Differential regulation of mammalian and avian ATOH1 by E2F1 and its implication for hair cell regeneration in the inner ear.

The mammalian inner ear has a limited capacity to regenerate its mechanosensory hair cells. This lack of regenerative capacity underlies the high incidence of age-related hearing loss in humans. In contrast, non-mammalian vertebrates can form new hair cells when damage occurs, a mechanism that depends on re-activation of expression of the pro-hair cell transcription factor Atoh1. Here, we show that members of the E2F transcription factor family, known to play a key role in cell cycle progression, regulate the expression of Atoh1. E2F1 activates chicken Atoh1 by directly interacting with a cis-regulatory region distal to the avian Atoh1 gene. E2F does not activate mouse Atoh1 gene expression, since this regulatory element is absent in mammals. We also show that E2F1 expression changes dynamically in the chicken auditory epithelium during ototoxic damage and hair cell regeneration. Therefore, we propose a model in which the mitotic regeneration of non-mammalian hair cells is due to E2F1-mediated activation of Atoh1 expression, a mechanism which has been lost in mammals.

Diseño de un sistema de vigilancia contra la violencia intrafamiliar / Design of a surveillance system against the intrafamily violence

Se realizó una investigación teórica, descriptiva y trasversal, con vistas a diseñar un sistema de vigilancia contra la violencia intrafamiliar en el área de salud Julián Grimau García de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2014. Se utilizaron técnicas cualitativas, tales como entrevista formal e informal, observación no participante, observación indirecta y opinión de grupo de expertos. Entre las condiciones significativas predominantes figuraron: familias disfuncionales, baja escolaridad, hacinamiento y situación económica crítica; todo ello permitió profundizar en los elementos y factores de riesgo que influyeron en la génesis de la violencia(AU)

A theoretical, descriptive and cross-sectional investigation aimed at designing a surveillance system against the intrafamily violence in Julián Grimau García health area was carried out in Santiago de Cuba, during the 2014. Qualitative techniques, such as formal and informal interview, non participative observation, indirect observation and opinion of experts' group were used. Among the predominant significant conditions there were: dysfunctional families, low school level, hascination and critical economic situation; all this allowed to deepen in the elements and risk factors influencing on the genesis of violence(AU)

Sistema de vigilancia contra la violencia intrafamiliar / Surveillance system against intrafamily violence

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva, transversal, analítica y combinada de campo sobre el terreno de los individuos que sufrieron algún tipo de violencia en el medio familiar, pertenecientes al Policlínico Universitario "Julián Grimau García" de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2014, a fin de identificar las situaciones de riesgo de la violencia intrafamiliar, para lo cual se emplearon diferentes técnicas. Entre las situaciones de riesgo figuraron: ruptura imprevista de relaciones con vecinos, cambio de patrones de comportamiento, escándalos repentinos en el hogar y familiares con lesiones físicas sin causa convincente. Las condiciones significativas fueron familia disfuncional, baja escolaridad, hacinamiento y situación económica crítica; por tanto, se hizo necesaria la creación de un sistema de vigilancia en salud mental contra este tipo de violencia, que permitiera detectar cambios en la población y establecer las modificaciones necesarias durante su implementación.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, analytic and combined investigation on the environment of the individuals who suffered from some type of violence in their families, belonging to "Julián Grimau García" University Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during the 2014, in order to identify the risky situations of intrafamily violence, for which different techniques were used. Among the risky situations there were: accidental rupture of relationships with neighbours, change of behaviour patterns, sudden scandals in the home and family with physical lesions without convincing cause. The significant conditions were dysfunctional family, low school level, hacination and critical economic situation; therefore, the creation of a surveillance system in mental health against this type of violence is necessary, allowing to detect changes in the population and to establish the necessary modifications during its implementation.

Sistema de vigilancia contra la violencia intrafamiliar / Surveillance system against intrafamily violence

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva, transversal, analítica y combinada de campo sobre el terreno de los individuos que sufrieron algún tipo de violencia en el medio familiar, pertenecientes al Policlínico Universitario Julián Grimau García de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2014, a fin de identificar las situaciones de riesgo de la violencia intrafamiliar, para lo cual se emplearon diferentes técnicas. Entre las situaciones de riesgo figuraron: ruptura imprevista de relaciones con vecinos, cambio de patrones de comportamiento, escándalos repentinos en el hogar y familiares con lesiones físicas sin causa convincente. Las condiciones significativas fueron familia disfuncional, baja escolaridad, hacinamiento y situación económica crítica; por tanto, se hizo necesaria la creación de un sistema de vigilancia en salud mental contra este tipo de violencia, que permitiera detectar cambios en la población y establecer las modificaciones necesarias durante su implementación(AU)

A descriptive, cross-sectional, analytic and combined investigation on the environment of the individuals who suffered from some type of violence in their families, belonging to Julián Grimau García University Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during the 2014, in order to identify the risky situations of intrafamily violence, for which different techniques were used. Among the risky situations there were: accidental rupture of relationships with neighbours, change of behaviour patterns, sudden scandals in the home and family with physical lesions without convincing cause. The significant conditions were dysfunctional family, low school level, hacination and critical economic situation; therefore, the creation of a surveillance system in mental health against this type of violence is necessary, allowing to detect changes in the population and to establish the necessary modifications during its implementation(AU)

Conocimiento acerca del VIH/sida en adolescentes de distintos niveles de enseñanza / Knowledge about HIV/aids in adolescents of different teaching levels

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de adolescentes del municipio Santiago de Cuba, con edades entre 16 y 20 años, pertenecientes a diferentes niveles de enseñanza, a fin de comparar el nivel de conocimientos que poseían sobre el VIH/sida, durante el primer semestre del año 2012. Se conformaron 3 grupos de estudio (A, B y C), según el nivel de enseñanza. El grupo A estuvo integrado por los estudiantes de preuniversitario; el B, por los de diversas carreras no pertenecientes a las ciencias médicas y el C, por los de la carrera de medicina. Se confeccionó una encuesta para medir cada variable. Se constató que no existieron diferencias significativas en los conocimientos sobre el tema en relación con el tipo y nivel de enseñanza de donde provenían.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of adolescents from Santiago de Cuba municipality with ages between 16 and 20 years, belonging to different teaching levels was carried out in order to compare the knowledge level they had on HIV/aids during the first semester of 2012. Three study groups were formed (A, B and C), according to the teaching level. Group A was formed by preuniversity students; group B was formed by those of diverse careers not belonging to the medical sciences and group C, by those of the medicine career. A survey was made to measure each variable. It was verified that there were no significant differences in knowledge on the topic, in relation to the type and teaching level of where they came.

Conocimiento acerca del VIH/sida en adolescentes de distintos niveles de enseñanza / Knowledge about HIV/aids in adolescents of different teaching levels

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de adolescentes del municipio Santiago de Cuba, con edades entre 16 y 20 años, pertenecientes a diferentes niveles de enseñanza, a fin de comparar el nivel de conocimientos que poseían sobre el VIH/sida, durante el primer semestre del año 2012. Se conformaron 3 grupos de estudio (A, B y C), según el nivel de enseñanza. El grupo A estuvo integrado por los estudiantes de preuniversitario; el B, por los de diversas carreras no pertenecientes a las ciencias médicas y el C, por los de la carrera de medicina. Se confeccionó una encuesta para medir cada variable. Se constató que no existieron diferencias significativas en los conocimientos sobre el tema en relación con el tipo y nivel de enseñanza de donde provenían(AU

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of adolescents from Santiago de Cuba municipality with ages between 16 and 20 years, belonging to different teaching levels was carried out in order to compare the knowledge level they had on HIV/aids during the first semester of 2012. Three study groups were formed (A, B and C), according to the teaching level. Group A was formed by preuniversity students; group B was formed by those of diverse careers not belonging to the medical sciences and group C, by those of the medicine career. A survey was made to measure each variable. It was verified that there were no significant differences in knowledge on the topic, in relation to the type and teaching level of where they came(AU)

A functional and genetic analysis of SOD2 promoter variants and their contribution to age-related hearing loss.

UNLABELLED: Genetic variation in superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is implicated in several ageing pathologies and with noise-induced hearing loss. Here, we have investigated the role of SOD2 promoter variants in age related hearing loss (ARHL). METHODS: Putative regulatory variants identified in the SOD2 promoter using bioinformatics were functionally evaluated in an inner-ear-derived cell line (OC-2). Variants with effects on transcription factor binding were then tested in association studies in discovery and replication cohorts (London ARHL and ELSA cohorts, n=2177). RESULTS: The rs5746092 (-38C>G) and rs2758343 (-299C>A) SNPs alter the affinity of the SOD2 promoter for AP-2α and SP1 respectively. Evidence of an association between the -38C>G SNP and ARHL was detected in the London cohort only; p=0.0436, OR=1.35 [1.05-1.73]. This effect was strongest in males reporting family history of ARHL (p=0.0095) and was independent of reported noise exposure. The rs2758343 (-299C>A) rSNP was found to be in complete LD with the well characterised functional variant rs4880 (Ala16Val) and was not associated with hearing loss. CONCLUSION: This study describes the effect of common SOD2 promoter variation on SOD2 promoter regulation and links it to ARHL risk in men. However, due to lack of replication, this association should be regarded as suggestive only.