[Mortality from neglected tropical ciseases in Brazil in the 21st Century: Analysis of spatial and temporal trends and associated factorsMortalidad por enfermedades tropicales desatendidas en Brasil en el siglo XXI: análisis de tendencias espaciales y temporales y factores asociados].

Objective: To analyze the spatial-temporal distribution and factors associated with mortality from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Brazil from 2000 to 2019.

Method: We performed an ecological study to analyze NTD-related deaths recorded in the Ministry of Health Mortality Information System (SIM). For the temporal analysis, the joinpoint method was used.

Methodology to identify a gene expression signature by merging microarray datasets.

A vast number of microarray datasets have been produced as a way to identify differentially expressed genes and gene expression signatures. A better understanding of these biological processes can help in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases, as well as in the therapeutic response to drugs. However, most of the available datasets are composed of a reduced number of samples, leading to low statistical, predictive and generalization power.

Proteostasis networks in aging: novel insights from text-mining approaches.

Aging is a topic of paramount importance in an increasingly elderly society and has been the focus of extensive research. Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) decline is a hallmark in aging and several age-related diseases, but which specific proteins and mechanisms are involved in proteostasis (de)regulation during the aging process remain largely unknown. Here, we used different text-mining tools complemented with protein-protein interaction data to address this complex topic.

Study of NAD-interacting proteins highlights the extent of NAD regulatory roles in the cell and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels are essential for the normal physiology of the cell and are strictly regulated to prevent pathological conditions. NAD functions as a coenzyme in redox reactions, as a substrate of regulatory proteins, and as a mediator of protein-protein interactions. The main objectives of this study were to identify the NAD-binding and NAD-interacting proteins, and to uncover novel proteins and functions that could be regulated by this metabolite.

Curiosity and mesolimbic functional connectivity drive information seeking in real life.

Curiosity reflects an individual's intrinsic motivation to seek information in order to close information gaps. In laboratory-based experiments, both curiosity and information seeking have been associated with enhanced neural dynamics in the mesolimbic dopaminergic circuit. However, it is unclear whether curiosity and dopaminergic dynamics drive information seeking in real life.

Constraint-induced movement therapy for lower extremity use in activities of daily living in people with chronic hemiparesis: multiple case study.

Lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (LE-CIMT) is an intensive intervention protocol recently reported to improve lower extremity use in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. To test if the LE-CIMT that uses essential CIMT components, including the transfer package and intensive task-oriented training, is a feasible and potentially effective intervention to improve the lower extremity real-world use and functional ability in a group of individuals with chronic hemiparesis. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design study with 12 individuals with chronic stroke and impaired ambulation skills engaged in a 10-weekday LE-CIMT.

Identification of high seed oil yield and high oleic acid content in Brazilian germplasm of winter squash ( D.).

D. seed oil contains approximately 75% unsaturated fatty acids, with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant compounds such as vitamin E and carotenoids, constituting a promising food in nutritional terms. In addition, the Brazilian germplasm of exhibits remarkable variability, representing an important source for the genetic breeding of this vegetable and other cucurbits.

Expression Regulation Mechanisms: Novel Functions Predicted by a Bioinformatics Approach.

The nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase () gene has gained relevance in the research of cancer therapeutic strategies due to its main role as a NAD biosynthetic enzyme. NAD metabolism is an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer therapies, given the high energy requirements of proliferating cancer cells and NAD-dependent signaling. A few studies have shown that expression varies in different cancer types, making it imperative to assess expression and functionality status prior to the application of therapeutic strategies targeting NAD.

Merging microarray studies to identify a common gene expression signature to several structural heart diseases.

Background: Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Knowing a gene expression signature in heart disease can lead to the development of more efficient diagnosis and treatments that may prevent premature deaths. A large amount of microarray data is available in public repositories and can be used to identify differentially expressed genes.

Evolution of the NET (NocA, Nlz, Elbow, TLP-1) protein family in metazoans: insights from expression data and phylogenetic analysis.

The NET (for NocA, Nlz, Elbow, TLP-1) protein family is a group of conserved zinc finger proteins linked to embryonic development and recently associated with breast cancer. The members of this family act as transcriptional repressors interacting with both class I histone deacetylases and Groucho/TLE co-repressors. In Drosophila, the NET family members Elbow and NocA are vital for the development of tracheae, eyes, wings and legs, whereas in vertebrates ZNF703 and ZNF503 are important for the development of the nervous system, eyes and limbs.

Extensive regulation of nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) expression in human tissues and tumors.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a cofactor in redox reactions and a substrate for NAD-consuming enzymes, such as PARPs and sirtuins. As cancer cells have increased NAD requirements, the main NAD salvage enzymes in humans, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT), are involved in the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. Knowledge of the expression patterns of both genes in tissues and tumors is critical for the use of nicotinic acid (NA) as cytoprotective in therapies using NAMPT inhibitors.

Knee and hip radiographic osteoarthritis features: differences on pain, function and quality of life.

The association between radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) and symptoms is inconsistent and variable according to each joint. The purpose of this study is to understand the relation between radiographic OA features, pain, function and quality of life, in knee and hip joints. A cross-sectional study was performed using information from EPIPorto cohort.

Potential role of age, sex, body mass index and pain to identify patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Aim: To evaluate the potential role of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), radiographic features and pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) case ascertainment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using information from the EPIPorto cohort; social, demographic, behavioral and clinical data was obtained. Pain was assessed using a pain frequency score (regarding ever having knee pain, pain in the last year, in the last 6 months and in the last month).

Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is nowadays one of the most frequent chronic diseases and, with the increase in life expectancy, both its prevalence and incidence is expected to rise. This condition is progressive and leads to functional decline and loss in quality of life, with important health care and society costs. A review of relevant and recent literature on osteoarthritis was performed in PubMed.

NAMPT and NAPRT1: novel polymorphisms and distribution of variants between normal tissues and tumor samples.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase domain containing 1 (NAPRT1) are the main human NAD salvage enzymes. NAD regulates energy metabolism and cell signaling, and the enzymes that control NAD availability are linked to pathologies such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Here, we have screened normal and tumor samples from different tissues and populations of origin for mutations in human NAMPT and NAPRT1, and evaluated their potential pathogenicity.

The effect of depressive symptoms on the association between radiographic osteoarthritis and knee pain: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The progressive nature of knee osteoarthritis (OA) leads to not only to physical but also to psychosocial decline; this aspect can influence knee pain experience, manifestations and inevitably diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: Data on 663 subjects was obtained by interview using a structured questionnaire on social, demographic, behavioural and clinical data. Painful knee was assessed regarding having pain: ever, in the last year, in the last 6 months and in the last month.

The evolutionary portrait of metazoan NAD salvage.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) levels are essential for cellular homeostasis and survival. Main sources of intracellular NAD are the salvage pathways from nicotinamide, where Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferases (NAMPTs) and Nicotinamidases (PNCs) have a key role. NAMPTs and PNCs are important in aging, infection and disease conditions such as diabetes and cancer.

[Metabolic syndrome and physical activity].

Because the metabolic syndrome (MS) poses a growing public health problem, it is crucial to identify related modifiable risk factors. The MS is a multifaceted syndrome, however, physical activity (PA) is thought to be one of the protective factors in MS occurrence. The purpose of this study is to analyse recent literature on the association between PA and MS.

Prognostic value of opioid binding protein/cell adhesion molecule-like promoter methylation in bladder carcinoma.

The OPCML gene (opioid binding protein/cell adhesion molecule-like), a putative tumour suppressor gene, is frequently inactivated in carcinomas, namely through aberrant promoter methylation. Herein, we aimed to determine whether OPCML altered expression mediated by epigenetic mechanisms was implicated in bladder carcinogenesis and to assess its potential as a bladder cancer epi-marker. OPCML promoter methylation levels from 91 samples of bladder urothelial carcinoma, 25 normal bladder tissues and bladder cancer cell lines were assessed by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and correlated with OPCML mRNA expression, determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Three epigenetic biomarkers, GDF15, TMEFF2, and VIM, accurately predict bladder cancer from DNA-based analyses of urine samples.

Purpose: To identify a panel of epigenetic biomarkers for accurate bladder cancer (BlCa) detection in urine sediments.

Experimental Design: Gene expression microarray analysis of BlCa cell lines treated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A as well as 26 tissue samples was used to identify a list of novel methylation candidates for BlCa. Methylation levels of candidate genes were quantified in 4 BlCa cell lines, 50 BlCa tissues, 20 normal bladder mucosas (NBM), and urine sediments from 51 BlCa patients and 20 healthy donors, 19 renal cancer patients, and 20 prostate cancer patients.

Functional and epigenetic characterization of the KRT19 gene in renal cell neoplasms.

The KRT19 gene encodes cytokeratin 19, an element of the cytoskeleton whose expression is frequently altered in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Epigenetic phenomena, such as promoter methylation, may be a regulatory mechanism of expression of this gene. The aim of this study was to assess the epigenetic regulation of the KRT19 gene using epigenetic-modulating drugs, through the evaluation of methylation and expression status of the promoter region of KRT19 in 6 renal carcinoma cell lines and 112 primary renal tumors (52 clear cell RCC, 22 papillary RCC, 22 chromophobe cell RCC, and 16 oncocytomas).

[Risk factors for Parkinson disease: an epidemiologic study].

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains in a certain part unknown. Both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are sometimes considered to be putative contributors to its origin. Recent epidemiologic studies have focused on the possible role of environmental risk factors present during adult life or aging, once pure genetic forms of PD are rare.

Wearability and physiological effects of custom-fitted vs self-adapted mouthguards.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the comfort, wearability, physiological effects and its influence on athletes' physical performance, of custom-fitted compared with self-adapted mouthguards (MGs).

Methods: Eleven rugby players were put under specific efforts similar to those of the competition. Each player made three consecutive tests randomly wearing a commercially available 'boil-and-bite' self-adapted mouthguard (MG2), a custom-fitted mouthguard (MG3), and no mouthguard (reference).