ABSTRACT
A single word, Epigenetics, underlies one exciting subject in today's Science, with different sides and with interactions with philosophy. The apparent trivial description includes everything in between genotype and phenotype that occurs for a given unique DNA sequence/genome. This Perspective article first presents an historical overview and the reasons for the lack of consensus in the field, which derives from different interpretations of the diverse operative definitions of Epigenetics. In an attempt to reconcile the different views, we propose a novel concept, the "cytocrin system." Secondly, the article questions the inheritability requirement and makes emphasis in the epigenetic mechanisms, known or to be discovered, that provide hope for combating human diseases. Hopes in cancer are at present in deep need of deciphering mechanisms to support ad hoc therapeutic approaches. Better perspectives are for diseases of the central nervous system, in particular to combat neurodegeneration and/or cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Neurons are post-mitotic cells and, therefore, epigenetic targets to prevent neurodegeneration should operate in non-dividing diseased cells. Accordingly, epigenetic-based human therapy may not need to count much on transmissible potential.
ABSTRACT
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the most populated family of proteins within the human genome. Since the early sixties work on GPCRs and on GPCR-mediated signaling has led to a number of awards, the most recent being the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2012. The future of GPCRs research is surely based on their capacity for heteromerization. Receptor heteromers offer a series of challenges that will help in providing success in academic/basic research and translation into more effective and safer drugs.
ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective prognostic study. OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of pain following fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to identify factors associated with pain and disability. METHODS: From 126 consecutive patients surgically treated for scoliosis between 1997 and 2007, 104 (82.5%) completed SRS-22 and ODI questionnaires at a last follow-up (mean, 4.8 years; range 1-11.2 years). Prevalence of pain and disability were determined from SRS questions 1 and 9 respectively, with "any" pain or decrease in activity considered clinically significant. SRS Pain Domain Scores (PDS) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Most participants reported "no pain" (38.5%) or "mild pain" (30.8%) and 72.1% of participants reported a current work/school activity level of 100% normal. An association between instrument type and the presence of any pain in the previous 6 months was noted (P = .022). Instrument type was the only factor that was significantly associated with the PDS (P = .0052). CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of patients reporting no pain or mild pain may suggest overall success of the procedures. Although an association between instrument type and pain was seen, unmeasured factors that contributed to the decision of what instrument to use may confound the relationship. From these data a causal inference cannot be made.Final class of evidence-prognosisSTUDY DESIGNProspective CohortRetrospective Cohortâ¢Case controlCase seriesMETHODSPatients at similar point in course of treatmentâ¢F/U ≥ 85%Similarity of treatment protocols for patient groupsPatients followed up long enough for outcomes to occurâ¢Control for extraneous risk factorsâ¢*Overall class of evidenceIIIThe definiton of the different classes of evidence is available on page 55.*Potentially confounding factors were systematically explored and considered for stratified analysis as appropriate.
ABSTRACT
AIM AND METHODS: The major aim of this study was to determine whether after 6 weeks of aerobic training adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) girls who suffer from mild scoliotic curvatures (n = 6) behaved in a similar way than healthy controls (n = 6) in different biochemical, anthropometric, and cardio respiratory parameters. RESULTS: The maximal power output and the power output achieved at the anaerobic threshold (AT), during the maximal exercise test, were significantly increased in both experimental groups, when compared with resting conditions. The training program caused significant changes in body composition (i.e., a decrease in body fat %) only in the scoliotic group. Regarding the cardio respiratory measurements, VO(2max) was increased by 17% in AIS group and 10% in the healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that physical activity should be encouraged in scoliotic girls with mild curvatures.
