biometric parameters, the birth trophic state and lipid accumulation product. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Chiqui Gómez Lubian Polyclinic in Santa Clara municipality, during 2019, in a population of 253 normal-weight pregnant women who were apparently healthy at the beginning of their gestation. The non-probability sample was made up of 144 pregnant women. Study variables were: lipid accumulation product, fetal biometry and trophic condition at birth. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were used. Results: In the second trimester, none of the biometric parameters matched the condition at birth as a small child, while in the large one the head and abdominal circumferences matched. In the third trimester, femoral length and abdominal circumference coincide in identifying the small one and the large one. LAP correlated with third trimester abdominal circumference and birth weight, presenting higher frequency of values in the third tertile for large births. Conclusions: Abdominal circumference was the biometric parameter with the highest coincidence with trophic condition at birth, associated with values in the third tertile of the LAP for detecting large births, relating the metabolically obese normal weight phenotype with excessive fetal growth.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Colombian clinical isolates of Sporothrix spp

Introduction. For over a century, Sporothrix schenckii was considered the sole species responsible for sporotrichosis. In 2007, scientific community confirmed the disease could be caused by various Sporothrix species. These species differed in their virulence factors and their antifungal sensitivity. Objective. This study aims to characterize 42 Colombian clinical isolates of Sporothrix spp. phenotypically and genotypically. Material and methods. Forty-two clinical isolates were characterized using phenotypic methods. It involved various culture media to determine their growth range at different temperatures and to assess the type and distribution of pigment and colony texture. Microscopic morphology was evaluated through microcultures, as well as the conidia diameter, type of sporulation, and morphology. Additionally, the assimilation of carbohydrates was selected as a physiological trait for species identification. Genotyping of 40 isolates was performed through partial amplification of the calmodulin gene, followed by sequence analysis. Results. Molecular studies enabled the identification of 32 isolates of S. schenckii and 8 isolates of S. globosa. The combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods eased these species characterizations and the recognition keys development based on parameters such as growth diameter at 25 and 30 °C, colony texture (membranous or velvety) on potato dextrose agar, and microscopic morphology with predominance of pigmented triangular, elongated oval globose, or subglobose conidia. Conclusions. Confirmation of the phenotypic characteristics and molecular analysis is crucial for identifying Sporothrix species and determining adequate treatment. This study represents the first phenotypical and genotypical characterization of clinical isolates of Sporothrix spp. reported in Colombia.

Introducción. Por más de un siglo se creyó que Sporothrix schenckii era la única especie responsable de la esporotricosis. Sin embargo, en el 2007, se consideró que podría ser causada por diferentes especies de Sporothrix, que difieren en sus factores de virulencia y su sensibilidad a los antifúngicos. Objetivo. Caracterizar fenotípica y genotípicamente 42 aislamientos clínicos colombianos de Sporothrix spp. Materiales y métodos. Se caracterizaron 42 aislamientos clínicos mediante métodos fenotípicos. Se usaron varios medios de cultivo para determinar el rango de crecimiento a diferentes temperaturas, el tipo y la distribución del pigmento, y la textura de las colonias. Se evaluó la morfología microscópica por microcultivos mediante la determinación del diámetro, el tipo de esporulación y la morfología de las conidias. La asimilación de carbohidratos se usó como una característica fisiológica para identificar las especies. La genotipificación de los 40 aislamientos se llevó a cabo mediante la amplificación parcial del gen que codifica para la calmodulina y se confirmó por secuenciación. Resultados. Mediante estudios moleculares, se identificaron 32 aislamientos de S. schenckii y ocho de S. globosa. La combinación de métodos fenotípicos y genotípicos permitió caracterizar las especies y construir claves para su reconocimiento, con base en parámetros como el diámetro de crecimiento a 25 y 30 °C, la textura de las colonias (membranosa, aterciopelada) en agar papa dextrosa y la morfología microscópica con predominio de conidias (triangulares pigmentadas, ovales globosas elongadas, subglobosas). Conclusiones. La caracterización fenotípica y los análisis moleculares son necesarios para identificar las especies de Sporothrix y, de esta forma, elegir el tratamiento indicado. Esta es la primera caracterización fenotípica y genotípica reportada de aislamientos clínicos colombianos de Sporothrix spp.

Phenotyping of clinically significant blood group antigens among the South Indian donor population

ABSTRACT Introduction: Data on the prevalence of clinically significant antigens (Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, MNSs, Lewis, P and Lutheran) among the Indian donor population is sparse. Objective: This prospective study was aimed at determining the prevalence of 21 clinically significant antigens for the first time in the South Indian donor population. Method: A total of 672 regular O group blood donors were enrolled for Rh (C, c, E, e) and Kell (K) antigens typing. Of these, 188 donors were typed for other clinically significant antigens (k, Kpa, Kpb, Jka, Jkb, Fya, Fyb, M, N, S, s, P1, Lea, Leb, Lua and Lub). Results: Antigen frequencies were expressed in percentages. In our study, R1R1 and rr were the most common phenotypes among D+ and D− donors, respectively. Among the Rh antigens, the e antigen was expressed by 97.5% and 100% of D+ and D− donors, respectively. The K antigen was found in only 0.15% of donors. In the Duffy and Kidd blood group system, Fy (a+b+) and Jk (a+b+) were the most frequent phenotypes, respectively. In the MNSs blood group system, M+N+ and S−s+ were the most common phenotypes reported. The Le (a−b+) was found to be the phenotype with the highest prevalence in the Lewis blood group system. The Lu (a−b+) was the only phenotype found in the Lutheran blood group system. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding the prevalence of antigens in a given population is essential in developing cost-effective in-house panels and a rare donor registry comprising donors typed negative for a high-frequency antigen or a combination of common multiple antigens.

Next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing and phenotype correlation in retinitis pigmentosa patients from India

Purpose: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD) are a heterogeneous group of retinal diseases leading to progressive loss of photoreceptors through apoptosis. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is considered the most common form of IRD. Panel?based testing in RP has proven effective in identifying the causative genetic mutations in 70% and 80% of the patients. This is a retrospective, observational, single?center study of 107 RP patients who had undergone next?generation sequencing?based targeted gene panel testing for IRD genes. These patients were inspected for common phenotypic features to arrive at meaningful genotype–phenotype correlation. Methods: Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, and blood was collected from the proband for DNA extraction after documenting the pedigree. Targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) was done by panel?based testing for IRD genes followed by co?segregation analysis wherever applicable. Results: Of the 107 patients, 72 patients had pathogenic mutations. The mean age of onset of symptoms was 14 ± 12 years (range: 5–55). Mean (Best Corrected Visual Acuity) BCVA was 6/48 (0.9 logMAR) (range 0.0–3.0). At presentation, over one?third of eyes had BCVA worse than 6/60 (<1 logMAR). Phenotype analysis with the gene defects showed overlapping features, such as peripheral well?defined chorioretinal atrophic patches in patients with CERKL, PROM1, and RPE65 gene mutations and large macular lesions in patients with RDH12 and CRX gene mutations, respectively. Nummular or clump?like pigmentation was noted in CRB1, TTC8, PDE6A, and PDE6B. Conclusion: NGS?based genetic testing can help clinicians to diagnose RP more accurately, and phenotypic correlations can also help in better patient counselling with respect to prognosis and guidance regarding ongoing newer gene?based therapies.

Infección por SARS-CoV-2 y grupos sanguíneos en pacientes cubanos diagnosticados con la COVID-19

Introducción: Diferentes estudios han propuesto la relación entre los grupos sanguíneos del sistema ABO y la susceptibilidad a la COVID-19 y su importancia en el curso de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia fenotípica de grupos sanguíneos ABO y RhD en un grupo de pacientes con infección activa por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y caso control en el Hospital Docente Clínico Quirúrgico "Freyre Andrade" de La Habana, para determinar la frecuencia fenotípica ABO y RhD en un grupo de pacientes con enfermedad activa por la COVID-19. Se estudiaron 928 muestras de sangre de pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 y 1050 muestras pertenecientes a individuos sanos como grupo control. El grupo sanguíneo ABO y RhD se determinó por método de aglutinación en tubo con sueros hemoclasificadores anti-A, anti-B, anti-A+B, yanti-D. Los resultados fueron expresados en frecuencias absolutas y relativas y se determinó la asociación del grupo sanguíneo con la gravedad de la enfermedad por medio de la prueba no paramétrica de χ2 con un nivel de significación de p ≤ 0,05. Resultados: Se observó predominio del fenotipo O (49,24 %) seguido del A (35,79 %), B (12,68 %) y AB (2,27 %) respectivamente. Los fenotipos O y B presentaron significación estadística para la ocurrencia de la COVID-19, con valores de p < 0,05. No se encontró significación estadística en cuanto al predominio de un fenotipo particular y la necesidad de cuidados intensivos. Conclusiones: La relación del grupo sanguíneo ABO en la infectividad por SARS-CoV-2 y la gravedad de la enfermedad por la COVID-19 requiere estudios adicionales ya que los actuales no son concluyentes.

Introduction: Different studies have proposed the relationship between the blood groups of ABO system and the susceptibility to COVID-19 and its importance in the course of the disease. Objective: To determine the phenotypic frequency of ABO and RhD blood groups in a group of patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted to determine the ABO and RhD phenotypic frequency in a group of patients with COVID-19 active disease. Nine hundred twenty eight blood samples and 1050 samples belonging to healthy individuals as control group were studied. The ABO and RhD blood group was determined by the tube agglutination method with anti-A, anti-B, anti-A+B, and anti-D blood classifying sera. The results were expressed in absolute and relative frequencies and the association of the blood group with the severity of the disease was determined by the non-parametric χ2 test with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: A predominance of phenotype O (49.24%) was observed, followed by A (35.79%), B (12.68%) and AB (2.27%) respectively. The O and B phenotypes showed statistical significance for the occurrence of COVID-19, with p values < 0.05. No statistical significance was found regarding the prevalence of a particular phenotype and the need for intensive care. Conclusions: The relationship of the ABO blood group in the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of the disease by COVID-19 requires additional studies, since the current ones are not conclusive.

Fenotipos hipertrigliceridemia e hipertensión-cintura abdominal alterada y su asociación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres atendidas en Consulta Provincial de Climaterio

Fundamento: la presencia de fenotipos hipertensión- circunferencia abdominal aumentada se considera un índice pronóstico de deterioro cardiometabólico. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de mujeres con fenotipos cintura alterada y establecer la asociación entre estos y los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular, así como estimar el riesgo cardiovascular global a los 10 años. Métodos estudio descriptivo, correlacional, transversal, que incluyó a 100 mujeres que asistieron a Consulta Provincial de Climaterio, del Hospital Gustavo Aldereguìa, de Cienfuegos, desde marzo 2016 a 2020. Variables analizadas: edad, color de piel, tabaquismo, hipertensión arterial, obesidad, actividad física, diabetes mellitus, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia abdominal, colesterol total, ácido úrico y triglicéridos. Se determinó la razón de prevalencia con un nivel de significación del 95 %. Resultados: la razón de probabilidad demostró mayor riesgo de presentar el fenotipo en mayores de 45 años (1,47), obesas (5,57), hipertensas (3,71) y diabéticas (1,67). Se evidenció asociación significativa entre hábito de fumar y actividad física con razón de probabilidad de 5,80 y 18 respectivamente. Conclusiones: existe una relación significativa entre fenotipos cintura abdominal alterada y los principales factores de riesgo cardiovasculares, como incremento de la edad, riesgo cardiovascular, diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial, tabaquismo, inactividad física y obesidad.

Background: the presence of hypertension-increased abdominal circumference phenotypes is considered a cardiometabolic deterioration prognostic index. Objective: to determine the frequency of women with altered waist phenotypes and to establish the association between these and the main cardiovascular risk factors, as well as to estimate the global cardiovascular risk at 10 years. Methods: descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study, which included 100 women who attended the Provincial Climacteric Consultation, at the Gustavo Aldereguía Lima Cienfuegos Hospital, from March 2016 to 2020. The analyzed variables were: age, skin color, smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity, physical activity, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, abdominal circumference, total cholesterol, uric acid, and triglycerides. The prevalence ratio was determined with a significance level of 95%. Results: the likelihood ratio showed a higher risk of presenting the phenotype in people over 45 years of age (1.47), obese (5.57), hypertensive (3.71) and diabetic (1.67). A significant association was found between smoking and physical activity with a probability ratio of 5.80 and 18, respectively. Conclusions: there is a significant relationship between altered abdominal waist phenotypes and the main cardiovascular risk factors, such as increased age, cardiovascular risk, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.

Evaluation and prognostic significance of tumor budding in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the prognostic importance of Tumor budding (TB) in Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas(PDAC) and its correlation with histopathological findings according to the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference(ITBCC) grading. Material and Methods: A total of 75 patients diagnosed with PDAC were included in this study. The demographic features of the cases (age, sex) and the macroscopic features of the tumors (localization,size) were obtained from the electronic archive system. All Hematoxylin-Eosin-stained sections were re-evaluated in terms of differentiation, presence of lymphovascular (LVI) and perineural invasion(PNI), surgical margin positivity, primary tumor(pT), lymph node metastasis(LNM) and tumor budding. Statistically, Chi-square test, cox-regression and Kaplan-Meier test were performed. Results:Thirty four of the cases were female and 41 were male. The mean age was 64.21±9.71years. The degree of TB was TB-few in 17 cases, TB-moderate in 25cases, and TB-high in 33cases. LVI, PNI, LNM and TB-high were poor prognostic factors. Moreover, TB-high was related with poor differantiation,LVI,PNI,LNM and short survival time. Tumor budding was independent negative prognostic factor in multivariable model analyzes. Conclusion: ITBCC scoring can also be used in PDACs. In addition, high tumor budding was a poor prognostic feature and might be a target for tumor-specific treatments as it could be a predictive finding for the locally invasive character of the tumor. Evaluation and grading of TB thought to represent EMT may be a histological feature that can be used in tumor selection for advanced molecular methods to identify subtypes that may be associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance.

Patrón inflamatorio de las vías aéreas en pacientes fumadores con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Inflammatory pattern of the airways in COPD smokers

Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica cursa con un patrón inflamatorio en la vía aérea que incluye neutrófilos, macrófagos, linfocitos, los cuales se pueden obtener mediante un cepillado bronquial citológico. Objetivos: Identificar patrón inflamatorio según células inflamatorias presentes en la vía aérea, mediante el cepillado bronquial citológico e índice tabáquico de paquetes/año en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, que concurrieron al Hospital Neumológico Benéfico-Jurídico, en el período comprendido de junio de 2018 a junio de 2019, con indicación para la realización de fibrobroncoscopía con cepillado bronquial. Resultados: El 53,1 por ciento de los pacientes corresponden al sexo masculino. Un 46,1 por ciento presentó un índice tabáquico de paquetes/año entre 21-40. Predominaron las criptas y estrías como hallazgos broncoscópicos con un 51 por ciento y 40,8 por ciento respectivamente en pacientes con índice paquetes/año mayor que 40. De los pacientes con índice paquetes/año mayor de 40 (13 para un 26,5 por ciento) presentaron hiperplasia de células basales. El 46,9 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron un patrón inflamatorio neutrofílica. Conclusiones: Se identificaron a los pacientes con EPOC que presentaron patrón inflamatorio neutrofílica en la vía aérea y elevado índice tabáquico y desde el punto de vista broncoscópico tienen varios hallazgos que sugieren cronicidad(AU)

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents with an inflammatory pattern in the airway that includes neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes, which can be obtained by cytological bronchial brushing. Objectives: To identify inflammatory pattern according to inflammatory cells present in the airway, through cytological bronchial brushing and smoking rate of packs/year in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who attended Benefico-Jurídico Pneumological Hospital, from June 2018 to June 2019, with an indication for fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial brushing. Results: 53.1percent of the patients correspond to the male sex. 46.1percent ad a smoking rate of packs/year between 21-40. Crypts and striae predominated as bronchoscopic findings with 51percent and 40.8percent respectively in patients with a pack/year index greater than 40. Patients with a pack/year index greater than 40 (13 for 26.5percent) showed basal cell hyperplasia. 46.9percent of the patients had a neutrophilic inflammatory pattern. Conclusions: Patients with COPD who had a neutrophilic inflammatory pattern in the airway and high smoking index were identified, and from the bronchoscopic point of view they have several findings that suggest chronicity(AU)

Frailty as a predictor of outcome in heart failure in the elderly: An observational study at a tertiary care center

Introduction: Heart failure is the leading contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Frailty is an emerging prognostic factor in heart failure. There is little data on the prognostic role of frailty in patients admitted for acute heart failure as most studies have been done on stable heart failure patients. Methodology: The study included elderly (age ≥60 years) patients admitted with acute heart failure at a tertiary care center in India. Patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, and documented terminal illness were excluded. The sample size was 85 patients. Frailty assessment was done using short performance physical battery (SPPB) and Fried phenotype scales and follow‑up data was collected at 3 months postdischarge telephonically. The primary objective of the study was to determine the proportion of frailty in elderly in‑hospital heart failure patients. The secondary objectives were to see the agreement between the frailty assessment tools used (SPPB and Fried phenotype). Results: Eighty seven patients were included in the study. The majority were male (n = 45) and had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n = 56). Coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 60) was the most common cause of heart failure. Eighty-two patients had at least one comorbidity. The proportion of frailty as per the SPPB was 43.67%, and as per the Fried phenotype was 68.9%. A total of 4 deaths and 15 re-admissions occurred during the follow-up period of 3 months. The majority belonged to the frail category as per both the frailty scales (P < 0.001 for SPPB, P = 0.087 for Fried phenotype). Fleiss’s kappa coefficient for agreement between the scales was 0.373 (SE = 0.106, P < 0.001), which signifies that there was a fair agreement between the two scales. The Spearman Rank correlation coefficient was −0.691 (P < 0.01) between the two scales. Hence, the SPPB score inversely correlated with the Fried phenotype. Conclusion: Frailty is largely prevalent in elderly heart failure patients. It can be used to predict poor outcomes in these patients. Clinicians should identify these high-risk patients at the time of discharge from their facility and consider interventions (tailored rehabilitation programs) to minimize the adverse outcomes.

Growth phenotypes of very low birth weight infants for prediction of neonatal outcomes from a Brazilian cohort: comparison with INTERGROWTH

Abstract Objective: To assess the predictive value of selected growth phenotypes for neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants < 30 weeks and to compare them with INTERGROWTH-21st (IG21). Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (BNRN) database for very low birth weight (VLBW) at 20 public tertiary-care university hospitals. Outcome: the composite neonatal morbidity and mortality (CNMM) consisted of in-hospital death, oxygen use at 36 weeks, intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4, and Bell stage 2 or 3 necrotizing enterocolitis. Selected growth phenotypes: small-for-gestational-age (SGA) defined as being < 3rd (SGA3) or 10th (SGA10) percentiles of BW, and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) as being > 97th percentile of BW. Stunting as being < 3rd percentile of the length and wasting as being < 3rd percentile of BMI. Single and multiple log-binomial regression models were fitted to estimate the relative risks of CNMM, comparing them to IG21. Results: 4,072 infants were included. The adjusted relative risks of CNMM associated with selected growth phenotypes were (BNRN/IG21): 1.45 (0.92-2.31)/1.60 (1.27-2.02) for SGA; 0.90 (0.55-1.47)/1.05 (0.55-1.99) for LGA; 1.65 (1.08-2.51)/1.58 (1.28-1.96) for stunting; and 1.48 (1.02-2.17) for wasting. Agreement between the two references was variable. The growth phenotypes had good specificity (>95%) and positive predictive value (70-90%), with poor sensitivity and low negative predictive value. Conclusion: The BNRN phenotypes at birth differed markedly from the IG21 standard and showed poor accuracy in predicting adverse neonatal outcomes.

VPS13B gene variation and clinical phenotype of Cohen syndrome in a Chinese Han family / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To analyze the pathogenicity and clinical characteristics of patients with Cohen syndrome caused by a compound heterozygous variation of VPS13B gene. Methods:A pedigree investigation was conducted.A Chinese Han family with Cohen syndrome was recruited from Henan Eye Hospital in September 2021.There were three members of two generations in this family, including one patient.The clinical data of the proband and his parents were collected, and the relevant ophthalmic and general examinations were performed to evaluate the clinical phenotype.The peripheral venous blood samples of the family members were collected to extract whole genomic DNA, and the whole exome sequencing was performed.Sanger sequencing and pedigree co-segregation analysis were performed among the family members.According to the ACMG guidelines, the pathogenicity of the selected variants was evaluated and the online tools were used to predict the pathogenicity of the variants.Relevant literature of Cohen syndrome were retrieved in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases by taking Cohen syndrome and VPS13B gene as the searching keywords.The clinical manifestations and pathogenic variants of patients in the literature were summarized, and the relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype was analyzed.This study protocol adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2019[15]). Both the subject and the patient's guardian were aware of the study purpose and method.Written informed consent was obtained. Results:The family was consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance.The proband, a 5-year-old male, had bilateral night blindness with photophobia, ptosis, lower eyelid entropion, and trichiasis; high myopia in both eyes; osteoblastoid pigmentation in the peripheral retina, atrophy and thinning of the outer layer of the peripheral retina, extinguished flashing electroretinogram; global growth retardation, typical facial features, slender fingers and toes, flatfoot, foot valgus, dystonia, no cardiac abnormalities; excessively cheerful personality.The clinical manifestations of the proband were consistent with Cohen syndrome.No obvious abnormality was found in the clinical phenotype and the auxiliary examination of the proband's parents.Whole exon sequencing revealed that the proband carried two heterozygous variations, a nonsense variation c. 11713C>T(p.Gln3905*) and a splicing variation c. 6940+ 1G>T.Sanger sequencing confirmed that the above variations were co-segregated in this family.c.11713C>T(p.Gln3905*) was a novel variant, which prematurely terminated the protein encoded by it and affected the normal function of the protein.The two variations were pathogenic variants according to the ACMG guidelines.A total of 12 articles on variants and clinical characteristics of Cohen syndrome in China were retrieved.Combined with the results of this study, a total of 24 VPS13B variants were found in Chinese patients, of which the incidence of frameshift variation was 41.7%(10/24), missense variation 20.8%(5/24), splicing variation 20.8%(5/24) and nonsense variation 16.7%(4/24), respectively.The onset age of patients with Cohen syndrome was from 28 days to 12 years old.The symptoms such as nerve system, eye, brain, and bone were sporadic, and the clinical manifestations were highly heterogeneous. Conclusions:A novel pathogenic variation c. 11713C>T is found in the VPS13B gene of the Cohen syndrome pedigree in this study, and expands the pathogenic variation spectrum of the VPS13B gene.The clinical manifestations of Cohen syndrome are highly heterogeneous.

Clinical and molecular genetic study of a Chinese Han family with X-linked retinoschisis / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical phenotype and molecular genetic characteristics of a Chinese Han family with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), and to determine the associated gene variations.Methods:A pedigree investigation was performed.The clinical characteristics and pedigree analysis of a Han Chinese family line with XLRS was conducted in August 2021 at the Xiamen Eye Center Affiliated to Xiamen University.All patients and the carriers underwent comprehensive medical history collection and routine ophthalmological examinations, including visual acuity, non-contact tonometer, slit lamp microscope, direct ophthalmoscope, and optical coherence tomography.The proband and some patients underwent medical optometry, fundus photography or wide-angle fundus photography, and electroretinogram examination.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the family members, and whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis was performed on the proband samples.For variants screened by WES, the expanded verification in other patients and normal persons in the family was carried out by Sanger sequencing.Multiple bioinformatic tools were used to analyze the pathogenicity of variants.This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University (No.XMYKZX-KY-2021-012). Written informed consent forms were obtained from each subject or guardian of minors.CADD, FATHMM and other bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the pathogenicity of the variation sites.Results:The Han XLRS pedigree consisted of 8 individuals in 3 generations.Out of the 3 cases diagnosed with XLRS based on clinical evaluation, all were male.The mother of the proband was a carrier of related genes.There were 5 persons with normal phenotypes.There was no history of consanguineous marriages within the family, and the disease was shown to be intergenerational, which is consistent with the recessive inheritance of the X chromosome.None of the patients had a history of systemic disease or any other abnormal manifestations.The prevailing feature of ophthalmopathy was poor binocular vision since childhood.The proband and his younger brother had spoke split in the macula, and their grandfather showed atrophy of retinal nerve fibers.Genetic analysis revealed a hemizygous variation c. 214G>C: p.Glu72Gln in the RS1 gene in all the patients in this family.The proband's mother was heterozygous at this site, and all other phenotypically normal family members exhibited wild type at this site.This variant was predicted to be a deleterious variation and likely to cause disease based on bioinformatics analysis. Conclusions:The proband and patients in this Han Chinese family have the known c. 214G>C: p.Glu72Gln hemizygous variation of the RS1 gene and exhibit mild XLRS, which was consistent with the recessive inheritance of X chromosome.

Congenital myasthenic syndrome 22 due to PREPL gene mutation in 2 patients: case report and literature review / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Clinical data of two patients with congenital myasthenia syndrome type 22 (CMS22) treated at the Children′s Hospital of Fudan University from February 2019 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and relevant literatures were reviewed.Both patients were female, aged 3 months 18 days and 3 months 26 days, respectively, with typical clinical features of CMS (postnatal onset, skeletal muscle weakness, feeding difficulties, and delayed motor development). Genetic testing revealed that one patient had a homozygous frameshift mutation of the PREPL gene from maternal uniparental disomy c. 1282_1285del(p.F428fs*18), and the other one had a compound heterozygous mutation, including the paternal homozygous frameshift mutation of the PREPL gene and maternal monoallelic nonsense mutation and splicing mutation c. [1501G>T; 2020+ 1G>T], p.[G501*; -]. Two patients were treated with Pyridostigmine bromide at the age of 6 months old and 4 months old, respectively, and the medication last for 15 months and 3 months (still under treatment), respectively.The treatment was effective.Through literature review, 7 English language articles were retrieved, involving 13 cases (2 cases in the presented study were included). The main clinical symptoms of CMS22 included neonatal onset with feeding difficulties and motor development delay, accompanied by cognitive impairment, growth hormone deficiency, and obesity.Genetic testing is favorable to the early diagnosis, early treatment, and symptom relief.

Advances in the fluid management strategies of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome / 国际儿科学杂志

Pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome(PARDS)is a pulmonary inflammation syndrome caused by a variety of proinflammatory factors induced by many causes, which is mainly characterized by noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.The main pathophysiological feature is the destruction of the integrity of the alveolar capillary membrane, and the loss of the alveolar epithelial-endothelial barrier function.In the PARDS′s clinical practice, the mainstay of the treatment is supportive.Although there is still no clear definition and general consensus or guidelines, appropriate liquid therapy is an important part of non-ventilatory treatment measures.Proper fluid management strategy is helpful to improve pulmonary edema, maintain normal circulatory perfusion, prevent functional failure of important organs and improve the prognosis of patients.According to volume status, implementing the goal-oriented and phased differentiated fluid management strategy is significant for the therapy of PARDS patients.However, the effects of fluid strategy management according to PARDS phenotypes remain to be evaluated.

Advances in Dravet syndrome / 国际儿科学杂志

Dravet syndrome is a rare and severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy with variable clinical phenotypes.Dravet syndrome is difficult to diagnose and treat, and related comorbidities have a profound impact on the long-term quality of life of patients and their parents.SCN1A is the main pathogenic gene of Dravet syndrome, and SCN1A mutations are found in more than 85% of the patients.In recent years, with the development of genetic testing technology and the accumulation of cases, the understanding of the characteristics of epileptic seizures, comorbidities and SCN1A gene mutation characteristics in Dravet syndrome has gradually deepened.In addition to conventional antiepileptic drugs, new antiepileptic drugs(cannabidiol, fenfluramine)have also shown good antiepileptic effects and are expected to become second-line drugs for the treatment of Dravet syndrome seizures.This article mainly reviews the research progress of unique clinical phenotype, SCN1A gene mutation characteristics and new antiepileptic drugs of Dravet syndrome, in order to deepen clinicians′ understanding of the disease.

Construction and Validation of A Risk Model for Predicting Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response of Bladder Cancer Based on Cellular Senescence-related Genes / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To evaluate the prognosis and immunotherapy response of patients with bladder cancer by constructing a risk-score model of cellular senescence-related signature (SRS), as well as to explore the clinical application value of SRS in bladder cancer. Methods Senescence genes were screened from TCGA-BLCA, and cellular SRS genes were screened according to LASSO regression. A bladder cancer risk-score model was constructed based on the SRS genes to analyze the survival difference and model-fit degree of TCGA-BLCA high- and low-risk groups. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic risk factors of bladder cancer. Overall survival differences of high- and low-risk groups in GEO-BLCA database were verified, and variations in immunotherapy responses were analyzed in IMvigor210 databases. According to the result of β-gal chromogenic reaction in bladder cancer and normal paracancer tissues, the existence of cell senescence was determined. Results Eight marker genes were screened, and patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the median risk score constructed by the marker genes. The 5-year survival rate of high risk group was lower than that of low risk group (training and validation sets P < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve of TCGA-BLCA in 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 0.657, 0.660, and 0.688, and those for GSE13507 were 0.665, 0.665, and 0.613, respectively. SRS risk score can be used as an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. The SRS risk score in the response group was lower than that in the non-response group during bladder cancer immunotherapy (P < 0.05). The β-gal staining of bladder cancer tissue was positive, but the β-gal staining of adjacent normal tissue was negative. Conclusion Cell senescence occurs in bladder cancer tissues. SRS risk score can predict the clinical prognosis of patients with bladder cancer, and patients with low score can benefit from immunotherapy. SRS is a reliable biomarker for the prognosis and immunotherapy response of bladder cancer.