Predicted regulatory SNPs reveal potential drug targets and novel companion diagnostics in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease associated with interleukins, their receptors, key transcription factors and more recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Cathelicidin LL-37 is an AMP proposed to play a fundamental role in psoriasis etiology. With our proprietary software SNPClinic v.

Regulatory SNP rs5743417 impairs constitutive expression of human β-defensin 1 and has high frequency in Africans and Afro-Americans.

The prediction of regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (rSNPs) in proximal promoters of disease-related genes could be a useful tool for personalized medicine in both patient stratification and customized therapy. Using our previously reported method of rSNPs prediction (currently a software called SNPClinic v.1.

Discovery of possible gene relationships through the application of self-organizing maps to DNA microarray databases.

DNA microarrays and cell cycle synchronization experiments have made possible the study of the mechanisms of cell cycle regulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by simultaneously monitoring the expression levels of thousands of genes at specific time points. On the other hand, pattern recognition techniques can contribute to the analysis of such massive measurements, providing a model of gene expression level evolution through the cell cycle process. In this paper, we propose the use of one of such techniques--an unsupervised artificial neural network called a Self-Organizing Map (SOM)-which has been successfully applied to processes involving very noisy signals, classifying and organizing them, and assisting in the discovery of behavior patterns without requiring prior knowledge about the process under analysis.

Religiosity and sexuality: counseling provided by Brazilian Protestant pastors.

Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore counseling about sexuality and contraception provided to the church community.

Methods: The oral history method was performed. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews with 18 Brazilian Protestant pastors and were examined using thematic analysis.

Counseling regarding sexual and reproductive behavior: principles and practices of catholic priests.

Considering and respecting religious beliefs and values is vital for delivering integral health care. This study describes the religious principles and guidance provided by Catholic priests on sexuality and reproduction. The oral history method was used.