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Post-translational modifications of histone proteins and exchanges of histone variants of chromatin are central to the regulation of nearly all DNA-templated biological processes. However, the degree and variability of chromatin modifications in specific human immune cells remain largely unknown. Here, we employ a highly multiplexed mass cytometry analysis to profile the global levels of a broad array of chromatin modifications in primary human immune cells at the single-cell level. Our data reveal markedly different cell-type- and hematopoietic-lineage-specific chromatin modification patterns. Differential analysis between younger and older adults shows that aging is associated with increased heterogeneity between individuals and elevated cell-to-cell variability in chromatin modifications. Analysis of a twin cohort unveils heritability of chromatin modifications and demonstrates that aging-related chromatin alterations are predominantly driven by non-heritable influences. Together, we present a powerful platform for chromatin and immunology research. Our discoveries highlight the profound impacts of aging on chromatin modifications.
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Envejecimiento , Cromatina/química , Epigénesis Genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Linaje de la Célula , Separación Celular , Enfermedades en Gemelos , Femenino , Citometría de Flujo , Histonas/metabolismo , Humanos , Sistema Inmunológico , Inmunofenotipificación , Leucocitos Mononucleares/citología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Monocitos/citología , Análisis de Componente Principal , Procesamiento Proteico-Postraduccional , Sistema de Registros , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Health digital twins (HDTs) are virtual representations of real individuals that can be used to simulate human physiology, disease, and drug effects. HDTs can be used to improve drug discovery and development by providing a data-driven approach to inform target selection, drug delivery, and design of clinical trials. HDTs also offer new applications into precision therapies and clinical decision making. The deployment of HDTs at scale could bring a precision approach to public health monitoring and intervention. Next steps include challenges such as addressing socioeconomic barriers and ensuring the representativeness of the technology based on the training and validation data sets. Governance and regulation of HDT technology are still in the early stages.
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Disciplinas de las Ciencias Biológicas , Humanos , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos , Descubrimiento de Drogas , Tecnología , Atención a la SaludRESUMEN
To control genetic background and early life milieu in genome-wide DNA methylation analysis for blood lipids, we recruited Chinese discordant monozygotic twins to explore the relationships between DNA methylations and total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). 132 monozygotic (MZ) twins were included with discordant lipid levels and completed data. A linear mixed model was conducted in Epigenome-wide association study (EWAS). Generalized estimating equation model was for gene expression analysis. We conducted Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to build co-methylated interconnected network. Additional Qingdao citizens were recruited for validation. Inference about Causation through Examination of Familial Confounding (ICE FALCON) was used to infer the possible direction of these relationships. A total of 476 top CpGs reached suggestively significant level (P < 10-4), of which, 192 CpGs were significantly associated with TG (FDR < 0.05). They were used to build interconnected network and highlight crucial genes from WGCNA. Finally, four CpGs in GATA4 were validated as risk factors for TC; six CpGs at ITFG2-AS1 were negatively associated with TG; two CpGs in PLXND1 played protective roles in HDL-C. ICE FALCON indicated abnormal TC was regarded as the consequence of DNA methylation in CpGs at GATA4, rather than vice versa. Four CpGs in ITFG2-AS1 were both causes and consequences of modified TG levels. Our results indicated that DNA methylation levels of 12 CpGs in GATA4, ITFG2-AS1, and PLXND1 were relevant to TC, TG, and HDL-C, respectively, which might provide new epigenetic insights into potential clinical treatment of dyslipidemia.
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Epigénesis Genética , Gemelos Monocigóticos , Humanos , Epigénesis Genética/genética , Gemelos Monocigóticos/genética , Metilación de ADN/genética , Lípidos/genética , Triglicéridos/genética , LDL-Colesterol/genética , ChinaRESUMEN
Type II and IV twins with irrational twin boundaries are studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in two plagioclase crystals. The twin boundaries in these and in NiTi are found to relax to form rational facets separated by disconnections. The topological model (TM), amending the classical model, is required for a precise theoretical prediction of the orientation of the Type II/IV twin plane. Theoretical predictions also are presented for types I, III, V, and VI twins. The relaxation process that forms a faceted structure entails a separate prediction from the TM. Hence, faceting provides a difficult test for the TM. Analysis of the faceting by the TM is in excellent agreement with the observations.
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We estimate the causal effect of income on happiness using a unique dataset of Chinese twins. This allows us to address omitted variable bias and measurement errors. Our findings show that individual income has a large positive effect on happiness, with a doubling of income resulting in an increase of 0.26 scales or 0.37 SDs in the four-scale happiness measure. We also find that income matters most for males and the middle-aged. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for various biases when studying the relationship between socioeconomic status and subjective well-being.
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Felicidad , Renta , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pueblo Asiatico , ChinaRESUMEN
The field of one-dimensional semiconducting materials holds a wide variety of captivating applications, such as photovoltaic cells, electronic devices, catalysis cells, lasers, and more. The tunability of electrical, mechanical, or optical attributes of a semiconductor crystal relies on the ability to control and pattern the crystal's growth direction, orientation, and dimensions. In this study, we harvest the unique properties of crystallographic defects in Au substrates, specifically twin boundaries, to fabricate selective epitaxial growth of semiconducting nanocrystals. Different crystallographic defects were previously shown to enhance materials properties, such as, screw dislocations providing spiral crystal growth, dislocation outcrops, and vacancies increasing their catalytic activity, dislocation strengthening, and atomic doping changing the crystal's electrical properties. Here, we present a unique phenomenon of directed growth of semiconductor crystals of gold(I)-cyanide (AuCN) on the surface of thin Au layers, using traces of deformation twins on the surface. We show that emergence of deformation twins to the {111} Au surface leads to the formation of ledges, exposing new {001} and {111} facets on the surface. We propose that this phenomenon leads to epitaxial growth of AuCN on the freshly exposed {111} facets of the twin boundary trace ledges. Specific orientations of the twin boundaries with respect to the Au surface allow for patterned growth of AuCN in the <110> orientations. Nano-scale patterning of AuCN semiconductors may provide an avenue for property tuning, particularly the band gap acquired.
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Normal cortical growth and the resulting folding patterns are crucial for normal brain function. Although cortical development is largely influenced by genetic factors, environmental factors in fetal life can modify the gene expression associated with brain development. As the placenta plays a vital role in shaping the fetal environment, affecting fetal growth through the exchange of oxygen and nutrients, placental oxygen transport might be one of the environmental factors that also affect early human cortical growth. In this study, we aimed to assess the placental oxygen transport during maternal hyperoxia and its impact on fetal brain development using MRI in identical twins to control for genetic and maternal factors. We enrolled 9 pregnant subjects with monochorionic diamniotic twins (30.03 ± 2.39 gestational weeks [mean ± SD]). We observed that the fetuses with slower placental oxygen delivery had reduced volumetric and surface growth of the cerebral cortex. Moreover, when the difference between placenta oxygen delivery increased between the twin pairs, sulcal folding patterns were more divergent. Thus, there is a significant relationship between placental oxygen transport and fetal brain cortical growth and folding in monochorionic twins.
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Placenta , Gemelos Monocigóticos , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Desarrollo Fetal , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal/metabolismo , Oxígeno/metabolismo , Placenta/diagnóstico por imagen , Placenta/metabolismoRESUMEN
DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) are a class of fluorophores with interesting photophysical properties dominated by the choice of DNA sequence. Screening methods with ultraviolet excitation and steady state well plate readers have previously been used for deepening the understanding between DNA sequence and emission color of the resulting DNA-AgNCs. Here, we present a new method for screening DNA-AgNCs by using pulsed white light excitation (λex ≈ 490-900 nm). By subtraction and time gating we are able to circumvent the dominating scatter of the white excitation light and extract both temporally and spectrally resolved emission of DNA-AgNCs over the visible to near-infrared range. Additionally, we are able to identify weak long-lived emission, which is often buried underneath the intense nanosecond fluorescence. This new approach will be useful for future screening of DNA-AgNCs (or other novel emissive materials) and aid machine-learning models by providing a richer training data set.
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ADN , Luz , Nanopartículas del Metal , Plata , ADN/química , Plata/química , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Colorantes Fluorescentes/química , Fluorescencia , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia/métodosRESUMEN
A transformation is underway in precision and patient-specific medicine. Rapid progress has been enabled by multiple new technologies including induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes (iPSC-CMs). Here, we delve into these advancements and their future promise, focusing on the efficiency of reprogramming techniques, the fidelity of differentiation into the cardiac lineage, the functional characterization of the resulting cardiac myocytes, and the many applications of in silico models to understand general and patient-specific mechanisms controlling excitation-contraction coupling in health and disease. Furthermore, we explore the current and potential applications of iPSC-CMs in both research and clinical settings, underscoring the far-reaching implications of this rapidly evolving field.
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Diferenciación Celular , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas , Miocitos Cardíacos , Miocitos Cardíacos/fisiología , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas/fisiología , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas/citología , Humanos , Animales , Diferenciación Celular/fisiología , Reprogramación Celular/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Twins in crystal defect, one of the significant factors affecting the physicochemical properties of semiconductor materials, are applied in catalytic conversion. Among the catalysts serving for photocatalytic water splitting, Zn1- x Cdx S has become a hot-point due to its adjustable energy band structure. Via limiting mass transport to control the release rate of anions/cations, twin Zn1- x Cdx S solid solution is prepared successfully, which lays a foundation for the construction of other twin crystals in the future. On twin Zn1- x Cdx S, water tends to be dissociated after being adsorbed by Zn2+ /Cd2+ at twin boundary, then the fast-moving electrons at twin boundary quickly combine with the protons already attached to S2- to form hydrogen. According to the theoretical calculation, not only the intracrystalline electron mobility, but also the extracrystalline capacity of water-adsorption/dissociation and proton-adsorption on the twin boundary are superior to those of the counterpart plane in defect-free phase. The synthetic twin Zn1- x Cdx S apparent quantum efficiency of photocatalysis water splitting for hydrogen reached 82.5% (λ = 420 nm). This research opens up an avenue to introduce twins in crystals and it hopes to shed some light on photocatalysis.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine whether it is the magnitude of early postnatal catch-up growth (CUG) in response to fetal growth restriction (FGR) or the FGR itself that negatively impacts cognitive outcome in a model of monochorionic twins discordant for fetal growth. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis is part of the LEMON study, a cohort study including all monochorionic twins with selective FGR aged 3 through 17 years. Growth measurements as documented by our primary care system were collected retrospectively. An age-appropriate neurodevelopmental test was performed generating a full-scale IQ (FSIQ). CUG at 2 years was calculated as (weight [kg] at 2 years-birth weight [kg]). We used a multivariable regression model investigating the association between FSIQ (outcome) and birth weight zscore, gestational age at birth and CUG at 2 years (predictors). Generalized estimating equations accounted for the fact that observations between cotwins are not independent. RESULTS: Median age at follow-up of the 46 included twin pairs was 11 (IQR 8-13) years. Birth weight z score and gestational age at birth were significantly associated with FSIQ, with ß-coefficients of 5.897 (95% CI 3.382-8.411), and 2.589 (95% CI 1.227-3.951), respectively (P < .0001). Adjusted for birth weight z score and gestational age, CUG in the first 2 years after birth was not significantly associated with FSIQ (ß-coefficient 0.108 [95% CI -1.373 to 1.590], P = .886). CONCLUSIONS: Our results, combining detailed growth measurements and neurodevelopmental follow-up in a discordant identical twin model, demonstrate that FGR itself rather than early postnatal CUG has negative consequences for cognitive development.
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STUDY QUESTION: Do the mothers of twins and singletons differ regarding post-partum and old-age mortality? SUMMARY ANSWER: Twin deliveries were associated with higher post-partum maternal mortality than singleton deliveries, but the lifetime post-partum mortality risk was similar for mothers of twins and singletons; survival of twinners was higher than survival of the mothers of singletons after the 67th lifespan percentile. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Twinning is typically associated with higher post-partum maternal mortality. The evidence about whether twinning incurs long-term survival costs of reproduction or is a trait pertinent to long-lived women is scarce and contradictory. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The study is based on the data of the Estonian Family Register (operating from 1926 to 1943) and involves 5565 mothers of twins and 119 613 mothers of singletons born between 1850 and 1899. The subset for comparing maternal lifespans included 1703-1884 mothers of twins and 19 747-36 690 mothers of singletons. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Post-partum maternal mortality was analyzed in the whole sample (including mothers of a single child) by logistic regression. Most of the analyses were performed in samples where each mother of twins was matched against mothers of singletons based on parity (or number of deliveries), urban versus rural and inland versus coastal origin, whether their lifespan was known, date of birth and age at first birth. Lifespans were compared in linear mixed models. Quantile regression was used to analyze age-dependent variations in maternal mortality rates. All models were adjusted for relevant biodemographic covariates. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The twinning rate in the whole sample was 4.4%. During the year after giving birth, maternal mortality for twin deliveries was 0.75% (17/2273) and 0.37% (449/122 750) for singleton deliveries (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.21-3.23). However, the lifetime post-partum mortality risk for mothers of twins (0.51%; 28/5557) and singletons (0.37%; 438/119 466) did not differ significantly (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.91-1.98). The life spans of the mothers of twins and singletons did not differ in matched samples. Past the 67th lifespan percentile, the odds of survival were significantly higher for mothers of twins than mothers of singletons, as indicated by non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Relatively low number of individuals (22 802-28 335) with known age at death in matched datasets due to discontinuation of the register after 1943. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The finding that mothers of twins had higher odds of old-age survival than mothers of singletons is consistent with the contention that twinners represent a non-random subset of women whose robust phenotypic quality allows them to outlive the mothers of singletons in old age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was funded by the Estonian Research Council grants PRG1137, PRG2248, and PSG669. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.
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Gemelos , Humanos , Femenino , Estonia/epidemiología , Embarazo , Adulto , Gemelos/estadística & datos numéricos , Mortalidad Materna/tendencias , Embarazo Gemelar/estadística & datos numéricos , Cohorte de Nacimiento , Persona de Mediana Edad , Madres/estadística & datos numéricos , Longevidad , Historia del Siglo XIX , AncianoRESUMEN
SCENTinel, a rapid smell test designed to screen for olfactory disorders, including anosmia (no ability to smell an odor) and parosmia (distorted sense of smell), measures 4 components of olfactory function: detection, intensity, identification, and pleasantness. Each test card contains one of 9 odorant mixtures. Some people born with genetic insensitivities to specific odorants (i.e. specific anosmia) may fail the test if they cannot smell an odorant but otherwise have a normal sense of smell. However, using odorant mixtures has largely been found to prevent this from happening. To better understand whether genetic differences affect SCENTinel test results, we asked genetically informative adult participants (twins or triplets, Nâ =â 630; singletons, Nâ =â 370) to complete the SCENTinel test. A subset of twins (nâ =â 304) also provided a saliva sample for genotyping. We examined data for differences between the 9 possible SCENTinel odors; effects of age, sex, and race on SCENTinel performance, test-retest variability; and heritability using both structured equation modeling and SNP-based statistical methods. None of these strategies provided evidence for specific anosmia for any of the odors, but ratings of pleasantness were, in part, genetically determined (h2â =â 0.40) and were nominally associated with alleles of odorant receptors (e.g. OR2T33 and OR1G1; Pâ <â 0.001). These results provide evidence that using odorant mixtures protected against effects of specific anosmia for ratings of intensity but that ratings of pleasantness showed effects of inheritance, possibly informed by olfactory receptor genotypes.
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Odorantes , Olfato , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Adulto , Odorantes/análisis , Olfato/fisiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Trastornos del Olfato/diagnóstico , Trastornos del Olfato/genética , Adulto Joven , Percepción Olfatoria , Anciano , Genotipo , Anosmia/diagnóstico , Anosmia/genéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Some preliminary research suggests higher rates of gastrointestinal disease in individuals with eating disorders (EDs). However, research is limited, and it remains unknown what etiologic factors account for observed associations. This was the first study to examine how EDs and dimensional ED symptoms (e.g. body dissatisfaction, binge eating) are phenotypically and etiologically associated with gastrointestinal disease in a large, population-based twin sample. METHODS: Adult female (N = 2980) and male (N = 2903) twins from the Michigan State University Twin Registry reported whether they had a lifetime ED (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder) and completed a measure of dimensional ED symptoms. We coded the presence/absence of lifetime gastrointestinal disease (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease) based on responses to questions regarding chronic illnesses and medications. We first examined whether twins with gastrointestinal disease had higher rates of EDs and ED symptoms, then used correlated factors twin models to investigate genetic and environmental contributions to the overlap between disorders. RESULTS: Twins with gastrointestinal disease had significantly greater dimensional ED symptoms (ß = 0.21, p < 0.001) and odds of a lifetime ED (OR 2.90, p = 0.001), regardless of sex. Shared genetic factors fully accounted for the overlap between disorders, with no significant sex differences in etiologic associations. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity between EDs and gastrointestinal disease may be explained by overlap in genetic influences, potentially including inflammatory genes implicated in both types of disorders. Screening for gastrointestinal disease in people with EDs, and EDs in those with gastrointestinal disease, is warranted.
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Anorexia Nerviosa , Trastorno por Atracón , Bulimia Nerviosa , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales , Adulto , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos/epidemiología , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos/genética , Bulimia Nerviosa/epidemiología , Bulimia Nerviosa/genética , Bulimia Nerviosa/diagnóstico , Anorexia Nerviosa/genética , Trastorno por Atracón/genética , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/genéticaRESUMEN
Subjective health ratings are associated with dementia risk such that those who rate their health more poorly have increased risk for dementia. The genetic and environmental mechanisms underlying this association are unclear, as prior research cannot rule out whether the association is due to genetic confounds. The current study addresses this gap in two samples of twins, one from Sweden (N = 548) and one from Denmark (N = 4,373). Using genetically-informed, bivariate regression models, we assessed whether additive genetic effects explained the association between subjective health and dementia risk as indexed by a latent variable proxy measure. Age at intake, sex, education, depressive symptomatology, and follow-up time between subjective health and dementia risk assessments were included as covariates. Results indicate that genetic variance and other sources of confounding accounted for the majority of the effect of subjective health ratings on dementia risk. After adjusting for genetic confounding and other covariates, a small correlation was observed between subjective health and latent dementia risk in the Danish sample (rE = - .09, p < .05). The results provide further support for the genetic association between subjective health and dementia risk, and also suggest that subjective ratings of health measures may be useful for predicting dementia risk.
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Envejecimiento , Demencia , Humanos , Demencia/genética , Femenino , Masculino , Suecia , Dinamarca , Anciano , Envejecimiento/genética , Factores de Riesgo , Estado de Salud , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Gemelos Monocigóticos/genética , Estudios Prospectivos , Gemelos Dicigóticos/genética , AutoinformeRESUMEN
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) globally have undergone rapid urbanisation, and changes in demography and health behaviours. In Sri Lanka, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes are now leading causes of mortality. High prevalence of their risk factors, including hypertension, dysglycaemia and obesity have also been observed. Diet is a key modifiable risk factor for both cardio-vascular disease and diabetes as well as their risk factors. Although typically thought of as an environmental risk factor, dietary choice has been shown to be genetically influenced, and genes associated with this behaviour correlate with metabolic risk indicators. We used Structural Equation Model fitting to investigate the aetiology of dietary choices and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in COTASS, a population-based twin and singleton sample in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Participants completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (N = 3934) which assessed frequency of intake of 14 food groups including meat, vegetables and dessert or sweet snacks. Anthropometric (N = 3675) and cardio-metabolic (N = 3477) phenotypes were also collected including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides. Frequency of consumption of most food items was found to be largely environmental in origin with both the shared and non-shared environmental influences indicated. Modest genetic influences were observed for some food groups (e.g. fruits and leafy greens). Cardio-metabolic phenotypes showed moderate genetic influences with some shared environmental influence for Body Mass Index, blood pressure and triglycerides. Overall, it seemed that shared environmental effects were more important for both dietary choices and cardio-metabolic phenotypes compared to populations in the Global North.
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Diabetes Mellitus , Enfermedades Vasculares , Humanos , Sri Lanka/epidemiología , Obesidad/genética , Factores de Riesgo , TriglicéridosRESUMEN
Nutrition and diet are key modifiable risk factors for the rising burden of non-communicable diseases like cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). The nutritional transition in dietary behaviours in LMICs has most likely contributed to this problem. Although traditionally assumed to be environmental, dietary choices are also genetically influenced. Twin study designs can be used to investigate the relative influence of genes and environment on nutrition intake, eating behaviours and associated psychological health. The overall aim of this project is to: provide proof-of-concept for the feasibility of using dietary (biomarker) data within the Children-of-Twin design in nutrition studies, develop laboratory skills and statistical genetic skills and establish a Sri Lankan-specific food composition database. Currently, a pilot study is being conducted with 304 individuals (38 Monozygotic twin pairs, 38 Dizygotic twin pairs and their male or female adult offspring). Questionnaire data on nutritional intake, eating behaviours, psychological well-being, physical health, and bio-specimens are being collected. A Sri Lankan-specific food composition database was developed, training sessions on macro and micro element analysis in biological samples and statistical genetics skills development were conducted and Community Engagement and Involvement programs were carried out in two districts of Sri Lanka.
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Gemelos Dicigóticos , Gemelos Monocigóticos , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Enfermedades en Gemelos/genética , Estudios de Factibilidad , Proyectos Piloto , Gemelos Dicigóticos/genética , Gemelos Monocigóticos/genética , Hijos AdultosRESUMEN
Ninety percent of congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) are X-linked inherited and are caused by mutations in the vasopressin type 2 receptor gene (AVPR2). Most affected individuals are males. Only sporadic female cases have been reported. Here, we first reported a female monozygotic twin with discordant phenotypes for NDI carrying a missense variant c.845T>C (p.Leu282Pro) in exon 4 of AVPR2. Intracellular cAMP concentrations in COS7 cells transfected with AVPR2-L282P were significantly decreased by about 60% compared with those in wild-type AVPR2 plasmid transfected cells, suggesting this variation was pathogenic. The X-inactivation pattern was investigated in peripheral leukocytes and urine sediments in both the unaffected and affected pair. Results showed that the affected pair had a skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) pattern in urine sediments and a random XCI pattern in leukocytes, while the unaffected pair showed a random XCI pattern both in leukocytes and urine sediments. This was the first report of monozygotic twins who developed different phenotypes of NDI. Our study suggested that the development of NDI symptoms is more closely associated with the XCI pattern in urine sediments compared with the XCI pattern in peripheral leukocytes. Analysis of XCI in peripheral leukocytes may not be enough to explore possible mechanisms.
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Diabetes Insípida Nefrogénica , Gemelos Monocigóticos , Femenino , Humanos , Diabetes Insípida Nefrogénica/genética , Exones , Mutación Missense , Receptores de Vasopresinas/genética , Gemelos Monocigóticos/genéticaRESUMEN
Gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) as delivery vehicles has garnered much interest in recent years. There are still significant gaps in our fundamental understanding of the manufacturing processes to deliver sufficient products. Manufacturing efforts of rAAV using HEK293 cells have commonly relied on fixed bed falling film bioreactors like the iCELLis®. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to validate the operating conditions required for a predictive iCELLis® 500 scale-down model. The small-scale and at-scale systems have different flow paths causing validation of the corresponding agitation rates required to achieve the same linear flow through the fixed bed across scales to be non-trivial. Therefore, we used CFD to predict the theoretical scaling relationship. In addition, CFD could predict kLa differences between the two systems and the operating conditions required to match kLa between scales. We also confirmed that the location of DO control must be the same in both systems to achieve proper scaling. Experimental runs confirming the validity of the novel scale-down model showed that based on the modifications to the iCELLis® Nano system, we achieved similar DO, key metabolite, pH, and GC titer trends in both systems.
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Reactores Biológicos , Dependovirus , Terapia Genética , Hidrodinámica , Dependovirus/genética , Humanos , Terapia Genética/métodos , Células HEK293 , Simulación por Computador , Vectores Genéticos/genéticaRESUMEN
Thirty percent of spontaneously occurring twins are monozygotic, of which two-thirds are monochorionic, possessing a single placenta. A common placental mass with shared intertwin placental circulation is key to the development and management of complications unique to monochorionic gestations. In this Consult, we review general considerations and a contemporary approach to twin-twin transfusion syndrome and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, providing management recommendations based on the available evidence. The following are the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommendations: (1) we recommend routine first-trimester sonographic determination of chorionicity and amnionicity (GRADE 1B); (2) we recommend that ultrasound surveillance for twin-twin transfusion syndrome begin at 16 weeks of gestation for all monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies and continue at least every 2 weeks until delivery, with more frequent monitoring indicated with clinical concern (GRADE 1C); (3) we recommend that routine sonographic surveillance for twin-twin transfusion syndrome minimally include assessment of amniotic fluid volumes on both sides of the intertwin membrane and evaluation for the presence or absence of urine-filled fetal bladders, and ideally incorporate Doppler study of the umbilical arteries (GRADE 1C); (4) we recommend fetoscopic laser surgery as the standard treatment for stage II through stage IV twin-twin transfusion syndrome presenting between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation (GRADE 1A); (5) we recommend expectant management with at least weekly fetal surveillance for asymptomatic patients continuing pregnancies complicated by stage I twin-twin transfusion syndrome, and consideration for fetoscopic laser surgery for stage I twin-twin transfusion syndrome presentations between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation complicated by additional factors such as maternal polyhydramnios-associated symptomatology (GRADE 1B); (6) we recommend an individualized approach to laser surgery for early- and late-presenting twin-twin transfusion syndrome (GRADE 1C); (7) we recommend that all patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome qualifying for laser therapy be referred to a fetal intervention center for further evaluation, consultation, and care (Best Practice); (8) after laser therapy, we suggest weekly surveillance for 6 weeks followed by resumption of every-other-week surveillance thereafter, unless concern exists for post-laser twin-twin transfusion syndrome, post-laser twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, or fetal growth restriction (GRADE 2C); (9) following the resolution of twin-twin transfusion syndrome after fetoscopic laser surgery, and without other indications for earlier delivery, we recommend delivery of dual-surviving monochorionic-diamniotic twins at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation (GRADE 1C); (10) in twin-twin transfusion syndrome pregnancies complicated by posttreatment single fetal demise, we recommend full-term delivery (39 weeks) of the surviving co-twin to avoid complications of prematurity unless indications for earlier delivery exist (GRADE 1C); (11) we recommend that fetoscopic laser surgery not influence the mode of delivery (Best Practice); (12) we recommend that prenatal diagnosis of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence minimally require either middle cerebral artery Doppler peak systolic velocity values >1.5 and <1.0 multiples of the median in donor and recipient twins, respectively, or an intertwin Δ middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity >0.5 multiples of the median (GRADE 1C); (13) we recommend that providers consider incorporating middle cerebral artery Doppler peak systolic velocity determinations into all monochorionic twin ultrasound surveillance beginning at 16 weeks of gestation (GRADE 1C); and (14) consultation with a specialized fetal care center is recommended when twin anemia-polycythemia sequence progresses to a more advanced disease stage (stage ≥II) before 32 weeks of gestation or when concern arises for coexisting complications such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (Best Practice).