Correction: The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, an emerging paradigm of a gender egalitarian organisation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Deciphering the maternal ancestral lineage of Greek Cypriots, Armenian Cypriots and Maronite Cypriots.

Cyprus was conquered from several populations because of its special geographical location. In this study, 406 unrelated Cypriot samples were tested based on their mitochondrial DNA. In more detail, 185 were Greek Cypriots, 114 Armenian Cypriots and 107 Maronite Cypriots.

Tissue and plasma proteomic profiling indicates AHSG as a potential biomarker for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Background: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (TAAs) develop asymptomatically and are characterized by dilatation of the aorta. This is considered a life-threatening vascular disorder due to the risk of aortic dissection and rupture. There is an urgent need to identify blood-borne biomarkers for the early detection of TAA.

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, an emerging paradigm of a gender egalitarian organisation.

Females are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines globally and although progress has been made, the gender gap persists. Our aim was to explore gender parity in the context of gender representation and internal collaboration at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), a leading national biomedical organisation accredited as an equal opportunity employer. Towards this aim we (1) explored trends in gender parity within the different departments, positions and qualifications and in student representation in the CING's postgraduate school and, (2) investigated the degree of collaboration between male and female researchers within the Institute and the degree of influence within its co-authorship network.

Correction: Comparative Y-chromosome analysis among Cypriots in the context of historical events and migrations.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Comparative Y-chromosome analysis among Cypriots in the context of historical events and migrations.

Y-chromosome analysis provides valuable information regarding the migration patterns of male ancestors, ranging from the Paleolithic age to the modern humans. STR and SNP genotyping analysis provides data regarding the genetic and geographical ancestry of the populations studied. This study focused on the analysis of the Y-chromosome in Maronite Cypriots and Armenian Cypriots, who came to the island as a result of different historical events.

Sex-specific age association with primary DNA transfer.

Practicing forensic scientists who are called to provide expert witness testimony are often asked to explain both the presence and the absence of DNA on objects that have been handled by perpetrators with bare hands. Unwashed hands, depending on what they have come in contact with previously, may become the vehicle of both primary and secondary transfer of DNA. In this study, we investigated the propensity of primary and secondary transfer of DNA from unwashed bare hands of 128 individuals onto plastic tubes.

Spectrum of LDLR gene mutations, including a novel mutation causing familial hypercholesterolaemia, in North-western Greece.

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a clinical syndrome characterised by elevated serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, by tendon xanthomata and clinical manifestations of ischaemic heart disease in early life. Typically, it results from mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Furthermore, there are 3 additional genetic disorders that cause clinical syndromes that mimic FH.

Low HDL cholesterol, smoking and IL-13 R130Q polymorphism are associated with myocardial infarction in Greek Cypriot males. A pilot study.

This study was carried out in Greek Cypriot males to identify risk factors that predispose to myocardial infarction (MI). Genetic and lipid risk factors were investigated for the first time in a Greek Cypriot male case-control study.Contrary to other studies, mean low density lipoprotein cholesterol did not differ between cases and controls.

Dipsogenic genes associated with weight changes during Ironman Triathlons.

Thirst is regulated by a complex interaction of signalling pathways within the central nervous system, including components of the renin-angiotensin and kalikrein kinin systems, as well as the serotonergic pathways. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any associations between polymorphisms within the ACE, BDKRB2, NOS3 and/or 5-HTT genes with weight changes during the 2000 and 2001 226 km South African Ironman Triathlons. Pre- and post-race serum [Na(+)] and body weights, as well as genotype data, were collected from 428 (61.

The bradykinin beta 2 receptor (BDKRB2) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) genes and endurance performance during Ironman Triathlons.

We have previously shown that the insertion allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene was over-represented in the fastest South-African-born finishers of the South African Ironman Triathlons. As ACE is a component of the skeletal muscle kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), the aim of this study is to determine if there are any further associations between polymorphisms within the BDKRB2 and NOS3 genes, which encode for the KKS components, bradykinin beta(2) receptor and nitric oxide synthase, respectively, and ultra-endurance performance during the Ironman Triathlons. Four-hundred and forty-three male Caucasian triathletes who completed the 2000 and/or 2001 South African Ironman Triathlons and 203 healthy Caucasian male control subjects were genotyped for the functional -9/+9 polymorphism within exon 1 of the BDKRB2 gene and the G894T NOS3 gene polymorphisms.

Genetic and environmental factors affecting the response to statin therapy in patients with molecularly defined familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most common inherited metabolic disease characterized by elevated serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ischaemic heart disease early in life. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent premature atherosclerosis in FH patients. The aim of our study was the evaluation of the effects of genetic [class of the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene mutation, apolipoprotein (apo)E, apoA-IV and cholesterol ester transfer protein gene polymorphisms] and environmental factors (age, sex, smoking habit and body mass index) on the lipid-lowering response to statin therapy in patients with molecularly defined FH.

The ACE gene and endurance performance during the South African Ironman Triathlons.

Purpose: Several studies have suggested that the insertion (I) variant rather than the deletion (D) variant of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with elite endurance performance. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ID polymorphism is associated with the performance of the fastest finishers of the South African Ironman Triathlons.

Methods: A total of 447 Caucasian male triathletes of a variety of nationalities and athletic ability who completed either the 2000 or 2001 South African Ironman Triathlons and 199 Caucasian male control subjects were genotyped for the ACE ID polymorphism.