Age-Dependent RGS5 Loss in Pericytes Induces Cardiac Dysfunction and Fibrosis.

Background: Pericytes are capillary-associated mural cells involved in the maintenance and stability of the vascular network. Although aging is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the consequences of aging on cardiac pericytes are unknown.

Methods: In this study, we have combined single-nucleus RNA sequencing and histological analysis to determine the effects of aging on cardiac pericytes.

Benchmarking RNA Editing Detection Tools.

RNA, like DNA and proteins, can undergo modifications. To date, over 170 RNA modifications have been identified, leading to the emergence of a new research area known as epitranscriptomics. RNA editing is the most frequent RNA modification in mammalian transcriptomes, and two types have been identified: (1) the most frequent, adenosine to inosine (A-to-I); and (2) the less frequent, cysteine to uracil (C-to-U) RNA editing.

Potential usages of A-to-I RNA editing patterns as diagnostic biomarkers.

Adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is one of the most frequent RNA modifications found in the mammalian transcriptome. Recent studies clearly indicate that RNA editing enzymes, adenosine deaminase acting on RNAs (ADARs), are upregulated in stressed cells and under disease conditions, suggesting that monitoring RNA editing patterns might be useful as diagnostic biomarkers of various diseases. Here, we provide an overview of epitranscriptomics, and focus particularly on the detection and analysis of A-to-I RNA editing using bioinformatic tools in RNA-seq data sets, as well as briefly reviewing the existing evidence about its involvement in disease progressions.

Effectiveness of a virtual intervention for primary healthcare professionals aimed at improving attitudes towards the empowerment of patients with chronic diseases: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (e-MPODERA project).

Background: Communities of practice are based on the idea that learning involves a group of people exchanging experiences and knowledge. The e-MPODERA project aims to assess the effectiveness of a virtual community of practice aimed at improving primary healthcare professional attitudes to the empowerment of patients with chronic diseases.

Methods: This paper describes the protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

[Concordance and usefulness of a stratification system for clinical decision making].

Objectives: 1) To analyse concordance between the level of risk classification using the Adjusted Groups Morbidity (GMA) tool and the assigned level of intervention by general practitioners (GP). 2) To study the usefulness of the GMA tool as an aid in electronic medical records (EMR) for decision making.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study of concordance.

[Assessment of electronic medical records. Relationship between process indicators measured using electronic records and intermediate health outcomes in patients with hypertension].

Objective: To study relationship between institutional process indicators (measured using electronic records) and intermediate outcomes of patients with hypertension.

Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.

Setting: Primary Care Health District 1.

[Implementation and improvement in a care program for the elderly on multiple medications in a primary care area].

Background: The purpose is to describe the introduction of a Care Program for the Elderly on Multiple Medication in a Primary Care area and the complete improvement cycle after evaluating the initial results The Program was instigated by the Community of Madrid Pharmacy Directorate.

Methods: The Program was aimed at patients over 75 years who took 6 or more active ingredients (9721 patients in the area at the start of the program) and began in September 2006. It is based on coordinating with pharmacists, systematic review of treatment, health education, and the providing of personal dose dispensing systems for the correct use of the medication.