A Systematic Review of the Reminiscence Functions Scale and Implications for Use with Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: The Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS) is a widely used robust instrument. While reminiscence-based intervention is one of the most effective nonpharmacological interventions for older adults. This systematic review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the literature that used RFS with older adults, summarizes the main outcomes, and highlights implications for practice. METHODS: This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were eligible if they used RFS and included older adults. Studies were searched from 1993, the year RFS was first published. Electronic databases were searched (Scopus, PsycNET, and Web of Science), from which 44 eligible studies were identified. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: i) predictive value of reminiscence functions regarding well-being, ii) increased frequency of teach/inform and death preparation functions in older adults, iii) key roles of reminiscence functions in coping with critical life events, iv) reminiscence-based interventions should promote positive memories. CONCLUSIONS: The RFS outcomes may improve reminiscence-based interventions, since the functions of reminiscence are key players in older adults daily life. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Reminiscence-based interventions should promote positive memories, which are associated with improved well-being. Particularly, it seems a good practice when supporting older adults regarding critical and traumatic events.

Impact of Pectoralis Nerve Block (PECS) on postoperative pain in patients submitted to mastectomy with lymphadenectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm in women worldwide. Surgery has been traditional treatment and, generally, it´s mastectomy with lymphadenectomy, that can causes postoperative pain. Therefore, we seek to study regional anesthesic techniques that can minimize this effect, such as the interpectoral block (PECS). METHODS: randomized controlled study with 82 patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with lymphadenectomy from January 2020 to October 2021 in oncology hospital. INTERVENTIONS: two randomized groups (control - exclusive general anesthesia and PECS group - received PECS block with levobupivacaine/ropivacaine and general anesthesia). We applied a questionnaire with Numeric Rating Scale for pain 24h after surgery. We used Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests, and analyzed the data in R version 4.0.0 (ReBEC). RESULTS: in the PECS group, 50% were pain-free 24h after surgery and in the control group it was 42.86%. The majority who presented pain classified it as mild pain (VAS from 1 to 3) - (42.50%) PECS group and (40.48%) control group (p=0.28). Only 17.50% consumed opioids in the PECS group, similar to the control group with 21.43%. (p=0.65). There was a low rate of complications such as PONV in both groups. In the subgroup analysis, there was no statistical difference between the groups that used levobupivacaine or ropivacaine regarding postoperative pain and opioid consumption. DISCUSSION: the studied group had a low rate of pain in the postoperative period and it influenced the statistical analysis. There wasn´t difference in postoperative pain in groups. CONCLUSION: was not possible to demonstrate better results with the association of the PECS block with total intravenous analgesia. Need further studies to assess the efficacy of the nerve block.

Temporal trend analysis of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths due to female breast cancer in the state of Alagoas from 2009 to 2019: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a common neoplasm in women worldwide. Its varying patterns of incidence and clinical prognosis in Brazil make it an important and complex public health problem that needs to be solved. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the temporal dynamics of hospital admissions and deaths due to female breast cancer in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study including secondary data from hospital admissions and deaths due to female breast cancer in Alagoas. METHODS: A joinpoint regression model was constructed for temporal analysis of hospital admissions and deaths due to female breast cancer in Alagoas, over this period. The hospital information system of the Department of Informatics of the National Health System was used. RESULTS: There were 5,801 hospitalizations and 633 hospital deaths due to neoplasm in Alagoas over the period. The age group from 50 to 59 years old stood out, corresponding to 28.1% of hospitalizations and 31.1% of registered deaths. An increasing trend in the rate of hospital admissions was observed (average annual percentage change, AAPC = 14.0; P-value < 0.001), from 14.9/100,000 inhabitants in 2009 to 53.6 in 2019. There was a growth trend in the in-hospital mortality rate (AAPC = 19.8; P-value < 0.001), from 6.3% in 2009 to 11.0% in 2019. CONCLUSION: The results indicated an increasing trend of hospital admissions and mortality rates in the state of Alagoas, with a higher percentage of hospitalizations and deaths in the 50-59 age group.

Can inflammasomes promote the pathophysiology of glioblastoma multiforme? A view about the potential of the anti-inflammasome therapy as pharmacological target.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with one of the worst general survivorship cases among the existing neoplasia. This aggressiveness is due to its complex molecular heterogeneity, immunohistochemistry and genetics. The current therapeutic approach brings little contribution to the improvement of the survival of the patients. Due to that, new forms of treatment have been explored, one of them being immunotherapy. In this aspect, the inflammasome pathway, which induces inflammation and immunosuppressive tumor response, contributing to the progression of the tumor, seems to be a new alternative to improve the treatment efficacy and the survival of the patients.

Temporal trend analysis of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths due to female breast cancer in the state of Alagoas from 2009 to 2019: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a common neoplasm in women worldwide. Its varying patterns of incidence and clinical prognosis in Brazil make it an important and complex public health problem that needs to be solved. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the temporal dynamics of hospital admissions and deaths due to female breast cancer in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study including secondary data from hospital admissions and deaths due to female breast cancer in Alagoas. METHODS: A joinpoint regression model was constructed for temporal analysis of hospital admissions and deaths due to female breast cancer in Alagoas, over this period. The hospital information system of the Department of Informatics of the National Health System was used. RESULTS: There were 5,801 hospitalizations and 633 hospital deaths due to neoplasm in Alagoas over the period. The age group from 50 to 59 years old stood out, corresponding to 28.1% of hospitalizations and 31.1% of registered deaths. An increasing trend in the rate of hospital admissions was observed (average annual percentage change, AAPC = 14.0; P-value < 0.001), from 14.9/100,000 inhabitants in 2009 to 53.6 in 2019. There was a growth trend in the in-hospital mortality rate (AAPC = 19.8; P-value < 0.001), from 6.3% in 2009 to 11.0% in 2019. CONCLUSION: The results indicated an increasing trend of hospital admissions and mortality rates in the state of Alagoas, with a higher percentage of hospitalizations and deaths in the 50-59 age group.

Impact of Pectoralis Nerve Block (PECS) on postoperative pain in patients submitted to mastectomy with lymphadenectomy / Impacto do Bloqueio Peitoral (PEC) na dor pós-operatória em pacientes submetidos a mastectomia com linfadenectomia

ABSTRACT Objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm in women worldwide. Surgery has been traditional treatment and, generally, it´s mastectomy with lymphadenectomy, that can causes postoperative pain. Therefore, we seek to study regional anesthesic techniques that can minimize this effect, such as the interpectoral block (PECS). Methods: randomized controlled study with 82 patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with lymphadenectomy from January 2020 to October 2021 in oncology hospital. Interventions: two randomized groups (control - exclusive general anesthesia and PECS group - received PECS block with levobupivacaine/ropivacaine and general anesthesia). We applied a questionnaire with Numeric Rating Scale for pain 24h after surgery. We used Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests, and analyzed the data in R version 4.0.0 (ReBEC). Results: in the PECS group, 50% were pain-free 24h after surgery and in the control group it was 42.86%. The majority who presented pain classified it as mild pain (VAS from 1 to 3) - (42.50%) PECS group and (40.48%) control group (p=0.28). Only 17.50% consumed opioids in the PECS group, similar to the control group with 21.43%. (p=0.65). There was a low rate of complications such as PONV in both groups. In the subgroup analysis, there was no statistical difference between the groups that used levobupivacaine or ropivacaine regarding postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Discussion: the studied group had a low rate of pain in the postoperative period and it influenced the statistical analysis. There wasn´t difference in postoperative pain in groups. Conclusion: was not possible to demonstrate better results with the association of the PECS block with total intravenous analgesia. Need further studies to assess the efficacy of the nerve block.

RESUMO Introdução: o câncer de mama é a neoplasia maligna mais comum em mulheres no mundo. A cirurgia tem sido o tratamento tradicional e, geralmente consiste em mastectomia com linfadenectomia, podendo causar dor pós-operatória. Por isso, buscamos estudar técnicas anestésicas regionais que possam minimizar esse efeito, como o bloqueio interpeitoral (PEC). Métodos: estudo controlado randomizado com 82 pacientes com câncer de mama submetidos à mastectomia com linfadenectomia de Janeiro de 2020 a Outubro de 2021, em hospital oncológico. Intervenções: dois grupos randomizados (controle - anestesia geral exclusiva e grupo PECS - anestesia geral e bloqueio PEC com levobupivacaína/ropivacaína). Aplicou-se um questionário com Escala Visual Analógica da dor 24h pós-cirurgia. Utilizamos os testes de Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney e Quiquadrado e analisamos os dados em R versão 4.0.0. Estudo registrado em Ensaios Clínicos Brasileiros (REBec). Resultados: no grupo PEC, 50% não apresentava dor 24 horas após a cirurgia enquanto no grupo controle, 42,86% negava quadro álgico. A maioria que apresentou dor classificou-a como dor leve (EVA de 1 a 3) - (42,50%) grupo PEC e (40,48%) controle (p=0,28). Apenas 17,50% consumiram opioides no grupo PEC, semelhante ao grupo controle com 21,43%. (p=0,65), (17,50%) grupo PEC e (21,43%) grupo controle (p=0,65). Houve baixo índice de complicações como PONV (náuseas, vômitos, cefaleia) em ambos os grupos. Na análise de subgrupo, não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos que usaram Levobupivacaína ou Ropivacaína quanto a dor pós-operatória e o consumo de opioides. Discussão: o grupo estudado apresentou baixa taxa de dor no pós-operatório e isso influenciou na análise estatística. Não houve diferença estatística quanto a dor pós-operatória entre grupos. Conclusão: não foi possível demonstrar melhores resultados com a associação do bloqueio PEC com analgesia intravenosa total. São necessários novos estudos para avaliar a eficácia do bloqueio anestésico no intraoperatório e pós-operatório.

Putative pathogen-selected polymorphisms in the PKLR gene are associated with mycobacterial susceptibility in Brazilian and African populations.

Pyruvate kinase (PK), encoded by the PKLR gene, is a key player in glycolysis controlling the integrity of erythrocytes. Due to Plasmodium selection, mutations for PK deficiency, which leads to hemolytic anemia, are associated with resistance to malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and with susceptibility to intracellular pathogens in experimental models. In this case-control study, we enrolled 4,555 individuals and investigated whether PKLR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) putatively selected for malaria resistance are associated with susceptibility to leprosy across Brazil (Manaus-North; Salvador-Northeast; Rondonópolis-Midwest and Rio de Janeiro-Southeast) and with tuberculosis in Mozambique. Haplotype T/G/G (rs1052176/rs4971072/rs11264359) was associated with leprosy susceptibility in Rio de Janeiro (OR = 2.46, p = 0.00001) and Salvador (OR = 1.57, p = 0.04), and with tuberculosis in Mozambique (OR = 1.52, p = 0.07). This haplotype downregulates PKLR expression in nerve and skin, accordingly to GTEx, and might subtly modulate ferritin and haptoglobin levels in serum. Furthermore, we observed genetic signatures of positive selection in the HCN3 gene (xpEHH>2 -recent selection) in Europe but not in Africa, involving 6 SNPs which are PKLR/HCN3 eQTLs. However, this evidence was not corroborated by the other tests (FST, Tajima's D and iHS). Altogether, we provide evidence that a common PKLR locus in Africans contribute to mycobacterial susceptibility in African descent populations and also highlight, for first, PKLR as a susceptibility gene for leprosy and TB.

Prevalence of IGFBP3, NOS3 and TCF7L2 polymorphisms and their association with hypertension: a population-based study with Brazilian women of African descent.

OBJECTIVE: African ancestry seems to be a risk factor for hypertension; however, few genetic studies have addressed this issue. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of polymorphisms NOS3; rs1799983, IGFBP3; rs11977526 and TCF7L2; rs7903146 in Brazilian women of African descent and their association with hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalences of the less frequent genotypes were 26.5% TT genotype of NOS3; rs1799983, 16.7% AA genotype of IGFBP3; rs11977526, and 18.3% TT genotype of TCF7L2; rs7903146. For these conditions, the prevalence of hypertension and PR (adjusted) relatively to the ancestral genotype were, respectively: 52.0% vs 24.5% (PR = 1.54; p < 0.001), 62.0% vs 24.1% (PR = 1.59; p < 0.001), and 38.9% vs 27.9% (PR = 0.86; p = 0.166). Associations with hypertension were statistically significant, except for the TCF7L2; rs7903146 polymorphism, after adjusted analysis. Brazilian Afro-descendant women with the TT genotype for the NOS3 gene and the AA genotype for the IGFBP3 gene are more susceptible to hypertension. The understanding of underlying mechanisms involving the pathogenesis of hypertension can motivate research for the development of new therapeutic targets related to nitric oxide metabolism and the management of oxidative stress.

Correlation between circadian rhythm related genes, type 2 diabetes, and cancer: Insights from metanalysis of transcriptomics data.

Clock genes work as an auto-regulated transcription-translational loop of circadian genes that drives the circadian rhythms in each cell and they are essential to physiological requests. Since metabolism is a dynamic process, it involves several physiological variables that circadian cycling. The clock genes alterations can affect multiple systems concomitantly, because they constitute the promoter factors for relevant metabolic pathways. Considering the intertwined structure of signaling, regulatory, and metabolic processes within a cell, we employed a genome-scale biomolecular network. Accordingly, a meta-analysis of diabetic-associated transcriptomic datasets was performed, and the core information on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was obtained by statistical analyses. In the current study, meta-analysis was performed on type 2 diabetes, circadian rhythm-related genes, and breast, bladder, liver, pancreas, colon and rectum cancer-associated transcriptome data using the integration of gene expression profiles with genome-scale biomolecular networks in diabetes samples. First, we detected downregulated and upregulated DEGs in mouse cortex and hypothalamus samples of mice with sleep deprivation. In summary, upregulated genes active genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, cancer and diabetes, mainly in hypothalamus specimens. In cortex, we observed mainly downregulation of immune system. DEGs were combined with 214 circadian rhythm related genes to type 2 DM and cancer samples. We observed that several common genes deregulated in both diseases. Klf10, Ntkr3, Igf1, Usp2, Ezh2 were both downregulated in type 2 DM and cancer samples, while Arntl2 and Agrp were upregulated. It seems that the changes in mRNA are contributing to the phenotypic changes in type 2 DM, resulting in phenotypic changes associated with the malignant transformation. Taking those genes to perform a survival analysis, we found only Igf1, Usp2 and Arntl2 genes associated with patient outcomes. While Igf1 and Usp2 downregulation had a negative impact, Arntl2 upregulation was associated with poor survival both in BLCA and BRCA cancer samples. Our data stimulate efforts in news studies to achieve the experimental and clinical validation about these biomolecules.

Epidemiological, temporal and spatial dynamics of leprosy in a municipality in northeastern Brazil (2008-2017): an ecological study.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, temporal, and spatial dynamics ofleprosy in a municipality in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: This is an ecological study on new leprosy cases in the population of Arapiraca (Alagoas, Northeast Region, Brazil), from 2008 to 2017. Data extracted from a national database were analyzed forepidemiological indicators, factors associated with physical disabilities, and spatialanalysis in the neighborhoods of Arapiraca. RESULTS: A total of 292 new cases of leprosy were recorded, particularly occurring among the following groups: women, the age group of 46-59 years, brown-skinned individuals, people with less than eight years of schooling, and urban residents; the new cases were also predominantly the tuberculoid form and were of the paucibacillary classification of the disease. Almost 1/3 of the people had some degree of physical disability, which was mainly associated with the group 60 years of age and older, black ethnicity, and the multibacillary clinical form of leprosy. The joinpoint regression showed a stationary temporal behavior of indicators. There was a heterogeneous spatial distribution with active transmission areas, especially in the neighborhoods Primavera, Baixão, Ouro Preto, and downtown. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological indicators revealed complexity in the process of leprosy development. These spatial and temporal studies are relevant to help in the planning, monitoring, and guidance of interventions in the municipality. The spatial analysis showed heterogeneous distribution in the analyzed neighborhoods.

Epidemiological, temporal and spatial dynamics of leprosy in a municipality in northeastern Brazil (2008-2017): an ecological study

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, temporal, and spatial dynamics ofleprosy in a municipality in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: This is an ecological study on new leprosy cases in the population of Arapiraca (Alagoas, Northeast Region, Brazil), from 2008 to 2017. Data extracted from a national database were analyzed forepidemiological indicators, factors associated with physical disabilities, and spatialanalysis in the neighborhoods of Arapiraca. RESULTS: A total of 292 new cases of leprosy were recorded, particularly occurring among the following groups: women, the age group of 46-59 years, brown-skinned individuals, people with less than eight years of schooling, and urban residents; the new cases were also predominantly the tuberculoid form and were of the paucibacillary classification of the disease. Almost 1/3 of the people had some degree of physical disability, which was mainly associated with the group 60 years of age and older, black ethnicity, and the multibacillary clinical form of leprosy. The joinpoint regression showed a stationary temporal behavior of indicators. There was a heterogeneous spatial distribution with active transmission areas, especially in the neighborhoods Primavera, Baixão, Ouro Preto, and downtown. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological indicators revealed complexity in the process of leprosy development. These spatial and temporal studies are relevant to help in the planning, monitoring, and guidance of interventions in the municipality. The spatial analysis showed heterogeneous distribution in the analyzed neighborhoods.

Correlation between renin-angiotensin system (RAS) related genes, type 2 diabetes, and cancer: Insights from metanalysis of transcriptomics data.

Although studies have provided significant evidence about the role of RAS in mediating cancer risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), conclusions about the central molecular mechanisms underlying this disease remain to be reached, because this type of information requires an integrative multi-omics approach. In the current study, meta-analysis was performed on type 2 diabetes and breast, bladder, liver, pancreas, colon and rectum cancer-associated transcriptome data, and reporter biomolecules were identified at RNA, protein, and metabolite levels using the integration of gene expression profiles with genome-scale biomolecular networks in diabetes samples. This approach revealed that RAS biomarkers could be associated with cancer initiation and progression, which include metabolites (particularly, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and ABC transporters) as novel biomarker candidates and potential therapeutic targets. We detected downregulation and upregulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in blood, pancreatic islets, liver and skeletal muscle from normal and diabetic patients. DEGs were combined with 211 renin-angiotensin-system related genes. Upregulated genes were enriched using Pathway analysis of cancer in pancreatic islets, blood and skeletal muscle samples. It seems that the changes in mRNA are contributing to the phenotypic changes in carcinogenesis, or that they are as a result of the phenotypic changes associated with the malignant transformation. Our analyses showed that Ctsg and Ednrb are downregulated in cancer samples. However, by immunohistochemistry experiments we observed that EDNRB protein showed increased expression in tumor samples. It is true that alterations in mRNA expression do not always reflect alterations in protein expression, since post-translational changes can occur in proteins. In this study, we report valuable data for further experimental and clinical analysis, because the proposed biomolecules have significant potential as systems biomarkers for screening or for therapeutic purposes in type 2 diabetes and cancer-associated pathways.

Schwann cell reprogramming and lung cancer progression: a meta-analysis of transcriptome data.

Schwann cells were identified in the tumor surrounding area prior to initiate the invasion process underlying connective tissue. These cells promote cancer invasion through direct contact, while paracrine signaling and matrix remodeling are not sufficient to proceed. Considering the intertwined structure of signaling, regulatory, and metabolic processes within a cell, we employed a genome-scale biomolecular network. Accordingly, a meta-analysis of Schwann cells associated transcriptomic datasets was performed, and the core information on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was obtained by statistical analyses. Gene set over-representation analyses was performed on core DEGs to identify significantly functional and pathway enrichment analysis between Schwann cells and, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). DEGs were further integrated with genome-scale human biomolecular networks. miRNAs were proposed by the reconstruction of a transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory network. Moreover, microarray-based transcriptome profiling was performed, and the prognostic power of selected dedifferentiated Schwann cell biomolecules was predicted. We observed that pathways associated with Schwann cells dedifferentiation was overexpressed in lung cancer samples. However, genes associated with Schwann cells migration inhibition system were downregulated. Besides, miRNA targeting those pathways were also deregulated. In this study, we report valuable data for further experimental and clinical analysis, because the proposed biomolecules have significant potential as systems biomarkers for screening or for therapeutic purposes in perineural invasion of lung cancer.

Genetic polymorphisms of the IL6 and NOD2 genes are risk factors for inflammatory reactions in leprosy.

The pathways that trigger exacerbated immune reactions in leprosy could be determined by genetic variations. Here, in a prospective approach, both genetic and non-genetic variables influencing the amount of time before the development of reactional episodes were studied using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and the genetic effect was estimated by the Cox proportional-hazards regression model. In a sample including 447 leprosy patients, we confirmed that gender (male), and high bacillary clinical forms are risk factors for leprosy reactions. From the 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 8 candidate genes genotyped (TNF/LTA, IFNG, IL10, TLR1, NOD2, SOD2, and IL6) we observed statistically different survival curves for rs751271 at the NOD2 and rs2069845 at the IL6 genes (log-rank p-values = 0.002 and 0.023, respectively), suggesting an influence on the amount of time before developing leprosy reactions. Cox models showed associations between the SNPs rs751271 at NOD2 and rs2069845 at IL6 with leprosy reactions (HRGT = 0.45, p = 0.002; HRAG = 1.88, p = 0.0008, respectively). Finally, IL-6 and IFN-γ levels were confirmed as high, while IL-10 titers were low in the sera of reactional patients. Rs751271-GT genotype-bearing individuals correlated (p = 0.05) with lower levels of IL-6 in sera samples, corroborating the genetic results. Although the experimental size may be considered a limitation of the study, the findings confirm the association of classical variables such as sex and clinical forms with leprosy, demonstrating the consistency of the results. From the results, we conclude that SNPs at the NOD2 and IL6 genes are associated with leprosy reactions as an outcome. NOD2 also has a clear functional pro-inflammatory link that is coherent with the exacerbated responses observed in these patients.

Age-Dependent Association of TNFSF15/TNFSF8 Variants and Leprosy Type 1 Reaction.

A current major challenge in leprosy control is the prevention of permanent disabilities. Host pathological inflammatory responses termed type 1 reaction (T1R) are a leading cause of nerve damage for leprosy patients. The environmental or inherited factors that predispose leprosy cases to undergo T1R are not known. However, studies have shown an important contribution of host genetics for susceptibility to T1R. We have previously identified variants encompassing the TNFSF15/TNFSF8 genes as T1R risk factors in a Vietnamese sample and replicated this association in a Brazilian sample. However, we failed to validate in Brazilian patients the strong association of TNFSF15/TNFSF8 markers rs6478108 and rs7863183 with T1R that we had observed in Vietnamese patients. Here, we investigated if the lack of validation of these variants was due to age-dependent effects on association using four independent population samples, two from Brazil and two from Vietnam. In the combined analysis across the four samples, we observed a strong association of the TNFSF15/TNFSF8 variants rs6478108, rs7863183, and rs3181348 with T1R (pcombined = 1.5E-05, pcombined = 1.8E-05, and pcombined = 6.5E-06, respectively). However, the association of rs6478108 with T1R was more pronounced in leprosy cases under 30 years of age compared to the global sample [odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54-2.46, pcombined = 2.5E-08 versus OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.23-1.73, pcombined = 1.5E-05]. A multivariable analysis indicated that the association of rs6478108 with T1R was independent of either rs7863183 or rs3181348. These three variants are known regulators of the TNFSF8 gene transcription level in multiple tissues. The age dependency of association of rs6478108 and T1R suggests that the genetic control of gene expression varies across the human life span.

A genome wide association study identifies a lncRna as risk factor for pathological inflammatory responses in leprosy.

Leprosy Type-1 Reactions (T1Rs) are pathological inflammatory responses that afflict a sub-group of leprosy patients and result in peripheral nerve damage. Here, we employed a family-based GWAS in 221 families with 229 T1R-affect offspring with stepwise replication to identify risk factors for T1R. We discovered, replicated and validated T1R-specific associations with SNPs located in chromosome region 10p21.2. Combined analysis across the three independent samples resulted in strong evidence of association of rs1875147 with T1R (p = 4.5x10-8; OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.32-1.80). The T1R-risk locus was restricted to a lncRNA-encoding genomic interval with rs1875147 being an eQTL for the lncRNA. Since a genetic overlap between leprosy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been detected, we evaluated if the shared genetic control could be traced to the T1R endophenotype. Employing the results of a recent IBD GWAS meta-analysis we found that 10.6% of IBD SNPs available in our dataset shared a common risk-allele with T1R (p = 2.4x10-4). This finding points to a substantial overlap in the genetic control of clinically diverse inflammatory disorders.

A genome wide association study identifies a IncRna as risk factor for pathological inflammatory responses in leprosy

Leprosy Type-1 Reactions (T1Rs) are pathological inflammatory responses that afflict a sub-group of leprosy patients and result in peripheral nerve damage. Here, we employed a family-based GWAS in 221 families with 229 T1R-affect offspring with stepwise replication to identify risk factors for T1R. We discovered, replicated and validated T1R-specific associations with SNPs located in chromosome region 10p21.2. Combined analysis across the three independent samples resulted in strong evidence of association of rs1875147 with T1R (p = 4.5x10-8; OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.32-1.80). The T1R-risk locus was restricted to a lncRNA-encoding genomic interval with rs1875147 being an eQTL for the lncRNA. Since a genetic overlap between leprosy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been detected, we evaluated if the shared genetic control could be traced to the T1R endophenotype. Employing the results of a recent IBD GWAS meta-analysis we found that 10.6% of IBD SNPs available in our dataset shared a common risk-allele with T1R (p = 2.4x10-4). This finding points to a substantial overlap in the genetic control of clinically diverse inflammatory disorders.

Association of IL10 Polymorphisms and Leprosy: A Meta-Analysis.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that depends on the interplay of several factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in host immune related genes have been consistently suggested as participants in susceptibility towards disease. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a crucial immunomodulatory cytokine in mycobacterial pathogenesis and especially the -819C>T SNP (rs1800871) has been tested in several case-control studies indicating association with leprosy risk, although a recent consensus estimate is still missing. In this study, we evaluated the association of the -819C>T SNP and leprosy in two new Brazilian family-based populations. Then, we performed meta-analysis for this polymorphism summarizing published studies including these Brazilian family-based groups. Finally, we also retrieved published studies for other distal and proximal IL10 polymorphisms: -3575 T>A (rs1800890), -2849 G>A (rs6703630), -2763 C>A (rs6693899), -1082 G>A (rs1800896) and -592 C>A (rs1800872). Results from meta-analysis supported a significant susceptibility association for the -819T allele, with pooled Odds Ratio of 1.22 (CI = 1.11-1.34) and P-value = 3x10(-5) confirming previous data. This result remained unaltered after inclusion of the Brazilian family-based groups (OR = 1.2, CI = 1.10-1.31, P-value = 2x10(-5)). Also, meta-analysis confirmed association of -592 A allele and leprosy outcome (OR = 1.24, CI = 1.03-1.50, P-value = 0.02). In support of this, linkage disequilibrium analysis in 1000 genomes AFR, EUR, ASN and AMR populations pointed to r(2) = 1.0 between the -592C>A and -819C>T SNPs. We found no evidence of association for the other IL10 polymorphisms analyzed for leprosy outcome. Our results reinforce the role of the -819C>T as a tag SNP (rs1800871) and its association with leprosy susceptibility.

NOD2 and CCDC122-LACC1 genes are associated with leprosy susceptibility in Brazilians.

Leprosy is a complex disease with phenotypes strongly influenced by genetic variation. A Chinese genome-wide association study (GWAS) depicted novel genes and pathways associated with leprosy susceptibility, only partially replicated by independent studies in different ethnicities. Here, we describe the results of a validation and replication study of the Chinese GWAS in Brazilians, using a stepwise strategy that involved two family-based and three independent case-control samples, resulting in 3,614 individuals enrolled. First, we genotyped a family-based sample for 36 tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of five genes located in four different candidate loci: CCDC122-LACC1, NOD2, TNFSF15 and RIPK2. Association between leprosy and tag SNPs at NOD2 (rs8057431) and CCDC122-LACC1 (rs4942254) was then replicated in three additional, independent samples (combined OR(AA) = 0.49, P = 1.39e-06; OR(CC) = 0.72, P = 0.003, respectively). These results clearly implicate the NOD2 pathway in the regulation of leprosy susceptibility across diverse populations.

Pre-miR-146a (rs2910164 G>C) single nucleotide polymorphism is genetically and functionally associated with leprosy.

Mycobacterium leprae infects macrophages and Schwann cells inducing a gene expression program to facilitate its replication and progression to disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and could be involved during the infection. To address the genetic influence of miRNAs in leprosy, we enrolled 1,098 individuals and conducted a case-control analysis in order to study four miRNAs genes containing single nucleotide polymorphism (miRSNP). We tested miRSNP-125a (rs12975333 G>T), miRSNP-223 (rs34952329 *>T), miRSNP-196a-2 (rs11614913 C>T) and miRSNP-146a (rs2910164 G>C). Amongst them, miRSNP-146a was the unique gene associated with risk to leprosy per se (GC OR = 1.44, p = 0.04; CC OR = 2.18, p = 0.0091). We replicated this finding showing that the C-allele was over-transmitted (p = 0.003) using a transmission-disequilibrium test. A functional analysis revealed that live M. leprae (MOI 100:1) was able to induce miR-146a expression in THP-1 (p<0.05). Furthermore, pure neural leprosy biopsies expressed augmented levels of that miRNA as compared to biopsy samples from neuropathies not related with leprosy (p = 0.001). Interestingly, carriers of the risk variant (C-allele) produce higher levels of mature miR-146a in nerves (p = 0.04). From skin biopsies, although we observed augmented levels of miR-146a, we were not able to correlate it with a particular clinical form or neither host genotype. MiR-146a is known to modulate TNF levels, thus we assessed TNF expression (nerve biopsies) and released by peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with BCG Moreau. In both cases lower TNF levels correlates with subjects carrying the risk C-allele, (p = 0.0453 and p = 0.0352; respectively), which is consistent with an immunomodulatory role of this miRNA in leprosy.