| 1. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
-
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
-
In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
|
|
| 2. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
-
Long-range angular correlations on the near and away side in p-Pb collisions at root S-NN=5.02 TeV
- 2013
-
In: Physics Letters. Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-2693. ; 719:1-3, s. 29-41
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Angular correlations between charged trigger and associated particles are measured by the ALICE detector in p-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV for transverse momentum ranges within 0.5 < P-T,P-assoc < P-T,P-trig < 4 GeV/c. The correlations are measured over two units of pseudorapidity and full azimuthal angle in different intervals of event multiplicity, and expressed as associated yield per trigger particle. Two long-range ridge-like structures, one on the near side and one on the away side, are observed when the per-trigger yield obtained in low-multiplicity events is subtracted from the one in high-multiplicity events. The excess on the near-side is qualitatively similar to that recently reported by the CMS Collaboration, while the excess on the away-side is reported for the first time. The two-ridge structure projected onto azimuthal angle is quantified with the second and third Fourier coefficients as well as by near-side and away-side yields and widths. The yields on the near side and on the away side are equal within the uncertainties for all studied event multiplicity and p(T) bins, and the widths show no significant evolution with event multiplicity or p(T). These findings suggest that the near-side ridge is accompanied by an essentially identical away-side ridge. (c) 2013 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 3. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
-
Measurement of prompt J/psi and beauty hadron production cross sections at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV
- 2012
-
In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - 1029-8479. ; :11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ALICE experiment at the LHC has studied J/psi production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV through its electron pair decay on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L-int = 5.6 nb(-1). The fraction of J/psi from the decay of long-lived beauty hadrons was determined for J/psi candidates with transverse momentum p(t) > 1,3 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9. The cross section for prompt J/psi mesons, i.e. directly produced J/psi and prompt decays of heavier charmonium states such as the psi(2S) and chi(c) resonances, is sigma(prompt J/psi) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 8.3 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 1.1 (syst.)(-1.4)(+1.5) (syst. pol.) mu b. The cross section for the production of b-hadrons decaying to J/psi with p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c and vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9 is a sigma(J/psi <- hB) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 1.46 +/- 0.38 (stat.)(-0.32)(+0.26) (syst.) mu b. The results are compared to QCD model predictions. The shape of the p(t) and y distributions of b-quarks predicted by perturbative QCD model calculations are used to extrapolate the measured cross section to derive the b (b) over bar pair total cross section and d sigma/dy at mid-rapidity.
|
|
| 4. |
- Abelev, Betty, et al.
(author)
-
Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at root s=0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC
- 2012
-
In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - 1029-8479. ; :7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at root s = 0 : 9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum p(T),L-T in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different p(T) thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track p(T) threshold considered. Data are compared to PYTHIA 6.4, PYTHIA 8.1 and PHOJET. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed p(T) in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Delgado-Lista, Javier, et al.
(author)
-
Top Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Affecting Carbohydrate Metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome : From the LIPGENE Study
- 2014
-
In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 99:2, s. E384-E389
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a high-prevalence condition characterized by altered energy metabolism, insulin resistance, and elevated cardiovascular risk. Objectives: Although many individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been linked to certain MetS features, there are few studies analyzing the influence of SNPs on carbohydrate metabolism in MetS. Methods: A total of 904 SNPs (tag SNPs and functional SNPs) were tested for influence on 8 fasting and dynamic markers of carbohydrate metabolism, by performance of an intravenous glucose tolerance test in 450 participants in the LIPGENE study. Findings: From 382 initial gene-phenotype associations between SNPs and any phenotypic variables, 61 (16% of the preselected variables) remained significant after bootstrapping. Top SNPs affecting glucose metabolism variables were as follows: fasting glucose, rs26125 (PPARGC1B); fasting insulin, rs4759277 (LRP1); C-peptide, rs4759277 (LRP1); homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance, rs4759277 (LRP1); quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, rs184003 (AGER); sensitivity index, rs7301876 (ABCC9), acute insulin response to glucose, rs290481 (TCF7L2); and disposition index, rs12691 (CEBPA). Conclusions: We describe here the top SNPs linked to phenotypic features in carbohydrate metabolism among approximately 1000 candidate gene variations in fasting and postprandial samples of 450 patients with MetS from the LIPGENE study.
|
|
| 7. |
- Fucho, Raquel, et al.
(author)
-
ASMase regulates autophagy and lysosomal membrane permeabilization and its inhibition prevents early stage non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- 2014
-
In: Journal of Hepatology. - : Elsevier. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 61:5, s. 1126-1134
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aims: Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) is activated in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the contribution of ASMase to NASH is poorly understood and limited to hepatic steatosis and glucose metabolism. Here we examined the role of ASMase in high fat diet (HFD)-induced NASH. Methods: Autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) were determined in ASMase(-/-) mice fed a HFD. The impact of pharmacological ASMase inhibition on NASH was analyzed in wild type mice fed a HFD. Results: ASMase deficiency determined resistance to hepatic steatosis mediated by a HFD or methionine-choline deficient diet. ASMase(-/-) mice were resistant to HFD-induced hepatic ER stress, but sensitive to tunicamycin-mediated ER stress, indicating selectivity in the resistance of ASMase(-/-) mice to ER stress and steatosis. Autophagic flux, determined in the presence of rapamycin and/or chloroquine, was lower in primary mouse hepatocytes (PMH) from ASMase(-/-) mice and accompanied by increased p62 levels, suggesting autophagic impairment. Moreover, autophagy suppression by chloroquine and brefeldin A caused ER stress in PMH from ASMase(+/+) mice but not in ASMase(-/-) mice. ASMase(-/-) PMH exhibited increased lysosomal cholesterol loading, decreased LMP and apoptosis resistance induced by 0-methylserine dodecylamide hydrochloride or palmitic acid, effects that were reversed by decreasing cholesterol levels by oxysterol 25-hydroxycholesterol. In vivo pharmacological ASMase inhibition by amitriptyline, a widely used tricyclic antidepressant, protected wild type mice against HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and liver damage, effects indicative of early-stage NASH, Conclusions: These findings underscore a critical role for ASMase in diet-induced NASH and suggest the potential of amitriptyline as a treatment for patients with NASH.
|
|
| 8. |
- Perez-Martinez, Pablo, et al.
(author)
-
Glucokinase Regulatory Protein Genetic Variant Interacts with Omega-3 PUFA to Influence Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Metabolic Syndrome
- 2011
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 6:6, s. e20555-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Glucokinase Regulatory Protein (GCKR) plays a central role regulating both hepatic triglyceride and glucose metabolism. Fatty acids are key metabolic regulators, which interact with genetic factors and influence glucose metabolism and other metabolic traits. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been of considerable interest, due to their potential to reduce metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk. Objective: To examine whether genetic variability at the GCKR gene locus was associated with the degree of insulin resistance, plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and n-3 PUFA in MetS subjects. Design: Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA-B, plasma concentrations of C-peptide, CRP, fatty acid composition and the GCKR rs1260326-P446L polymorphism, were determined in a cross-sectional analysis of 379 subjects with MetS participating in the LIPGENE dietary cohort. Results: Among subjects with n-3 PUFA levels below the population median, carriers of the common C/C genotype had higher plasma concentrations of fasting insulin (P = 0.019), C-peptide (P = 0.004), HOMA-IR (P = 0.008) and CRP (P = 0.032) as compared with subjects carrying the minor T-allele (Leu446). In contrast, homozygous C/C carriers with n-3 PUFA levels above the median showed lower plasma concentrations of fasting insulin, peptide C, HOMA-IR and CRP, as compared with individuals with the T-allele. Conclusions: We have demonstrated a significant interaction between the GCKR rs1260326-P446L polymorphism and plasma n-3 PUFA levels modulating insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in MetS subjects. Further studies are needed to confirm this gene-diet interaction in the general population and whether targeted dietary recommendations can prevent MetS in genetically susceptible individuals.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
- Da Silva Fariña, Antonio, et al.
(author)
-
XML Schema Based Fault-Set Definition to Improve Fault Injection Tools Interoperability
- 2010
-
In: International Journal of Critical Computer-Based Systems. - : InderScience Publishers. - 1757-8779 .- 1757-8787. ; 1:1-3, s. 220-237
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Software implemented fault injection tools (SWIFI) use fault injectors to carry out the fault injection campaign defined in a GUI-based application. However, the communication between the fault injector and the application is defined in an ad-hoc manner. This paper describes an XML schema formalisation approach for the definition of fault sets which specify low level memory and/or register value corruptions in embedded microprocessor-based systems and resource usage faults in host based systems. Through this proposed XML schema definition, different injectors could be used to carry out the same fault set injection. To validate this approach an experimental tool called Exhaustif®, consisting of a GUI Java application for defining the fault sets and injection policies, one injector for Windows hosts systems and two injectors for Sparc and i386 architectures under RTEMS have been developed.
|
|
| 13. |
- Familiar, Miguel S, et al.
(author)
-
Building service-oriented Smart Infrastructures over Wireless Ad Hoc Sensor Networks : A middleware perspective
- 2012
-
In: Computer Networks. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-1286 .- 1872-7069. ; 56:4, s. 1303-1328
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The increase in physical resources for the next-generation of embedded computing devices, as well as in the efforts carried out by the scientific and research communities, is paving the way for Smart Infrastructures based on Wireless Sensor Networks. In such manner, not only open and formally defined Service-Oriented Frameworks are required, but also efficient middleware technologies that ease the development of new sensor-based services. From the cornerstone analysis of pervasive computing principles applied to Smart Spaces creation, this article presents the μSMS (micro Subscription Management System) middleware. This approach specifies and develops the notion of virtual sensor services created for Smart Environments over sensor networks from tiny in-network services based on agent technology. In the framework of the μSWN European Research Project, this architecture has been validated in a Smart Hospital real-world scenario using a healthcare virtual sensor service. Considering such purpose, medical status monitoring, location tracking and perimeter surveillance agent-based services have been developed. This study is concluded by a comparative analysis of the system considering memory overhead, packet delivery ratio, average end-to-end delay and battery lifetime as evaluation metrics. The results show a lightweight middleware implementation with good overall system and network performance.
|
|
| 14. |
- Fierrez, Julian, et al.
(author)
-
BiosecurID : A Multimodal Biometric Database
- 2010
-
In: Pattern Analysis and Applications. - New York, USA : Springer-Verlag New York. - 1433-7541 .- 1433-755X. ; 13:2, s. 235-246
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new multimodal biometric database, acquired in the framework of the BiosecurID project, is presented together with the description of the acquisition setup and protocol. The database includes eight unimodal biometric traits, namely: speech, iris, face (still images, videos of talking faces), handwritten signature and handwritten text (on-line dynamic signals, off-line scanned images), fingerprints (acquired with two different sensors), hand (palmprint, contour-geometry) and keystroking. The database comprises 400 subjects and presents features such as: realistic acquisition scenario, balanced gender and population distributions, availability of information about particular demographic groups (age, gender, handedness), acquisition of replay attacks for speech and keystroking, skilled forgeries for signatures, and compatibility with other existing databases. All these characteristics make it very useful in research and development of unimodal and multimodal biometric systems. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2009.
|
|
| 15. |
- García-Diz, Luis, et al.
(author)
-
Assessing nutritional status of acute intermittent porphyria patients
- 2012
-
In: European Journal of Clinical Investigation. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0014-2972 .- 1365-2362. ; 42:9, s. 943-952
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a metabolic disease of haem synthesis, whose haem precursors may accumulate in the body. A well-balanced diet may prevent the symptoms, so that porphyric patients should be monitored closely during therapy for possible complications concerning any progression of acute porphyria. The aim was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with AIP and to assess their compliance with nutritional recommendations, comparing the findings with a control group and assessing any possible nutritional deficiency.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with AIP and a control group were evaluated by means of a lifestyle questionnaire, the Nutrition Screening Initiative checklist and a dietary questionnaire. The following diet quality indicators were calculated: animal and vegetal proteins, protein quality index, PUFA/SFA and MUFA + PUFA/SFA ratios, insoluble dietary fibre (DF)/total DF, soluble DF/total DF and insoluble DF/soluble DF ratios, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin density and the vitamin B6/protein ratio.STATISTICAL METHODS: Differences in continuous variables were compared using the unpaired Student's t-test and the chi-square test for nonparametric variables. The odds ratio (OR) of malnutrition was also used.RESULTS: Our patients showed a low intake of carbohydrates, a high lipid intake and very high protein intake, and accompanied by an inadequate intake of zinc, folic acid and tocopherol, increasing the risk of malnutrition for energy, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, folic acid and tocopherols.CONCLUSIONS: The patients with AIP studied individually show an increased risk of malnutrition and, given the potential increase of oxidative stress in patients with porphyria, it is recommended that they should increase their intake of carbohydrates, minerals and antioxidant nutrients.
|
|
| 16. |
- Garcia-Rios, Antonio, et al.
(author)
-
A Period 2 Genetic Variant Interacts with Plasma SFA to Modify Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome
- 2012
-
In: Journal of Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3166 .- 1541-6100. ; 142:7, s. 1213-1218
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic variants of Period 2 (PER2), a circadian clock gene, have been linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, it is still unknown whether these genetic variants interact with the various types of plasma fatty acids. This study investigated whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PER2 locus (rs934945 and rs2304672) interact with various classes of plasma fatty acids to modulate plasma lipid metabolism in 381 participants with MetS in the European LIPGENE study. Interestingly, the rs2304672 SNP interacted with plasma total SFA concentrations to affect fasting plasma TG, TG-rich lipoprotein (TRL-TG), total cholesterol, apoC-II, apoB, and apoB-48 concentrations (P-interaction <0.001-0.046). Carriers of the minor allele (GC+GG) with the highest SFA concentration (>median) had a higher plasma TG concentration (P = 0.001) and higher TRL-TG (P < 0.001) than the CC genotype. In addition, participants carrying the minor G allele for rs2304672 SNP and with a higher SFA concentration (>median) had higher plasma concentrations of apo C-II (P < 0.001), apo C-III (P = 0.009), and apoB-48 (P = 0.028) compared with the homozygotes for the major allele (CC). In summary, the rs2304672 polymorphism in the PER2 gene locus may influence lipid metabolism by interacting with the plasma total SEA concentration in participants with MetS. The understanding of these gene-nutrient interactions could help to provide a better knowledge of the pathogenesis in MetS.
|
|
| 17. |
- Garcia-Rios, Antonio, et al.
(author)
-
Genetic variations at the lipoprotein lipase gene influence plasma lipid concentrations and interact with plasma n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids to modulate lipid metabolism
- 2011
-
In: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9150 .- 1879-1484. ; 218:2, s. 416-422
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate whether seven common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) locus interact with total plasma fatty acids to modulate plasma lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. Methods: Plasma fatty acid composition, plasma lipid concentrations and LPL SNPs were determined in 452 subjects with the MetS in the European LIPGENE human study and were repeated in 1754 subjects from the LIPGENE-SU.VI.MAX Study. Results: Triglycerides (TG) were lower, and HDL higher in the carriers of rs328 and rs1059611 in the SUVIMAX cohort (all P < 0.001), and these findings showed a similar, non-significant trend in LIPGENE cohort. In this last cohort, we found a gene-fatty acids interaction, as the carriers of the minor allele displayed a lower fasting TG and triglyceride rich lipoproteins-TG (TRL-TG) concentrations only when they had n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids below the median (all P < 0.05). Moreover, subjects carrying the minor allele for rs328 SNP and with a low level of n-6 PUFA displayed higher nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) plasma concentrations as compared with homozygous for the major allele (P = 0.034). Interestingly, the n-6 PUFA-dependent associations between those SNPs and TG metabolism were also replicated in subjects without MetS from the SU.VI.MAX cohort. Conclusion: Two genetic variations at the LPL gene (rs328 and rs1059611) influence plasma lipid concentrations and interact with plasma n-6 PUFA to modulate lipid metabolism. The knowledge of new genetic factors together with the understanding of these gene-nutrient interactions could help to a better knowledge of the pathogenesis in the MetS.
|
|
| 18. |
- Hermann, Silke, et al.
(author)
-
Level of education and the risk of lymphoma in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition
- 2010
-
In: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1335 .- 0171-5216. ; 136:1, s. 71-77
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lymphomas belong to the few cancer sites with increasing incidence over past decades, and only a few risk factors have been established. We explored the association between education and the incidence of lymphoma in the prospective EPIC study. Within 3,567,410 person-years of follow-up, 1,319 lymphoma cases [1,253 non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and 66 Hodgkin lymphomas (HL)] were identified. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine the association between highest educational level (primary school or less, technical/professional school, secondary school, university) and lymphoma risk. Overall, no consistent associations between educational level and lymphoma risk were observed; however, associations were found for sub-groups of the cohort. We observed a higher risk of B-NHL (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02-1.68; n = 583) in women with the highest education level (university) but not in men. Concerning sub-classes of B-NHL, a positive association between education and risk of B cell chronic lymphatic leukaemia (BCLL) was observed only in women. In both genders, the risk of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was significantly lower for subjects with university degree (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.27-0.79) versus lowest educational level. No association was found for HL. We could not confirm an overall consistent association of education and risk of HL or NHL in this large prospective study; although, education was positively related to the incidence of BCLL and B-NHL (in women) but inversely to incidence of DLBCL. Due to limited number of cases in sub-classes and the large number of comparisons, the possibility of chance findings can not be excluded.
|
|
| 19. |
- Kilpeläinen, Tuomas O, et al.
(author)
-
Physical activity attenuates the influence of FTO variants on obesity risk: a meta-analysis of 218,166 adults and 19,268 children.
- 2011
-
In: PLoS medicine. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1549-1676 .- 1549-1277. ; 8:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The FTO gene harbors the strongest known susceptibility locus for obesity. While many individual studies have suggested that physical activity (PA) may attenuate the effect of FTO on obesity risk, other studies have not been able to confirm this interaction. To confirm or refute unambiguously whether PA attenuates the association of FTO with obesity risk, we meta-analyzed data from 45 studies of adults (n=218,166) and nine studies of children and adolescents (n=19,268). METHODS AND FINDINGS: All studies identified to have data on the FTO rs9939609 variant (or any proxy [r(2)>0.8]) and PA were invited to participate, regardless of ethnicity or age of the participants. PA was standardized by categorizing it into a dichotomous variable (physically inactive versus active) in each study. Overall, 25% of adults and 13% of children were categorized as inactive. Interaction analyses were performed within each study by including the FTO×PA interaction term in an additive model, adjusting for age and sex. Subsequently, random effects meta-analysis was used to pool the interaction terms. In adults, the minor (A-) allele of rs9939609 increased the odds of obesity by 1.23-fold/allele (95% CI 1.20-1.26), but PA attenuated this effect (p(interaction) =0.001). More specifically, the minor allele of rs9939609 increased the odds of obesity less in the physically active group (odds ratio =1.22/allele, 95% CI 1.19-1.25) than in the inactive group (odds ratio =1.30/allele, 95% CI 1.24-1.36). No such interaction was found in children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The association of the FTO risk allele with the odds of obesity is attenuated by 27% in physically active adults, highlighting the importance of PA in particular in those genetically predisposed to obesity.
|
|
| 20. |
- Macías García, Beatriz, et al.
(author)
-
The mitochondria of stallion spermatozoa are more sensitive than the plasmalemma to osmotic induced stress: role of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNKs) pathway
- 2012
-
In: Journal of Andrology. - Schaumburg, IL, United States : American Society of Andrology. - 0196-3635 .- 1939-4640. ; 33:1, s. 105-113
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cryopreservation introduces extreme temperature and osmolality changes that impart lethal and sublethal effects on spermatozoa. Additionally, there is evidence that the osmotic stress induced by cryopreservation causes oxidative stress to spermatozoa. The main sources of reactive oxygen species in mammalian sperm are the mitochondria. In view of this, the aim of our study was to test whether or not osmotic stress was able to induce mitochondrial damage and to explore the osmotic tolerance of the mitochondria of stallion spermatozoa. Ejaculates from 7 stallions were subjected to osmolalities ranging from 75 to 1500 mOsm/kg, and the effect on sperm membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential was studied. Additionally, the effects of changes in osmolality from hyposmotic to isosmotic and from hyperosmotic to isosmotic solutions were studied (osmotic excursions). The cellular volume of stallion spermatozoa under isosmotic conditions was 20.4 ± 0.33 μm3. When exposed to low osmolality, the stallion spermatozoa behaved like a linear osmometer, whereas exposure to high osmolalities up to 900 mOsm/kg resulted in decreased sperm volume. Although sperm membranes were relatively resistant to changes in osmolality, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased when osmolalities were low or very high (10.7 ± 1.74 and 16.5 ± 1.70 at 75 and 150 mOsm/kg, respectively, and 13.1 ± 1.83 at 1500 mOsm/kg), whereas in isosmolar controls the percentage of stallion sperm mitochondria with a high membrane potential was 41.1 ± 1.69 (P < .01). Osmotic excursions induced greater damage than exposure of spermatozoa to a given nonphysiologic osmolality, and again the mitochondria were more prone to damage induced by osmotic excursions than was the sperm plasma membrane. In search of intracellular components that could mediate these changes, we have detected for the first time the c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 in stallion spermatozoa, which are apparently involved in the regulation of the viability of these cells.
|
|
| 21. |
- Martínez-Ortega, José-Fernán, et al.
(author)
-
Composition and deployment of e-Health services over Wireless Sensor Networks
- 2011
-
In: Mathematical and computer modelling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0895-7177 .- 1872-9479. ; 53:3-4, s. 485-503
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Providing necessary background for provisioning of a new generation of enriched services over Wireless Sensor Networks is the main effort that the scientific community is currently carrying out. These services have improved a great number of aspects related to pervasive systems such as saving resources, efficiency, reliability, scalability and low power consumption. In this paper, μSMS middleware, using an event-based service model, is presented. This novel approach makes up the design requirements previously mentioned by implementing a dynamic memory kernel and a variable payload multiplexing mechanism for the information events in order to provide advanced services. The results obtained over real-world deployments, especially those related with provision of e-Health services, reflect a significant improvement over other similar proposals, such as the RUNES approach: 50% lower memory overhead, 53% lower software components load time and 12% lower event's propagation time.
|
|
| 22. |
- Martínez-Ortega, José-Fernán, et al.
(author)
-
Modelling QoS for Wireless Sensor Networks
- 2010
-
In: IFIP International Federation for Information Processing. - Boston, MA : Springer US. - 1571-5736. ; 248:1, s. 143-154
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a wireless network composed of spatially distributed and tiny autonomous nodes - smart dust sensors, motes - which cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions. Nowadays these kinds of networks support a wide range of applications, such as target tracking, security, environmental control, habitat monitoring, source detection, source localization, vehicular and traffic monitoring, health monitoring, building and industrial monitoring, etc. Generally, these applications have strong and strict requirements for end-to-end delaying and loosing during data transmissions. In this paper, we propose a realistic scenario for application of the WSN field in order to illustrate selection of an appropriate approach for guaranteeing performance in a WSN-deployed application. The methodology we have used includes four major phases: 1) Requirements analysis of the application scenario; 2) QoS modeling in different layers of the communications protocol stack and selection of more suitable QoS protocols and mechanisms; 3) Definition of a simulation model based on an application scenario, to which we applied the protocols and mechanisms selected in the phase 2; and 4) Validation of decisions by means of simulation and analysis of results. This work has been partially financed by the "Universidad Politécnica de Madrid" and the "Comunidad de Madrid" in the framework of the project CRISAL - M0700204174.
|
|
| 23. |
- Martínez-Ortega, José-Fernán, et al.
(author)
-
Pervasive surveillance-agent system based on wireless sensor networks : design and deployment
- 2010
-
In: Measurement science and technology. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 0957-0233 .- 1361-6501. ; 21:12, s. Article number 124005-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nowadays, proliferation of embedded systems is enhancing the possibilities of gathering information by using wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Flexibility and ease of installation make these kinds of pervasive networks suitable for security and surveillance environments. Moreover, the risk for humans to be exposed to these functions is minimized when using these networks. In this paper, a virtual perimeter surveillance agent, which has been designed to detect any person crossing an invisible barrier around a marked perimeter and send an alarm notification to the security staff, is presented. This agent works in a state of 'low power consumption' until there is a crossing on the perimeter. In our approach, the 'intelligence' of the agent has been distributed by using mobile nodes in order to discern the cause of the event of presence. This feature contributes to saving both processing resources and power consumption since the required code that detects presence is the only system installed. The research work described in this paper illustrates our experience in the development of a surveillance system using WNSs for a practical application as well as its evaluation in real-world deployments. This mechanism plays an important role in providing confidence in ensuring safety to our environment.
|
|
| 24. |
- Martínez-Ortega, José-Fernán, et al.
(author)
-
Wireless sensor networks in knowledge management
- 2010
-
In: Procedia Computer Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1877-0509. ; 1:1, s. 2291-2300
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) necessarily touches on many research topics of Computer Science, Electronic Engineering and Telecommunication, basing on the existing work in related fields. However, the peculiarity of the WSN field is the interplay and integration of these foundation subjects, yielding a distinct topic worthy of further study in its own right. One of the main open issues in WSN research is to abstract the applications of complex low-level mechanisms, and one of the most powerful and flexible ways to achieve this is creating a Middleware layer that cover all this functionality, provide services to applications, allows the intercommunication among components, adapts dynamically to different operation modes and clearly differentiated from low-level components. Knowledgemanagement and ontologies are also helpful when WSN are used to monitoring and taking decisions. We deploy a WSN in a testing scenario in order to control environmental parameters according to user profile stored in the system.
|
|
| 25. |
- Perez-Martinez, Pablo, et al.
(author)
-
Calpain-10 interacts with plasma saturated fatty acid concentrations to influence insulin resistance in individuals with the metabolic syndrome
- 2011
-
In: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9165 .- 1938-3207. ; 93:5, s. 1136-1141
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Calpain-10 protein (intracellular Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease) may play a role in glucose metabolism, pancreatic beta cell function, and regulation of thermogenesis. Several CAPN10 polymorphic sites have been studied for their potential use as risk markers for type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Fatty acids are key metabolic regulators that may interact with genetic factors and influence glucose metabolism. Objective: The objective was to examine whether the genetic variability at the CAPN10 gene locus is associated with the degree of insulin resistance and plasma fatty acid concentrations in subjects with MetS. Design: The insulin sensitivity index, glucose effectiveness, insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)], insulin secretion (disposition index, acute insulin response, and HOMA of beta cell function), plasma fatty acid composition, and 5 CAPN10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined in a cross-sectional analysis of 452 subjects with MetS participating in the LIPGENE dietary intervention cohort. Results: The rs2953171 SNP interacted with plasma total saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations, which were significantly associated with insulin sensitivity (P < 0.031 for fasting insulin, P < 0.028 for HOMA-IR, and P < 0.012 for glucose effectiveness). The G/G genotype was associated with lower fasting insulin concentrations, lower HOMA-IR, and higher glucose effectiveness in subjects with low SFA concentrations (below the median) than in subjects with the minor A allele (G/A and A/A). In contrast, subjects with the G/G allele with the highest SFA concentrations (above the median) had higher fasting insulin and HOMA-IR values and lower glucose effectiveness than did subjects with the A allele. Conclusion: The rs2953171 polymorphism at the CAPN10 gene locus may influence insulin sensitivity by interacting with the plasma fatty acid composition in subjects with MetS. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials. gov as NCT00429195.
|
|
| 26. |
- Perez-Martinez, Pablo, et al.
(author)
-
Gene-nutrient interactions on the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase influence insulin sensitivity in metabolic syndrome subjects
- 2013
-
In: Clinical Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0261-5614 .- 1532-1983. ; 32:4, s. 630-635
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background & aims: Genetic background may interact with habitual dietary fat composition, and affect development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene (PCK1) plays a significant role regulating glucose metabolism, and fatty acids are key metabolic regulators, which interact with transcription factors and influence glucose metabolism. We explored genetic variability at the PCK1 gene locus in relation to degree of insulin resistance and plasma fatty acid levels in MetS subjects. Moreover, we analyzed the PCK1 gene expression in the adipose tissue of a subgroup of MetS subjects according to the PCK1 genetic variants. Methods: Insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, glucose effectiveness, plasma concentrations of C-peptide, fatty acid composition and three PCK1 tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined in 443 MetS participants in the UPGENE cohort. Results: The rs2179706 SNP interacted with plasma concentration of n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n - 3 PUFA), which were significantly associated with plasma concentrations of fasting insulin, peptide C, and HOMA-IR. Among subjects with n - 3 PUFA levels above the population median, carriers of the C/C genotype exhibited lower plasma concentrations of fasting insulin (P = 0.036) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.019) as compared with C/C carriers with n - 3 PUFA below the median. Moreover, homozygous C/C subjects with n - 3 PUFA levels above the median showed lower plasma concentrations of peptide C as compared to individuals with the T-allele (P = 0.006). Subjects carrying the T-allele showed a lower gene PCK1 expression as compared with carriers of the C/C genotype (P = 0.015). Conclusions: The PCK1 rs2179706 polymorphism interacts with plasma concentration of n - 3 PUFA levels modulating insulin resistance in MetS subjects.
|
|
| 27. |
- Perez-Martinez, Pablo, et al.
(author)
-
Insulin receptor substrate-2 gene variants in subjects with metabolic syndrome : Association with plasma monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and insulin resistance
- 2012
-
In: Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. - : Wiley. - 1613-4125 .- 1613-4133. ; 56:2, s. 309-315
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Scope: Several insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) polymorphisms have been studied in relation to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. To examine whether the genetic variability at the IRS-2 gene locus was associated with the degree of insulin resistance and plasma fatty acid levels in metabolic syndrome (MetS) subjects.Methods and results: Insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, glucose effectiveness, plasma fatty acid composition and three IRS-2 tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined in 452 MetS subjects. Among subjects with the lowest level of monounsaturated (MUFA) (below the median), the rs2289046 A/A genotype was associated with lower glucose effectiveness (p < 0.038), higher fasting insulin concentrations (p < 0.028) and higher HOMA IR (p < 0.038) as compared to subjects carrying the minor G-allele (A/G and G/G). In contrast, among subjects with the highest level of MUFA (above the median), the A/A genotype was associated with lower fasting insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR, whereas individuals carrying the G allele and with the highest level of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (above the median) showed lower fasting insulin (p < 0.01) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.02) as compared with A/A subjects.Conclusion: The rs2289046 polymorphism at the IRS2 gene locus may influence insulin sensitivity by interacting with certain plasma fatty acids in MetS subjects.
|
|
| 28. |
- Ramírez-Calvo, Pilar, et al.
(author)
-
Faster, sooner, more efficient : New technologies in competitive intelligence analysis
- 2013
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- New Internet-based technologies are transforming the business model around the world. This paper will discuss the role of new competitive watch and intelligence platforms in a business practical case. We review the different information sources in combination with other data (like financial data or social media) to create intelligence. Analyzing tools allow detecting connections between data so that the company can identify changes, adapt its products to new customers or anticipate market movements. Practical business case is presented using VicuboCloud™ solution for collecting and analyzing information for decision-making.
|
|
| 29. |
- Ramírez-Calvo, Pilar, et al.
(author)
-
Nuevas tecnologías en análisis de inteligencia competitiva : Casos prácticos
- 2013
-
In: Profesional de la Informacion. - : EPI, SCP. - 1386-6710. ; 22:5, s. 448-454
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Las nuevas tecnologías basadas en internet están transformando los modelos de negocio en todo el mundo. Se plantea el uso de las nuevas plataformas de vigilancia tecnológica e inteligencia competitiva en unos casos prácticos en el entorno empresarial. Se repasan las diferentes fuentes de información en combinación con otros datos (como información tecnológica y datos financieros) para la creación de inteligencia. Las herramientas de análisis permiten detectar relaciones entre los datos de manera que las organizaciones pueden identificar cambios, adaptar sus productos a nuevos consumidores o anticipar los movimientos del mercado. Se describen 3 casos prácticos usando la solución VicuboCloud en la recolección y análisis de información para la toma de decisiones.
|
|
