RESUMEN
The DNA methylation levels of host cell genes increase with the severity of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade and are very high in cervical cancer. Our study aims to evaluate FAM19A4 and hsa-miR124-2 methylation in Atypical Squamous cells with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASC-H) and in CIN1, defined as low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) by the Bethesda classification, as possible early warning biomarkers for managing women with high-risk HPV infections (hrHPV). FAM19A4 and hsa-miR124-2 methylation tests were conducted on fifty-six cervical screening samples from a subset of women aged 30-64 years old. Specimens were collected into ThinPrep PreservCyt Solution. Their HrHPV genotype and cytology diagnosis were known. A Qiasure (Qiagen) was used for FAM19A4 and hsa-miR124-2 methylation testing on bisulfite-converted DNA, according to the manufacturer's specifications. The reported results were hypermethylation-positive or -negative. We found that FAM194A4 and hsa-miR124-2 methylation was detected in 75% of ASC-H cases with a persistent infection of hrHPV. A total of 60% of CIN1 lesions were found to be positive for methylation, and 83.3% were when the cytology was CIN2/3. In addition, as a novelty of this pilot study, we found that combined FAM19A4 and hsa-miR124-2 methylation positivity rates (both methylated) were associated with the HPV genotypes 16, 18, and 59 and covered 22 and 25% of ASC-H and CIN1 cases, respectively. The methylation of these two genes, in combination with HPV genotyping, can be used as an early warning biomarker in the management and follow-up of women with ASC-H and CIN1 to avoid their progression to cervical cancer.
RESUMEN
ß-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and dietary precursor of vitamin A whose role in maintaining mental health and cognitive performance, either alone or in combination with other dietary compounds, has been a topic of recent research. However, its effectiveness is still unclear. This systematic review, conducted according to the PRISMA guideline and assisted by the MySLR platform, addressed this issue. A total of 16 eligible original research articles were identified. Dietary intake or ß-carotene serum levels were associated with improved measures of cognitive function in 7 out of 10 epidemiological studies included. In intervention studies, ß-carotene consumption alone did not promote better cognitive function in the short term, but only in a long-term intervention with a mean duration of 18 years. However, all but one intervention study suggested the beneficial effects of ß-carotene supplementation at doses ranging from 6 mg to 50 mg per day in combination with a multicomplex such as vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, or selenium for a period of 16 weeks to 20 years. Despite the current limitations, the available evidence suggests a potential association between ß-carotene dietary/supplementary intake and the maintenance of cognitive function. The ß-carotene most probably does not act alone but in synergy with other micronutrients.
RESUMEN
One of the major organs in the body with multiple functions is the liver. It plays a central role in the transformation of macronutrients and clearance of chemicals and drugs. The serum biomarkers often used to indicate liver damage are not specifically for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) or liver injury caused by other xenobiotics, nor for viral infection. In this case, microRNAs (miRNAs) could play an exciting role as biomarkers of specific liver damage. In this review, we aimed to update the current literature on liver damage induced by drugs, as acute conditions and viral infections mediated by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) linked these two conditions to advanced research, with a focus on microRNAs as early biomarkers for liver damage. The undoubtable evidence that circulating miR-122 could be used as a human biomarker of DILI came from several studies in which a strong increase of it was linked with the status of liver function. In infancy, there is the possibility of an early miRNA detection for hepatitis B virus infection, but there are a lack of solid models for studying the HVB molecular mechanism of infection in detail, even if miRNAs do hold unrealized potential as biomarkers for early detection of hepatitis B virus infection mediated by HBV.
