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1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 5811, 2024 03 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38461325

RESUMO

New or mild heart failure (HF) is mainly caused by left ventricular dysfunction. We hypothesised that gene expression differ between the left (LV) and right ventricle (RV) and secondly by type of LV dysfunction. We compared gene expression through myocardial biopsies from LV and RV of patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Patients were categorised based on LV ejection fraction (EF), diastolic function and NT-proBNP into pEF (preserved; LVEF ≥ 45%), rEF (reduced; LVEF < 45%) or normal LV function. Principal component analysis of gene expression displayed two clusters corresponding to LV and RV. Up-regulated genes in LV included natriuretic peptides NPPA and NPPB, transcription factors/coactivators STAT4 and VGLL2, ion channel related HCN2 and LRRC38 associated with cardiac muscle contraction, cytoskeleton, and cellular component movement. Patients with pEF phenotype versus normal differed in gene expression predominantly in LV, supporting that diastolic dysfunction and structural changes reflect early LV disease in pEF. DKK2 was overexpressed in LV of HFpEF phenotype, potentially leading to lower expression levels of ß-catenin, α-SMA (smooth muscle actin), and enhanced apoptosis, and could be a possible factor in the development of HFpEF. CXCL14 was down-regulated in both pEF and rEF, and may play a role to promote development of HF.


Assuntos
Insuficiência Cardíaca , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda , Humanos , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/genética , Ventrículos do Coração , Volume Sistólico/fisiologia , Ecocardiografia , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Biópsia , Função Ventricular Esquerda
2.
Chem Biol Interact ; 390: 110876, 2024 Feb 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38266864

RESUMO

The medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) superfamily has more than 600,000 members in UniProt as of March 2023. As the family has been growing, the proportion of functionally characterized proteins has been falling behind. The aim of this project was to investigate the binding pockets of nine different MDR protein families based on sequence conservation patterns and three-dimensional structures of members within the respective families. A search and analysis methodology was developed. Using this, a total of 2000 eukaryotic MDR sequences belonging to nine different families were identified. The pairwise sequence identities within each of the families were 80-90 % for the mammalian sequences, like the levels observed for alcohol dehydrogenase, another MDR family. Twenty conserved residues were identified in the coenzyme part of the binding site by matching structural and conservation data of all nine protein families. The conserved residues in the substrate part of the binding pocket varied between the nine MDR families, implying divergent functions for the different families. Studying each family separately made it possible to identify multiple conserved residues that are expected to be important for substrate binding or catalysis of the enzymatic reaction. By combining structural data with the conservation of the amino acid residues in each protein, important residues in the binding pocket were identified for each of the nine MDRs. The obtained results add new positions of interest for the binding and activity of the enzyme family as well as fit well to earlier published data. Three distinct types of binding pockets were identified, containing no, one, or two tyrosine residues.


Assuntos
Álcool Desidrogenase , Coenzimas , Animais , Humanos , Coenzimas/metabolismo , Álcool Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Mamíferos/metabolismo
3.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett ; 44(1): 39-54, 2023 Mar 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36931226

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder with high heritability. There are also indications that an autoimmune-mediated process in the brain underlies development of schizophrenia, and that the insulin receptor A may constitute a main antigen target. Therefore, as the insulin receptor gene hitherto has been little studied in schizophrenia, this study was undertaken to investigate this gene in schizophrenia susceptibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To identify gene variants of possible interest, the whole insulin receptor gene was first DNA-sequenced in all or subgroups of patients with schizophrenia and controls, using the Sanger method and the SOLiD technology. Then, association analyses of total 50 identified gene variants were carried out in the whole study population, consisting of 94 patients and 60 controls. RESULTS: No significant differences in genotype- and allele frequencies for the 50 gene variants were found between all patients and controls. However, in subgroup analyses, rs2229431 and rs747721248 tended to associate with heredity for schizophrenia, rs2229431 associated with height, rs41505247 with body mass index, rs59765738 and rs57476618 with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 and/ or heredity for DM type 1, and rs2962, rs2352954, rs2352955 and rs2252673 with DM type 2 and/ or heredity for DM type 2 in patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show associations between heredity, height, body mass index, DM type 1, or DM type 2 and gene variants in the insulin receptor gene in patients with schizophrenia. Taken together, these findings clearly point to that the insulin receptor gene is involved in schizophrenia susceptibility.


Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Hereditariedade , Esquizofrenia , Humanos , Índice de Massa Corporal , Receptor de Insulina/genética , Esquizofrenia/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/genética , Insulina/genética , Antígenos CD
4.
Front Cardiovasc Med ; 9: 952974, 2022.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36330003

RESUMO

Aims: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were investigated as potential biomarkers associated with heart failure (HF) pathophysiology in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery characterized by HF phenotype. Materials and methods: Patients with preoperative proxy-diagnoses of HF types i.e., preserved (HFpEF; n = 19) or reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; n = 20) were studied and compared to patients with normal left ventricular function (n = 42). EVs in plasma samples collected from the coronary sinus, an arterial line, and from the right atrium were analyzed by flow cytometry. We studied EVs of presumed cardiomyocyte origin [EVs exposing Connexin-43 + Caveolin-3 (Con43 + Cav3) and Connexin-43 + Troponin T (Con43 + TnT)], of endothelial origin [EVs exposing VE-Cadherin (VE-Cad)] and EVs exposing inflammatory markers [myeloperoxidase (MPO) or pentraxin3 (PTX3)]. Results: Median concentrations of EVs exposing Con43 + TnT and Con43 + Cav3 were approximately five to six times higher in coronary sinus compared to radial artery indicative of cardiac release. Patients with HFrEF had high trans-coronary gradients of both Con43 + TnT and Con43 + Cav3 EVs, whereas HFpEF had elevated gradients of Con43 + Cav3 EVs but lower gradients of Con43 + TnT. Coronary sinus concentrations of both Con43 + TnT and Con43 + Cav3 correlated significantly with echocardiographic and laboratory measures of HF. MPO-EV concentrations were around two times higher in the right atrium compared to the coronary sinus, and slightly higher in HFpEF than in HFrEF. EV concentrations of endothelial origin (VE-Cad) were similar in all three patient groups. Conclusion: Con43 + TnT and Con43 + Cav3 EVs are released over the heart indicating cardiomyocyte origin. In HFrEF the EV release profile is indicative of myocardial injury and myocardial stress with elevated trans-coronary gradients of both Con43 + TnT and Con43 + Cav3 EVs, whereas in HFpEF the profile indicates myocardial stress with less myocardial injury.

5.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett ; 43(1): 1-8, 2022 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35490421

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder with high heritability. There are also indications that impaired cellular signalling via the insulin receptor-A and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor may play a role in its pathogenesis. Insulin, and possibly also C-peptide, are ligands to these receptors. The insulin gene, coding both insulin and C-peptide, has however not been genetically studied in schizophrenia. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the involvement of this gene in schizophrenia susceptibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interest, the whole insulin gene and parts of its promoter region were first DNA sequenced in two subgroups of the study population (37 schizophrenia patients with heredity for schizophrenia or related psychosis, and 25 controls), and mapped to the reference sequence. Then, 7 identified SNPs of potential interest were typed by TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays in the whole study population, consisting of 94 patients with schizophrenia and 60 controls. RESULTS: Allele frequencies tended to differ between patients and controls for two of the 7 SNPs, rs5505 and rs3842749 (p=0.077 and p=0.078, respectively), whereas subgroup analyses of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) and/ or heredity for diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) in patients and controls showed overall significant differences in genotype/ allele frequencies solely for rs5505 (p=0.021/ 0.023). CONCLUSION: These findings are of interest, as the two SNPs - rs5505 and rs3842749 - may have regulatory function on the coding of insulin and C-peptide, against which increased antibody reactivity has been previously reported in schizophrenia.


Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 , Esquizofrenia , Peptídeo C/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/genética , Frequência do Gene , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Genótipo , Humanos , Insulina/genética , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Esquizofrenia/genética
6.
Front Psychol ; 13: 849151, 2022.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35432061

RESUMO

The multitude of training models and curricula for the specialty of clinical neuropsychology around the world has led to organized activities to develop a framework of core competencies to ensure sufficient expertise among entry-level professionals in the field. The Standing Committee on Clinical Neuropsychology of the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations is currently working toward developing a specialty certification in clinical neuropsychology to establish a cross-national standard against which to measure levels of equivalency and uniformity in competence and service provision among professionals in the field. Through structured interviews with experts from 28 European countries, we explored potential areas of core competency. Specifically, questions pertained to the perceived importance of a series of foundational, functional, and other competencies, as well as current training standards and practices, and optimal standards. Our findings revealed considerable agreement (about three quarters and above) on academic and clinical training, despite varied actual training requirements currently, with fewer respondents relegating importance to training in teaching, supervision, and research (a little over half), and even fewer to skills related to management, administration, and advocacy (fewer than half). European expert clinical neuropsychologists were in agreement with previous studies (including those conducted in the United States, Australia, and other countries) regarding the importance of sound theoretical and clinical training but management, administrative, and advocacy skills were not central to their perspective of a competent specialist in clinical neuropsychology. Establishing a specialty certificate in clinical neuropsychology based on core competencies may enable mobility of clinical neuropsychologists across Europe, and, perhaps, provide an impetus for countries with limited criteria to reconsider their training requirements and harmonize their standards with others.

7.
ESC Heart Fail ; 9(4): 2125-2138, 2022 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35403374

RESUMO

AIM: We present the baseline characteristics of the PREFERS Stockholm epidemiological study on the natural history and course of new onset heart failure (HF) aiming to improve phenotyping focusing on HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) pathophysiology. METHODS AND RESULTS: New onset HF patients diagnosed in hospital or at outpatient HF clinics were included at five Stockholm hospitals 2015-2018 and characterized by N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), biomarkers, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (subset). HFpEF [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50%] was compared with HF with mildly reduced LVEF (HFmrEF; LVEF 41-49%) and with HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF; LVEF ≤ 40%). We included 547 patients whereof HFpEF (n = 137; 25%), HFmrEF (n = 61; 11%), and HFrEF (n = 349; 64%). HFpEF patients were older (76; 70-81 years; median; interquartile range) than HFrEF (67; 58-74; P < 0.001), more often women (49% vs. 30%; P < 0.001), and had significantly higher comorbidity burden. They more often had atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. NT-proBNP was lower in HFpEF (896; 462-1645 ng/L) than in HFrEF (1160; 563-2370; P = 0.005). In HFpEF, left ventricular (LV) diameters and volumes were smaller (P < 0.001) and septal and posterior wall thickness and relative wall thickness higher (P < 0.001). E/é ≥ 14 was present in 26% of HFpEF vs. 32% of HFrEF (P = 0.017) and left atrial volume index > 34 mL/m2 in 57% vs. 61% (P = 0.040). HFmrEF patients were intermediary between HFpEF and HFrEF for LV mass, LV volumes, and RV volumes but had the highest proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy and the lowest proportion of elevated E/é. CONCLUSIONS: Phenotype data in new onset HF patients recruited in a broad clinical setting showed that 25% had HFpEF, were older, more often women, and had greater comorbidity burden. PREFERS is well suited to further explore biomarker and imaging components of HFpEF pathophysiology and may contribute to the emerging knowledge of HF epidemiology. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03671122.


Assuntos
Insuficiência Cardíaca , Biomarcadores , Ecocardiografia , Feminino , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico por imagem , Humanos , Peptídeo Natriurético Encefálico , Fragmentos de Peptídeos , Prognóstico , Volume Sistólico/fisiologia , Função Ventricular Esquerda/fisiologia
8.
Healthcare (Basel) ; 9(6)2021 Jun 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34203802

RESUMO

This study analyzed aspects of the work of clinical neuropsychologists across Europe. There are no published comparisons between European countries regarding the nature of clinical neuropsychologists' work. Forty-one national psychological and neuropsychological societies were approached, of which 31 (76%) responded. Data from seven countries with less than 10 neuropsychologists were excluded. A license is required to practice clinical neuropsychology in 50% of the countries. Clinical neuropsychologists work independently in 62.5%. Diagnostic/assessment work is the most frequently reported activity (54%). Most neuropsychologists work in public hospitals, followed by health centers. Adult neuropsychology was the most frequent area of activity. Services in public institutions are covered by public entities (45.8%), or by a combination of patient funds and public entities (29.2%) and only 4.2% by the patient; whereas services in private institutions are covered by the patient (26.1%) and the combination of patient, public entities (21.7%) or patient and private entities (17.4%). The data suggest that the number of neuropsychologists working across European countries is considerably low in comparison to other medical professionals. The results of the survey identified similar aspects of neuropsychologists' work, despite variations in terms of reimbursement and mechanisms, reflecting economic and healthcare differences. Estimates on the number of clinical neuropsychologists suggest insufficient access to neuropsychological services.

9.
Front Psychol ; 11: 559134, 2020.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33123042

RESUMO

The prevalence and negative impact of brain disorders are increasing. Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty dedicated to understanding brain-behavior relationships, applying such knowledge to the assessment of cognitive, affective, and behavioral functioning associated with brain disorders, and designing and implementing effective treatments. The need for services goes beyond neurological diseases and has increased in areas of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, among others. In Europe, a great deal of variability exists in the education and training of Clinical Neuropsychologists. Training models include master's programs, continuing education courses, doctoral programs, and/or post-doctoral specialization depending on the country, with no common framework of requirements, although patients' needs demand equal competencies across Europe. In the past 5 years, the Standing Committee on Clinical Neuropsychology of the European Federation of Psychologists' Association has conducted a series of surveys and interviews with experts in the field representing 30 European countries. The information, along with information from the existing literature, is used in presenting an overview of current and relevant topics related to policy and guidelines in the training and competencies in Clinical Neuropsychology. An option for the way forward is the EuroPsy Specialist Certificate, which is currently offered in Work and Organizational Psychology, and in psychotherapy. It builds upon the basic certificate and complements national standards without overriding them. General principles can be found that can set the basis for a common, solid, and comprehensive specialty education/training, sharpening the Neuropsychologists' competencies across Europe. The requirements in Clinical Neuropsychology should be comparable to those for the existing specialty areas in the EuroPsy model. Despite the perceived challenges, developing a specialist certificate appears a step forward for the development of Clinical Neuropsychology. Recommendations are proposed toward a shared framework of competencies by the means of a common level of education/training for the professionals in Europe. Benchmarking training standards and competencies across Europe has the potential of providing protection against unqualified and ethically questionable practice, creating transparency, raising the general European standard, and promoting mobility of both Clinical Neuropsychologists and patients in Europe, for the benefit of the professional field and the population.

10.
J Card Fail ; 26(12): 1050-1059, 2020 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32750486

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are associated with metabolic derangements, which may have different pathophysiological implications. METHODS AND RESULTS: In new-onset HFpEF (EF of ≥50%, n = 46) and HFrEF (EF of <40%, n = 75) patients, 109 endogenous plasma metabolites including amino acids, phospholipids and acylcarnitines were assessed using targeted metabolomics. Differentially altered metabolites and associations with clinical characteristics were explored. Patients with HFpEF were older, more often female with hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes compared with patients with HFrEF. Patients with HFpEF displayed higher levels of hydroxyproline and symmetric dimethyl arginine, alanine, cystine, and kynurenine reflecting fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Serine, cGMP, cAMP, l-carnitine, lysophophatidylcholine (18:2), lactate, and arginine were lower compared with patients with HFrEF. In patients with HFpEF with diabetes, kynurenine was higher (P = .014) and arginine lower (P = .014) vs patients with no diabetes, but did not differ with diabetes status in HFrEF. Decreasing kynurenine was associated with higher eGFR only in HFpEF (Pinteraction = .020). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with new-onset HFpEF compared with patients with new-onset HFrEF display a different metabolic profile associated with comorbidities, such as diabetes and kidney dysfunction. HFpEF is associated with indices of increased inflammation and oxidative stress, impaired lipid metabolism, increased collagen synthesis, and downregulated nitric oxide signaling. Together, these findings suggest a more predominant systemic microvascular endothelial dysfunction and inflammation linked to increased fibrosis in HFpEF compared with HFrEF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03671122 https://clinicaltrials.gov.


Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda , Feminino , Humanos , Metabolômica , Prognóstico , Volume Sistólico
11.
J Card Fail ; 26(5): 440-443, 2020 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32165346

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), but the underlying causes are not fully understood. We investigated whether ID is associated with decreased iron absorption in patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed an oral iron-absorption test in 30 patients and 12 controls. The patients had CHF with reduced (n = 15) or preserved (n = 15) ejection fraction and ID, defined as s-ferritin < 100 µg/L, or s-ferritin 100-299 µg/L and transferrin saturation < 20%. The controls had no HF or ID and were of similar age and gender. Blood samples were taken before and 2 hours after ingestion of 100 mg ferroglycin sulphate. The primary endpoint was the delta plasma iron at 2 hours. The delta plasma iron was higher in the group with HF than in the control group (median increase 83.8 [61.5;128.5] µg/dL in HF vs 47.5 [30.7;61.5] µg/dL in controls, P = 0.001), indicating increased iron absorption. There was no significant difference between the groups with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (P = 0.46). CONCLUSION: We found increased iron absorption in patients with CHF and ID compared to controls without ID and HF, indicating that reduced iron absorption is not a primary cause of the high prevalence of ID in patients with CHF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2017-000158-21.


Assuntos
Anemia Ferropriva , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Anemia Ferropriva/diagnóstico , Anemia Ferropriva/epidemiologia , Doença Crônica , Ferritinas , Insuficiência Cardíaca/epidemiologia , Humanos , Ferro
13.
Genome Biol ; 20(1): 164, 2019 08 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31405382

RESUMO

Bioinformaticians and biologists rely increasingly upon workflows for the flexible utilization of the many life science tools that are needed to optimally convert data into knowledge. We outline a pan-European enterprise to provide a catalogue ( https://bio.tools ) of tools and databases that can be used in these workflows. bio.tools not only lists where to find resources, but also provides a wide variety of practical information.


Assuntos
Disciplinas das Ciências Biológicas , Bases de Dados Factuais , Software , Internet
14.
Nat Rev Genet ; 20(11): 693-701, 2019 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31455890

RESUMO

Human genomics is undergoing a step change from being a predominantly research-driven activity to one driven through health care as many countries in Europe now have nascent precision medicine programmes. To maximize the value of the genomic data generated, these data will need to be shared between institutions and across countries. In recognition of this challenge, 21 European countries recently signed a declaration to transnationally share data on at least 1 million human genomes by 2022. In this Roadmap, we identify the challenges of data sharing across borders and demonstrate that European research infrastructures are well-positioned to support the rapid implementation of widespread genomic data access.


Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica , Genoma Humano , Projeto Genoma Humano , Europa (Continente) , Humanos
15.
Clin Biochem ; 73: 50-56, 2019 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31344365

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inborn error of metabolism and a common disorder of sex development where >90% of all cases are due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Novel and rare pathogenic variants account for 5% of all clinical cases. Here, we sought to investigate the functional and structural effects of four novel (p.Val358Ile, p.Arg369Gln, p.Asp377Tyr, and p.Leu461Pro) and three combinations of CYP21A2 variants (i.e. one allele containing two variants p.[Ile172Asn;Val358Ile], p.[Val281Leu;Arg369Gln], or p.[Asp377Tyr;Leu461Pro]) identified in patients with CAH. METHODS: All variants were reconstructed by in vitro site-directed mutagenesis, the proteins were transiently expressed in COS-1 cells and enzyme activities directed toward the two natural substrates (17-hydroxyprogesterone and progesterone) were determined. In parallel, in silico prediction of the pathogenicity of the variants based on the human CYP21 X-ray structure was performed. RESULTS: The novel variants, p.Val358Ile, p.Arg369Gln, p.Asp377Tyr, and p.Leu461Pro exhibited residual enzymatic activities within the range of non-classic (NC) CAH variants (40-82%). An additive effect on the reduction of enzymatic activity (1-17%) was observed when two variants were expressed together, as identified in several patients, resulting in either NC or more severe phenotypes. In silico predictions were in line with the in vitro data except for p.Leu461Pro. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the combination of clinical data, in silico prediction, and data from in vitro studies are important for establishing a correct genotype and phenotype correlation in patients with CAH.


Assuntos
Hiperplasia Suprarrenal Congênita , Alelos , Modelos Moleculares , Mutação de Sentido Incorreto , Esteroide 21-Hidroxilase , Adolescente , Hiperplasia Suprarrenal Congênita/enzimologia , Hiperplasia Suprarrenal Congênita/genética , Adulto , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Animais , Células COS , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Chlorocebus aethiops , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Domínios Proteicos , Esteroide 21-Hidroxilase/química , Esteroide 21-Hidroxilase/genética
17.
Sci Rep ; 9(1): 3179, 2019 02 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30816197

RESUMO

Heart failure affects 2-3% of adult Western population. Prevalence of heart failure with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF) increases. Studies suggest HFpEF patients to have altered myocardial structure and functional changes such as incomplete relaxation and increased cardiac stiffness. We hypothesised that patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery (CABG) with HFpEF characteristics would show distinctive gene expression compared to patients with normal LV physiology. Myocardial biopsies for mRNA expression analysis were obtained from sixteen patients with LV ejection fraction ≥45%. Five out of 16 patients (31%) had echocardiographic characteristics and increased NTproBNP levels indicative of HFpEF and this group was used as HFpEF proxy, while 11 patients had Normal LV physiology. Utilising principal component analysis, the gene expression data clustered into two groups, corresponding to HFpEF proxy and Normal physiology, and 743 differentially expressed genes were identified. The associated top biological functions were cardiac muscle contraction, oxidative phosphorylation, cellular remodelling and matrix organisation. Our results also indicate that upstream regulatory events, including inhibition of transcription factors STAT4, SRF and TP53, and activation of transcription repressors HEY2 and KDM5A, could provide explanatory mechanisms to observed gene expression differences and ultimately cardiac dysfunction in the HFpEF proxy group.


Assuntos
Insuficiência Cardíaca/genética , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Transcriptoma/genética , Função Ventricular Esquerda/genética , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Biópsia , Diástole , Ecocardiografia , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/genética , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico por imagem , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Contração Miocárdica/genética , Miocárdio/patologia , Volume Sistólico/genética
18.
Clin Neuropsychol ; 33(1): 32-56, 2019 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29923448

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to analyze the current European situation of specialist education and training within clinical neuropsychology, and the legal and professional status of clinical neuropsychologists in different European countries. METHOD: An online survey was prepared in 2016 by a Task Force established by the European Federation of Psychological Associations, and representatives of 30 countries gave their responses. Response rate was 76%. RESULTS: Only three countries were reported to regulate the title of clinical neuropsychologist as well as the education and practice of clinical neuropsychologists by law. The most common university degree required to practice clinical neuropsychology was the master's degree; a doctoral degree was required in two countries. The length of the specialist education after the master's degree varied between 12 and 60 months. In one third of the countries, no commonly agreed upon model for specialist education existed. A more systematic training model and a longer duration of training were associated with independence in the work of clinical neuropsychologists. CONCLUSIONS: As legal regulation is mostly absent and training models differ, those actively practicing clinical neuropsychology in Europe have a very heterogeneous educational background and skill level. There is a need for a European standardization of specialist training in clinical neuropsychology. Guiding principles for establishing the common core requirements are presented.


Assuntos
Testes Neuropsicológicos/normas , Neuropsicologia/métodos , Médicos/normas , Europa (Continente) , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Inquéritos e Questionários
19.
Sci Rep ; 7(1): 12941, 2017 10 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29021611

RESUMO

Heart failure is a major health problem linked to poor quality of life and high mortality rates. Hence, novel biomarkers, such as fetal marker genes with low expression levels, could potentially differentiate disease states in order to improve therapy. In many studies on heart failure, cardiac biopsies have been analyzed as uniform pieces of tissue with bulk techniques, but this homogenization approach can mask medically relevant phenotypes occurring only in isolated parts of the tissue. This study examines such spatial variations within and between regions of cardiac biopsies. In contrast to standard RNA sequencing, this approach provides a spatially resolved transcriptome- and tissue-wide perspective of the adult human heart, and enables detection of fetal marker genes expressed by minor subpopulations of cells within the tissue. Analysis of patients with heart failure, with preserved ejection fraction, demonstrated spatially divergent expression of fetal genes in cardiac biopsies.


Assuntos
Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Feto/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade
20.
Psychiatr Psychol Law ; 24(3): 440-457, 2017.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31983966

RESUMO

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a short period, 15 sessions, of reading interventions in a sample of adult forensic psychiatric patients: 61 patients with decoding difficulties - 44 in the experimental group and 17 in the comparison group - with an average age of 31.6 participated. Of these, 36% were female, and 29% had an immigrant background. The participants carried out a battery of reading tests. The results in the experimental group showed a medium effect size (d = .36 to .76) on all reading tests between pre- and post-test. The comparison group, however, showed no gain at all between the test occasions. The results indicate that a proportionally low reading intervention effort produces improvement in reading. This study discusses the importance of including reading assessment and offering remediation in order to reach optimal future social adjustment for patients in forensic clinics.

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