Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a candidate molecule for influencing the clinical response to antidepressant treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between ...the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene and the response to mirtazapine in 243 Korean subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). The reduction in the Hamilton Depression score over the 8-week treatment period was not influenced by BDNF V66M genotypes. A marginal effect of genotype on somatic anxiety score was observed at baseline (P = 0.047 in the dominant model). However, genotype–time interaction had no effect on somatic anxiety score after the 8-week a treatment period. Plasma BDNF levels tended to increase during mirtazapine treatment, although without statistical significance (P = 0.055). After 8 weeks of mirtazapine treatment, plasma BDNF levels were higher in Met allele homozygotes (1499.7 ± 370.6 ng/mL) than in Val allele carriers (649.7 ± 158.5 ng/mL, P = 0.049). Our results do not support the hypothesis that the Val66Met promoter polymorphism in the BDNF gene influences the therapeutic response to mirtazapine in Korean MDD patients. However, our data indicate that this polymorphism results in increased plasma BDNF after mirtazapine treatment.
Sex Differences in Atrial Fibrillation Andrade, Jason G.; Deyell, Marc W.; Lee, Andrea Y.K. ...
Canadian journal of cardiology,
April 2018, 2018-04-00, 20180401, Volume:
34, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by exacerbations and remissions. It remains the most common sustained arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, and represents a ...major burden to health care systems. Similar to other cardiovascular conditions, significant sex-specific differences have been observed in the epidemiology (lower rate of prevalence in women, women present at a later age), pathophysiology (sex-related differences in AF triggers and substrate), clinical presentation (women are more likely symptomatic, with relatively more severe symptoms), and natural history. Moreover, similar to other cardiovascular conditions there are substantial sex-specific differences in the management of AF, with women being significantly less likely to receive therapeutic anticoagulation, attempts at rhythm control, or undergo invasive cardiovascular procedures. The purpose of this review is to explore these sex-specific differences.
La fibrillation auriculaire (FA) est une maladie chronique évolutive qui est caractérisée par des périodes d’exacerbation et de rémission. Elle demeure l’arythmie soutenue la plus fréquemment observée dans la pratique clinique et constitue un fardeau considérable pour les systèmes de soins de santé. Au même titre que les autres maladies cardiovasculaires, on a observé des différences importantes entre les sexes en ce qui concerne l’épidémiologie (taux de prévalence plus faibles chez les femmes, et à un âge plus avancé), la physiopathologie (différences entre les sexes pour ce qui est des facteurs déclenchants et du substrat de la FA), le tableau clinique (les femmes sont plus susceptibles de présenter des symptômes, voire des symptômes plus graves) et l’évolution naturelle de la maladie. En outre, comme dans les autres maladies cardiovasculaires, les femmes montrent des différences substantielles dans la prise en charge de la FA, puisqu’elles sont beaucoup moins susceptibles de recevoir une anticoagulation thérapeutique, de tenter un traitement régulateur du rythme ou de subir des interventions invasives de chirurgie cardiovasculaire. L’objectif de cette revue est d’examiner ces différences entre les sexes.
A
bstract
We present a search for the charged lepton-flavor-violating decays ϒ(1
S
)
→
ℓ
±
ℓ
′
∓
and radiative charged lepton-flavour-violating decays ϒ(1
S
)
→ γ
ℓ
±
ℓ
′
∓
ℓ
,
ℓ
′ =
e, μ, τ
using ...the 158 million ϒ(2
S
) sample collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB collider. This search uses ϒ(1
S
) mesons produced in ϒ(2
S
)
→ π
+
π
−
ϒ(1
S
) transitions. We do not find any significant signal, so we provide upper limits on the branching fractions at the 90% confidence level.
Identification and mapping of various habitats with sufficient spatial details are essential to support environmental planning and management. Considering the complexity of diverse habitat types in a ...heterogeneous landscape, a context-dependent mapping framework is expected to be superior to traditional classification techniques. With the aim to produce a territory-wide habitat map in Hong Kong, a three-stage mapping procedure was developed to identify 21 habitats by combining very-high-resolution satellite images, geographic information system (GIS) layers and knowledge-based modification rules. In stage 1, several classification methods were tested to produce initial results with 11 classes from a WorldView-2/3 image mosaic using a combination of spectral, textural, topographic and geometric variables. In stage 2, modification rules were applied to refine the classification results based on contextual properties and ancillary data layers. Evaluation of the classified maps showed that the highest overall accuracy was obtained from pixel-based random forest classification (84.0%) and the implementation of modification rules led to an average 8.8% increase in the accuracy. In stage 3, the classification scheme was expanded to all 21 habitats through the adoption of additional rules. The resulting habitat map achieved >80% accuracy for most of the evaluated classes and >70% accuracy for the mixed habitats when validated using field-collected points. The proposed mapping framework was able to utilize different information sources in a systematic and controllable workflow. While transitional mixed habitats were mapped using class membership probabilities and a soft classification method, the identification of other habitats benefited from the hybrid use of remote-sensing classification and ancillary data. Adaptive implementation of classification procedures, development of appropriate rules and combination with spatial data are recommended when producing an integrated and accurate map.
Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are pluripotent cell lines established from the explanted inner cell mass of human blastocysts. Despite their importance for human embryology and regenerative ...medicine, studies on hES cells, unlike those on mouse ES (mES) cells, have been hampered by difficulties in culture and by scant knowledge concerning the regulatory mechanism. Recent evidence from plants and animals indicates small RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides (nt), collectively named microRNAs, play important roles in developmental regulation. Here we describe 36 miRNAs (from 32 stem-loops) identified by cDNA cloning in hES cells. Importantly, most of the newly cloned miRNAs are specifically expressed in hES cells and downregulated during development into embryoid bodies (EBs), while miRNAs previously reported from other human cell types are poorly expressed in hES cells. We further show that some of the ES-specific miRNA genes are highly related to each other, organized as clusters, and transcribed as polycistronic primary transcripts. These miRNA gene families have murine homologues that have similar genomic organizations and expression patterns, suggesting that they may operate key regulatory networks conserved in mammalian pluripotent stem cells. The newly identified hES-specific miRNAs may also serve as molecular markers for the early embryonic stage and for undifferentiated hES cells.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor prognosis and a high health care burden. The incidence of asthma and COPD overlap syndrome is increasing, and contributes to a ...high financial burden and poor prognosis.
To investigate clinical features of the overlap syndrome among Asian patients and to analyse its impact on hospitalisation due to respiratory problems or death compared to COPD alone.
We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 2933 COPD patients presenting at the Asan Medical Center from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse the significance of clinical parameters, including age, sex, smoking history, body mass index (BMI), severity of airflow limitation, airway obstruction reversibility and overlap syndrome with hospitalisation due to respiratory problems or death.
Overlap syndrome patients were older, included smaller proportions of males and of smokers and had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (% predicted). Shorter hospitalisation-free and survival periods were noted among overlap syndrome patients. Overlap syndrome was significantly associated with risk of hospitalisation due to respiratory problems after adjusting for age, smoking history, BMI, FEV1 (% predicted) and changes in FEV1 (P < 0.001).
Asthma and COPD overlap syndrome is associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation due to respiratory problems than COPD alone.
We determined the complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Korean hairstreak, Coreana raphaelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). The entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) ...molecule was 15 314 bp long. The C. raphaelis genes were in the same order and orientation as the completely sequenced mitogenomes of other lepidopteran species, except for the presence of an extra copy of tRNAsuperscript Ser(AGN). High similarity in primary sequence and secondary structure between the two tandemly located copies of the tRNAsuperscript Ser(AGN) suggest a recent duplication of an original single tRNAsuperscript Ser(AGN). The DHU arm of the two copies of tRNAsuperscript Ser(AGN) formed a simple loop as seen in many other metazoan mt tRNAsuperscript Ser(AGN). The putative initiation codon for the C. raphaelis COI gene appears to be a tetranucleotide, TTAG, found commonly in the sequenced lepidopterans. ATPase8, ATPase6, ND4L and ND6 genes, which are next to another protein-coding gene at their 3prime end all had the sequences potential to form a hairpin structure, suggesting the importance of such a structure for precise cleavage of the mature protein-coding genes.
Background and Aims: Since the publication of the Asia‐Pacific GERD consensus in 2004, more data concerning the epidemiology and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have emerged. An ...evidence based review and update was needed.
Methods: A multidisciplinary group developed consensus statements using the Delphi approach. Relevant data were presented, and the quality of evidence, strength of recommendation, and level of consensus were graded.
Results: GERD is increasing in frequency in Asia. Risk factors include older age, male sex, race, family history, higher socioeconomic status, increased body mass index, and smoking. Symptomatic response to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) test is diagnostic in patients with typical symptoms if alarm symptoms are absent. A negative pH study off therapy excludes GERD if a PPI test fails. The role for narrow band imaging, capsule endoscopy, and wireless pH monitoring has not yet been undefined. Diagnostic strategies in Asia must consider coexistent gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. Weight loss and elevation of head of bed improve reflux symptoms. PPIs are the most effective medical treatment. On‐demand therapy is appropriate for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients. Patients with chronic cough, laryngitis, and typical GERD symptoms should be offered twice daily PPI therapy after excluding non‐GERD etiologies. Fundoplication could be offered to GERD patients when an experienced surgeon is available. Endoscopic treatment of GERD should not be offered outside clinical trials.
Conclusions: Further studies are needed to clarify the role of newer diagnostic modalities and endoscopic therapy. Diagnostic strategies for GERD in Asia must consider coexistent gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. PPIs remain the cornerstone of therapy.
•Lactobacillus plantarum KU5 was identified as the best strain for SMS fermentation.•L. plantarum KU5 and molasses improved fermentability and aerobic stability of SMS.•Ensiling in ton-bag silos ...reduced aerobic stability and increased NH3-N content.
In the first experiment, the effect of two novel Lactobacillus plantarum strains was studied on the fermentation of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) through 10d of ensiling. Based on lactic acid production and lactic acid bacteria population, L. plantarum KU5 was identified as the best strain for fermentation with a 5-L bag silo. Spent mushroom substrate was ensiled with 0.5% (v/w) L. plantarum KU5 without or with 5% molasses. Silages treated with microbial inoculant and molasses had the lowest pH and the highest fermentative odors. In a second set of experiments similar to the above 5-L silo study, the simultaneous application of L. plantarum KU5 inoculant and molasses to 80-L silos improved fermentability and aerobic stability of SMS silages. For similar treatment using ton-bag silos, aerobic stability decreased and NH3-N content increased dramatically. In conclusion, sawdust-based SMS for animal use was successfully ensiled with L. plantarum KU5 inoculant and molasses.
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