Association of ACE and MTHFR genetic polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Susceptibility and complications.

PubMed

Settin, Ahmad; El-Baz, Rizk; Ismaeel, Azza; Tolba, Wafaa; Allah, Wafaa A

2015-12-01

Polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes have been proposed to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with conflicting results. This work was planned in order to check for the association of these polymorphisms with the susceptibility for and complications of T2DM among Egyptian cases. This is a case controlled study involving 203 patients with T2DM and 311 healthy controls. Polymorphic variants of ACE I>D and MTHFR (677 C>T and 1298 A>C) were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction analysis technique. The susceptibility to T2DM was higher among subjects having the MTHFR 677TT (odds ratio (OR)=2.2, p=0.01), MTHFR 1298 AA (OR=1.84, p=0.001) and ACE (ID+II) (OR=2.0, p=0.0007) genotypes. Logistic regression analysis showed that MTHFR 677T allele was a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy (DR) (OR=3.47, p<0.001), diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) (OR=5.2, p<0.0001) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (OR=2.9, p<0.05), while MTHFR 1298 C allele was a risk factor for DR (OR=4.2, p<0.001) and the ACE DD genotype was a risk factor for DPN (OR=3.1, p<0.001). The MTHFR 677 TT genotype was associated with T2DM susceptibility and complications (DR, DPN and IHD). The MTHFR 1298 CC, AC and ACE DD genotypes were associated with DR and DPN. © The Author(s) 2014.

Genetic variants in 3′-UTRs of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) predict colorectal cancer susceptibility in Koreans

PubMed Central

Joo Jeon, Young; Woo Kim, Jong; Mi Park, Hye; Kim, Jung O; Geun Jang, Hyo; Oh, Jisu; Gyu Hwang, Seong; Won Kwon, Sung; Oh, Doyeun; Keun Kim, Nam

2015-01-01

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play important roles in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Moreover, recent studies have reported that a number of 3′-UTR polymorphisms potentially bind to specific microRNAs in a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of four MTHFR polymorphisms, 2572C>A [rs4846049], 4869C>G [rs1537514], 5488C>T [rs3737967], and 6685T>C [rs4846048] with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Koreans. A total of 850 participants (450 CRC patients and 400 controls) were enrolled in the study. The genotyping of MTHFR 3′-UTR polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis or TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. We found that MTHFR 2572C>A, 4869C>G, and 5488C>T genotypes were substantially associated with CRC susceptibility. Of the potentially susceptible polymorphisms, MTHFR 2572C>A was associated with increased homocysteine and decreased folate levels in the plasma based on MTHFR 677CC. Our study provides the evidences for 3′-UTR variants in MTHFR gene as potential biomarkers for use in CRC prevention. PMID:26046315

Meta-prediction of MTHFR gene polymorphism-mutations, air pollution, and risks of leukemia among world populations

PubMed Central

Lien, Shin-Yu A.; Young, Lufei; Gau, Bih-Shya; Shiao, S. Pamela K.

2017-01-01

The major objective of this study was to examine the association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and the risk of various types of leukemias across the lifespans of children and adults by using the meta-predictive techniques. The secondary objective was to examine the interactions among epigenetic risk factors (including air pollution), MTHFR polymorphisms, and the risks of developing leukemia. We completed a comprehensive search of 6 databases to find 54 studies (10,033 leukemia cases and 15,835 controls) for MTHFR 677, and 43 studies (8,868 cases and 14,301 controls) for MTHFR 1298, published from 1999 to 2014. The results revealed that, in European populations; childhood populations; children from Europe, East Asia, and America; and children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), MTHFR 677 polymorphisms (both TT and CT types together and individually) are protective, while CC wildtype was leukemogenic. In addition, MTHFR 1298 polymorphisms were protective against ALL and acute myeloid leukemia in European children, and in chronic myeloid leukemia in all adults worldwide and American adults. Air pollution played a role in the increased polymorphisms of MTHFR 677 genotypes in childhood leukemia. PMID:27966457

Meta-prediction of MTHFR gene polymorphism-mutations, air pollution, and risks of leukemia among world populations.

PubMed

Lien, Shin-Yu A; Young, Lufei; Gau, Bih-Shya; K Shiao, S Pamela

2017-01-17

The major objective of this study was to examine the association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and the risk of various types of leukemias across the lifespans of children and adults by using the meta-predictive techniques. The secondary objective was to examine the interactions among epigenetic risk factors (including air pollution), MTHFR polymorphisms, and the risks of developing leukemia. We completed a comprehensive search of 6 databases to find 54 studies (10,033 leukemia cases and 15,835 controls) for MTHFR 677, and 43 studies (8,868 cases and 14,301 controls) for MTHFR 1298, published from 1999 to 2014. The results revealed that, in European populations; childhood populations; children from Europe, East Asia, and America; and children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), MTHFR 677 polymorphisms (both TT and CT types together and individually) are protective, while CC wildtype was leukemogenic. In addition, MTHFR 1298 polymorphisms were protective against ALL and acute myeloid leukemia in European children, and in chronic myeloid leukemia in all adults worldwide and American adults. Air pollution played a role in the increased polymorphisms of MTHFR 677 genotypes in childhood leukemia.

Folate supplementation in schizophrenia: a possible role for MTHFR genotype.

PubMed

Hill, Michele; Shannahan, Kelsey; Jasinski, Sarah; Macklin, Eric A; Raeke, Lisa; Roffman, Joshua L; Goff, Donald C

2011-04-01

Folate deficiency and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T polymorphism have been linked to negative symptoms in schizophrenia both independently and synergistically. This study examined the effect of folate supplementation on negative symptoms overall and in relation to MTHFR 677C>T genotype. Forty-six stable adult schizophrenia outpatients were enrolled and 32 were randomised, double-blind, in a parallel-group, twelve week add-on trial of folate 2mg/d or matching placebo. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline to week 12 on the modified SANS total score using a mixed-model analysis. In addition, we measured the effect of MTHFR genotype on treatment effects and on changes in serum folate by grouping participants with T/T genotype together with C/T genotype and comparing their interactions to patients with C/C genotype. Twenty-eight participants completed the trial. Folate supplementation did not significantly affect negative symptoms compared to placebo across the entire cohort. However, there was a significant genotype×treatment effect on negative symptoms (F=7.13, df=1,39, p=0.01). In addition, MTHFR status significantly moderated the relationship between change in serum folate and change in negative symptoms: among participants with at least one copy of the T allele negative symptoms were more likely to improve with increased serum folate (p=0.03). We did not detect a therapeutic benefit of folate supplementation in a sample of patients with residual negative symptoms. However, a possible association between genotypes associated with reduced MTHFR activity and benefit from folate supplementation should be investigated further. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic variants in 3'-UTRs of MTHFR in the pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and bioinformatics analysis.

PubMed

Mohammadpour-Gharehbagh, Abbas; Salimi, Saeedeh; Keshavarzi, Farshid; Saeidian, Foozieh; Mousavi, Mahdieh; Teimoori, Batool; Esmaeilipour, Maryam; Mokhtari, Mojgan

2018-01-01

Preeclampsia (PE) as a pregnancy-specific disorder is the major cause of mortality and morbidity of mothers and fetuses. This study attempts to investigate the possible association between the 2572C>A (rs4846049) and 4869C>G (rs1537514) polymorphisms in the 3'- untranslated region of MTHFR gene and the risk of PE. A total of 198 patients diagnosed with PE and 171 unrelated, age matched healthy pregnant women, were recruited for this case-control study. The MTHFR 2572C>A and 4869C>G genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The CG genotype of MTHFR 4869C>G was associated with decreased risk of PE, and this genotype was found to be a protective factor for PE susceptibility. There was no significant difference in the genotypes of MTHFR 2572C>A polymorphism between PE patients and control group. The frequency of combined AC/CG genotypes of MTHFR 2572C>A and 4869C>G polymorphisms were less frequent in PE patients and were associated with a lower risk of PE. The C-G and A-G haplotypes of MTHFR 2572C>A and 4869C>G polymorphisms were significantly lower in PE patients. In conclusion, the CG genotype of MTHFR 4869C>G polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of PE. No association was found between MTHFR 2572C>A polymorphism and PE. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High folic acid consumption leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, altered lipid metabolism, and liver injury in mice.

PubMed

Christensen, Karen E; Mikael, Leonie G; Leung, Kit-Yi; Lévesque, Nancy; Deng, Liyuan; Wu, Qing; Malysheva, Olga V; Best, Ana; Caudill, Marie A; Greene, Nicholas D E; Rozen, Rima

2015-03-01

Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent, leading to concerns about negative consequences. The effects of folic acid on the liver, the primary organ for folate metabolism, are largely unknown. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) provides methyl donors for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis and methylation reactions. Our goal was to investigate the impact of high folic acid intake on liver disease and methyl metabolism. Folic acid-supplemented diet (FASD, 10-fold higher than recommended) and control diet were fed to male Mthfr(+/+) and Mthfr(+/-) mice for 6 mo to assess gene-nutrient interactions. Liver pathology, folate and choline metabolites, and gene expression in folate and lipid pathways were examined. Liver and spleen weights were higher and hematologic profiles were altered in FASD-fed mice. Liver histology revealed unusually large, degenerating cells in FASD Mthfr(+/-) mice, consistent with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. High folic acid inhibited MTHFR activity in vitro, and MTHFR protein was reduced in FASD-fed mice. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, SAM, and SAM/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratios were lower in FASD and Mthfr(+/-) livers. Choline metabolites, including phosphatidylcholine, were reduced due to genotype and/or diet in an attempt to restore methylation capacity through choline/betaine-dependent SAM synthesis. Expression changes in genes of one-carbon and lipid metabolism were particularly significant in FASD Mthfr(+/-) mice. The latter changes, which included higher nuclear sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, higher Srepb2 messenger RNA (mRNA), lower farnesoid X receptor (Nr1h4) mRNA, and lower Cyp7a1 mRNA, would lead to greater lipogenesis and reduced cholesterol catabolism into bile. We suggest that high folic acid consumption reduces MTHFR protein and activity levels, creating a pseudo-MTHFR deficiency. This deficiency results in hepatocyte degeneration, suggesting a 2-hit mechanism whereby mutant hepatocytes cannot

Insights on the structural perturbations in human MTHFR Ala222Val mutant by protein modeling and molecular dynamics.

PubMed

Abhinand, P A; Shaikh, Faraz; Bhakat, Soumendranath; Radadiya, Ashish; Bhaskar, L V K S; Shah, Anamik; Ragunath, P K

2016-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) protein catalyzes the only biochemical reaction which produces methyltetrahydrofolate, the active form of folic acid essential for several molecular functions. The Ala222Val polymorphism of human MTHFR encodes a thermolabile protein associated with increased risk of neural tube defects and cardiovascular disease. Experimental studies have shown that the mutation does not affect the kinetic properties of MTHFR, but inactivates the protein by increasing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) loss. The lack of completely solved crystal structure of MTHFR is an impediment in understanding the structural perturbations caused by the Ala222Val mutation; computational modeling provides a suitable alternative. The three-dimensional structure of human MTHFR protein was obtained through homology modeling, by taking the MTHFR structures from Escherichia coli and Thermus thermophilus as templates. Subsequently, the modeled structure was docked with FAD using Glide, which revealed a very good binding affinity, authenticated by a Glide XP score of -10.3983 (kcal mol(-1)). The MTHFR was mutated by changing Alanine 222 to Valine. The wild-type MTHFR-FAD complex and the Ala222Val mutant MTHFR-FAD complex were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation over 50 ns period. The average difference in backbone root mean square deviation (RMSD) between wild and mutant variant was found to be ~.11 Å. The greater degree of fluctuations in the mutant protein translates to increased conformational stability as a result of mutation. The FAD-binding ability of the mutant MTHFR was also found to be significantly lowered as a result of decreased protein grip caused by increased conformational flexibility. The study provides insights into the Ala222Val mutation of human MTHFR that induces major conformational changes in the tertiary structure, causing a significant reduction in the FAD-binding affinity.

Meta-Prediction of MTHFR Gene Polymorphism Mutations and Associated Risk for Colorectal Cancer

PubMed Central

Yu, C. H.

2016-01-01

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is one of the most investigated of the genes associated with chronic human diseases because of its associations with hyperhomocysteinemia and toxicity. It has been proposed as a prototype gene for the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). The major objectives of this meta-analysis were to examine the polymorphism-mutation patterns of MTHFR and their associations with risk for CRC as well as potential contributing factors for mutations and disease risks. This analysis included 33,626 CRC cases and 48,688 controls across 92 studies for MTHFR 677 and 16,367 cases and 24,874 controls across 54 studies for MTHFR 1298, comprising data for various racial and ethnic groups, both genders, and multiple cancer sites. MTHFR 677 homozygous TT genotype was protective (p < .05) for CRC for all included populations; however, with heterogeneity across various racial–ethnic groups and opposing findings, it was a risk genotype for the subgroup of Hispanics (p < .01). Additional countries for which subgroup analyses resulted in 677 TT as a risk genotype included Turkey, Romania, Croatia, Hungary, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, U.S. Hawai’i, Taiwan, India, and Egypt. Countries with the highest mutation rates and risks for both MTHFR 677 and 1298 genotypes are presented using global maps to visualize the grouping patterns. Meta-predictive analyses revealed that air pollution levels were associated with gene polymorphisms for both genotypes. Future nursing research should be conducted to develop proactive measures to protect populations in cities where air pollution causes more deaths. PMID:26858257

C677T (RS1801133 ) MTHFR gene polymorphism frequency in a colombian population.

PubMed

Romero-Sánchez, Consuelo; Gómez-Gutierrez, Alberto; Gómez, Piedad Elena; Casas-Gomez, Maria Consuelo; Briceño, Ignacio

2015-01-01

Abnormal levels of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are associated with an increased risk of both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and higher concentrations of homocysteine. Abnormal levels are also related to birth defects, pregnancy complications, cancer and toxicity to methotrexate (MTX). Polymorphisms of MTHFR affect the activity of the enzyme. Genetic associations have been related to treatment efficacy. To establish the frequency of the C> T polymorphism at nucleotide 677 of the MTHFR gene in a group of Colombian individuals. Data from pharmacogenetic microarrays that include MTX sensibility-associated polymorphisms were retrospectively collected (Pathway Genomics(®)). The frequency of the C> T MTHFR rs1801133 marker polymorphism was analyzed. Microarray data from 68 men and 84 women were analyzed. Comparisons of genotype C/C vs. C/T and T/T were statistically significantly different (p= 0.00, p= 0.026, respectively), as were C/T and T / T (p= 0.0001). Results for the C/C and C/T genotypes in a Colombian population are similar to other previously studied groups of healthy subjects. Subjects from our population might be at risk of developing diseases associated with MTHFR polymorphisms and might present toxicity and adverse effects if treated with MTX, which suggests the need to evaluate therapeutic alternatives based on individual pharmacogenetic studies.

Polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and susceptibility to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a German study population.

PubMed

Schnakenberg, Eckart; Mehles, Andrea; Cario, Gunnar; Rehe, Klaus; Seidemann, Kathrin; Schlegelberger, Brigitte; Elsner, Holger A; Welte, Karl H; Schrappe, Martin; Stanulla, Martin

2005-05-27

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has a major impact on the regulation of the folic acid pathway due to conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (methylene-THF) to 5-methyl-THF. Two common polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) in the gene coding for MTHFR have been shown to reduce MTHFR enzyme activity and were associated with the susceptibility to different disorders, including vascular disease, neural tube defects and lymphoid malignancies. Studies on the role of these polymorphisms in the susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) led to discrepant results. We retrospectively evaluated the association of the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms with pediatric ALL by genotyping a study sample of 443 ALL patients consecutively enrolled onto the German multicenter trial ALL-BFM 2000 and 379 healthy controls. We calculated odds ratios of MTHFR genotypes based on the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms to examine if one or both of these polymorphisms are associated with pediatric ALL. No significant associations between specific MTHFR variants or combinations of variants and risk of ALL were observed neither in the total patient group nor in analyses stratified by gender, age at diagnosis, DNA index, immunophenotype, or TEL/AML1 rearrangement. Our findings suggest that the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C gene variants do not have a major influence on the susceptibility to pediatric ALL in the German population.

Polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and susceptibility to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a German study population

PubMed Central

Schnakenberg, Eckart; Mehles, Andrea; Cario, Gunnar; Rehe, Klaus; Seidemann, Kathrin; Schlegelberger, Brigitte; Elsner, Holger A; Welte, Karl H; Schrappe, Martin; Stanulla, Martin

2005-01-01

Background Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has a major impact on the regulation of the folic acid pathway due to conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (methylene-THF) to 5-methyl-THF. Two common polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) in the gene coding for MTHFR have been shown to reduce MTHFR enzyme activity and were associated with the susceptibility to different disorders, including vascular disease, neural tube defects and lymphoid malignancies. Studies on the role of these polymorphisms in the susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) led to discrepant results. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the association of the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms with pediatric ALL by genotyping a study sample of 443 ALL patients consecutively enrolled onto the German multicenter trial ALL-BFM 2000 and 379 healthy controls. We calculated odds ratios of MTHFR genotypes based on the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms to examine if one or both of these polymorphisms are associated with pediatric ALL. Results No significant associations between specific MTHFR variants or combinations of variants and risk of ALL were observed neither in the total patient group nor in analyses stratified by gender, age at diagnosis, DNA index, immunophenotype, or TEL/AML1 rearrangement. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C gene variants do not have a major influence on the susceptibility to pediatric ALL in the German population. PMID:15921520

Simultaneous Downregulation of MTHFR and COMT in Switchgrass Affects Plant Performance and Induces Lesion-Mimic Cell Death.

PubMed

Liu, Sijia; Fu, Chunxiang; Gou, Jiqing; Sun, Liang; Huhman, David; Zhang, Yunwei; Wang, Zeng-Yu

2017-01-01

Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) has been developed into a model lignocellulosic bioenergy crop. Downregulation of caffeic acid O -methyltransferase (COMT), a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis, has been shown to alter lignification and increase biofuel yield in switchgrass. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mediates C1 metabolism and provides methyl units consumed by COMT. It was predicted that co-silencing of MTHFR and COMT would impact lignification even more than either of the single genes. However, our results showed that strong downregulation of MTHFR in a COMT -deficient background led to altered plant growth and development, but no significant change in lignin content or composition was found when compared with COMT plants. Another unexpected finding was that the double MTHFR/COMT downregulated plants showed a novel lesion-mimic leaf phenotype. Molecular analyses revealed that the lesion-mimic phenotype was caused by the synergistic effect of MTHFR and COMT genes, with MTHFR playing a predominant role. Microarray analysis showed significant induction of genes related to oxidative and defense responses. The results demonstrated the lack of additive effects of MTHFR and COMT on lignification. Furthermore, this research revealed an unexpected role of the two genes in the modulation of lesion-mimic cell death as well as their synergistic effects on agronomic performance.

Simultaneous Downregulation of MTHFR and COMT in Switchgrass Affects Plant Performance and Induces Lesion-Mimic Cell Death

PubMed Central

Liu, Sijia; Fu, Chunxiang; Gou, Jiqing; Sun, Liang; Huhman, David; Zhang, Yunwei; Wang, Zeng-Yu

2017-01-01

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has been developed into a model lignocellulosic bioenergy crop. Downregulation of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis, has been shown to alter lignification and increase biofuel yield in switchgrass. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mediates C1 metabolism and provides methyl units consumed by COMT. It was predicted that co-silencing of MTHFR and COMT would impact lignification even more than either of the single genes. However, our results showed that strong downregulation of MTHFR in a COMT-deficient background led to altered plant growth and development, but no significant change in lignin content or composition was found when compared with COMT plants. Another unexpected finding was that the double MTHFR/COMT downregulated plants showed a novel lesion-mimic leaf phenotype. Molecular analyses revealed that the lesion-mimic phenotype was caused by the synergistic effect of MTHFR and COMT genes, with MTHFR playing a predominant role. Microarray analysis showed significant induction of genes related to oxidative and defense responses. The results demonstrated the lack of additive effects of MTHFR and COMT on lignification. Furthermore, this research revealed an unexpected role of the two genes in the modulation of lesion-mimic cell death as well as their synergistic effects on agronomic performance. PMID:28676804

High folic acid consumption leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, altered lipid metabolism, and liver injury in mice12345

PubMed Central

Christensen, Karen E; Mikael, Leonie G; Leung, Kit-Yi; Lévesque, Nancy; Deng, Liyuan; Wu, Qing; Malysheva, Olga V; Best, Ana; Caudill, Marie A; Greene, Nicholas DE

2015-01-01

Background: Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent, leading to concerns about negative consequences. The effects of folic acid on the liver, the primary organ for folate metabolism, are largely unknown. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) provides methyl donors for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis and methylation reactions. Objective: Our goal was to investigate the impact of high folic acid intake on liver disease and methyl metabolism. Design: Folic acid–supplemented diet (FASD, 10-fold higher than recommended) and control diet were fed to male Mthfr+/+ and Mthfr+/− mice for 6 mo to assess gene-nutrient interactions. Liver pathology, folate and choline metabolites, and gene expression in folate and lipid pathways were examined. Results: Liver and spleen weights were higher and hematologic profiles were altered in FASD-fed mice. Liver histology revealed unusually large, degenerating cells in FASD Mthfr+/− mice, consistent with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. High folic acid inhibited MTHFR activity in vitro, and MTHFR protein was reduced in FASD-fed mice. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, SAM, and SAM/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratios were lower in FASD and Mthfr+/− livers. Choline metabolites, including phosphatidylcholine, were reduced due to genotype and/or diet in an attempt to restore methylation capacity through choline/betaine-dependent SAM synthesis. Expression changes in genes of one-carbon and lipid metabolism were particularly significant in FASD Mthfr+/− mice. The latter changes, which included higher nuclear sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, higher Srepb2 messenger RNA (mRNA), lower farnesoid X receptor (Nr1h4) mRNA, and lower Cyp7a1 mRNA, would lead to greater lipogenesis and reduced cholesterol catabolism into bile. Conclusions: We suggest that high folic acid consumption reduces MTHFR protein and activity levels, creating a pseudo-MTHFR deficiency. This deficiency results in hepatocyte degeneration, suggesting a 2

C677T (RS1801133 ) MTHFR gene polymorphism frequency in a colombian population

PubMed Central

Gómez-Gutierrez, Alberto; Gómez, Piedad Elena; Casas-Gomez, Maria Consuelo; Briceño, Ignacio

2015-01-01

Introduction: Abnormal levels of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are associated with an increased risk of both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and higher concentrations of homocysteine. Abnormal levels are also related to birth defects, pregnancy complications, cancer and toxicity to methotrexate (MTX). Polymorphisms of MTHFR affect the activity of the enzyme. Genetic associations have been related to treatment efficacy. Objective: To establish the frequency of the C> T polymorphism at nucleotide 677 of the MTHFR gene in a group of Colombian individuals. Methods: Data from pharmacogenetic microarrays that include MTX sensibility-associated polymorphisms were retrospectively collected (Pathway Genomics®). The frequency of the C> T MTHFR rs1801133 marker polymorphism was analyzed. Results: Microarray data from 68 men and 84 women were analyzed. Comparisons of genotype C/C vs. C/T and T/T were statistically significantly different (p= 0.00, p= 0.026, respectively), as were C/T and T / T (p= 0.0001). Conclusions: Results for the C/C and C/T genotypes in a Colombian population are similar to other previously studied groups of healthy subjects. Subjects from our population might be at risk of developing diseases associated with MTHFR polymorphisms and might present toxicity and adverse effects if treated with MTX, which suggests the need to evaluate therapeutic alternatives based on individual pharmacogenetic studies. PMID:26309343

A systematic review and meta-analysis of MTHFR polymorphisms in methotrexate toxicity prediction in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Lopez-Lopez, E; Martin-Guerrero, I; Ballesteros, J; Garcia-Orad, A

2013-12-01

Methotrexate (MTX) is an important component of therapy used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T and A1298C, affect MTHFR activity. A large body of studies has investigated the potential role of MTHFR SNPs in MTX toxicity in pediatric ALL. However, the results are controversial. In this review and meta-analysis, we critically evaluate the relationship between the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of MTHFR and MTX toxicity in pediatric ALL. The majority of published reports do not find associations between MTHFR polymorphisms and toxicity in pediatric ALL. When associations are reported, often the results are contradictory to each other. The meta-analysis confirms a lack of association. In conclusion, MTHFR, C677T and A1298C polymorphisms do not seem to be good markers of MTX-related toxicity in pediatric ALL.

Meta-Prediction of MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms and Air Pollution on the Risk of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy Worldwide.

PubMed

Yang, Ya-Ling; Yang, Hsiao-Ling; Shiao, S Pamela K

2018-02-13

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are devastating health hazards for both women and children. Both methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene polymorphisms and air pollution can affect health status and result in increased risk of HDP for women. The major objective of this study was to investigate the effect of MTHFR polymorphisms, air pollution, and their interaction on the risk of HDP by using meta-predictive analytics. We searched various databases comprehensively to access all available studies conducted for various ethnic populations from countries worldwide, from 1997 to 2017. Seventy-one studies with 8064 cases and 13,232 controls for MTHFR C677T and 11 studies with 1425 cases and 1859 controls for MTHFR A1298C were included. MTHFR C677T homozygous TT (risk ratio (RR) = 1.28, p < 0.0001) and CT plus TT (RR = 1.07, p = 0.0002) were the risk genotypes, while wild-type CC played a protective role (RR = 0.94, p = 0.0017) for HDP. The meta-predictive analysis found that the percentage of MTHFR C677T TT plus CT ( p = 0.044) and CT ( p = 0.043) genotypes in the HDP case group were significantly increased with elevated levels of air pollution worldwide. Additionally, in countries with higher air pollution levels, the pregnant women with wild-type CC MTHFR 677 had a protection effect against HDP ( p = 0.014), whereas, the homozygous TT of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was a risk genotype for developing HDP. Air pollution level is an environmental factor interacting with increased MTHFR C677T polymorphisms, impacting the susceptibility of HDP for women.

Meta-Prediction of MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms and Air Pollution on the Risk of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy Worldwide

PubMed Central

Yang, Ya-Ling; Yang, Hsiao-Ling; Shiao, S. Pamela K.

2018-01-01

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are devastating health hazards for both women and children. Both methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and air pollution can affect health status and result in increased risk of HDP for women. The major objective of this study was to investigate the effect of MTHFR polymorphisms, air pollution, and their interaction on the risk of HDP by using meta-predictive analytics. We searched various databases comprehensively to access all available studies conducted for various ethnic populations from countries worldwide, from 1997 to 2017. Seventy-one studies with 8064 cases and 13,232 controls for MTHFR C677T and 11 studies with 1425 cases and 1859 controls for MTHFR A1298C were included. MTHFR C677T homozygous TT (risk ratio (RR) = 1.28, p < 0.0001) and CT plus TT (RR = 1.07, p = 0.0002) were the risk genotypes, while wild-type CC played a protective role (RR = 0.94, p = 0.0017) for HDP. The meta-predictive analysis found that the percentage of MTHFR C677T TT plus CT (p = 0.044) and CT (p = 0.043) genotypes in the HDP case group were significantly increased with elevated levels of air pollution worldwide. Additionally, in countries with higher air pollution levels, the pregnant women with wild-type CC MTHFR 677 had a protection effect against HDP (p = 0.014), whereas, the homozygous TT of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was a risk genotype for developing HDP. Air pollution level is an environmental factor interacting with increased MTHFR C677T polymorphisms, impacting the susceptibility of HDP for women. PMID:29438331

Dietary consumption of B vitamins, maternal MTHFR polymorphisms and risk for spontaneous abortion

PubMed Central

Rodríguez-Guillén, María del Rosario; Torres-Sánchez, Luisa; Chen, Jia; Galván-Portillo, Marcia; Silva-Zolezzi, Irma; Blanco-Muñoz, Julia; Hernández-Valero, María A.; López-Carrillo, Lizbeth

2010-01-01

Objective To asses he association between intake of folate and B vitamins and the incidence of spontaneous abortion (SA) according to the maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms (677 C>T and 1298 A>C). Material and Methods We conducted a nested case-control study within a perinatal cohort of women recruited in the state of Morelos, Mexico. Twenty-three women with SA were compared to 74 women whose pregnancy survived beyond week 20th. Intake of folate and B vitamins respectively, was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Maternal MTHFR polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP and serum homocysteine levels by HPLC. Results Carriers of MTHFR 677TT and 1298AC genotypes respectively showed an increased risk of SA (OR 677TT vs. CC/CT=5.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 20.9 and OR 1298 AC vs. AA=5.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 26.6). Conclusions Our results support the role of MTHFR polymorphisms as a risk factor for SA, regardless of dietary intake of B vitamins. PMID:19180309

[Study on the relationship of MTHFR polymorphisms with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion].

PubMed

Li, Xiao-mei; Zhang, You-zhong; Xu, Yan-xue; Jiang, Sen

2004-02-01

To assess the relationship of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes to unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). This study included two groups:57 currently non-pregnant women with a history of URSA (URSA group), and 50 currently non-pregnant women with a history of having given birth to at least one live baby and without any history of spontaneous abortion, still-born fetus, placental thrombosis and intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)(control group). The fasting serum-Hcy was measured with high pressure liquid chromatography. Folic acid and vitamin B(12) were detected by radioimmune assay; antiphospholipid antibody (ACA) was detected by ELISA. MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms were detected by the technique of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). C/C genotype in URSA group was significantly lower than that in control group, the total mutant T allele frequency was significantly higher than that in control group. There was no significant difference in respect of "age, rural area/city, period, primary/secondary abortion" between the genotype distributions of MTHFR C677T. The T/T genotype and C/T+T/T genotypes frequencies for "abortion times>or=3" were higher than those for "abortion time <3". MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism is a genetic risk factor for URSA.

Involvement of MTHFR and TPMT genes in susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Mexicans.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Álvarez, Ossyneidee; Lares-Asseff, Ismael; Galaviz-Hernández, Carlos; Reyes-Espinoza, Elio-Aarón; Almanza-Reyes, Horacio; Sosa-Macías, Martha; Chairez Hernández, Isaías; Salas-Pacheco, José-Manuel; Bailón-Soto, Claudia E

2016-03-01

Folate metabolism plays an essential role in the processes of DNA synthesis and methylation. Deviations in the folate flux resulting from single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding folate-dependent enzymes may affect the susceptibility to leukemia. This case-control study aimed to assess associations among MTHFR (C677T, A1298C) and TPMT (*2, *3A) mutations as well as to evaluate the synergistic effects of combined genotypes for both genes. Therefore, these genetic variants may lead to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) susceptibility, in a Mexican population study. DNA samples obtained from 70 children with ALL and 152 age-matched controls (range, 1-15 years) were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect MTHFR C677T and A1298C and TPMT*2 and TPMT*3A genotypes. The frequency of the MTHFR A1298C CC genotype was statistically significant (odds ratio [OR], 6.48; 95% 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.26-33.2; p=0.025). In addition, the combined 677CC+1298AC genotype exhibited a statistically significant result (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.06-0.82; p=0.023). No significant results were obtained from the MTHFR (C677T CT, C677T TT) or TPMT (*2, *3A) genotypes. More importantly, no association between the synergistic effects of either gene (MTHFR and/or TPMT) and susceptibility to ALL was found. The MTHFR A1298C CC genotype was associated with an increased risk of developing childhood ALL. However, a decreased risk to ALL with the combination of MTHFR 677CC+1298AC genotypes was found.

Association of MTHFR gene C677T mutation with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy

PubMed Central

Yigit, Serbulent; Inanir, Ahmet

2013-01-01

Purpose Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common diabetic chronic complications. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants have been associated with vasculopathy that has been linked to diabetic neuropathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between MTHFR gene C677T mutation and DPN and evaluate if there is an association with clinical features in a relatively large cohort of Turkish patients. Methods The study included 230 patients affected by DPN and 282 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction–based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay for the MTHFR gene C677T mutation. Results The genotype and allele frequencies of the C677T mutation showed statistically significant differences between the patients with DPN and the controls (p=0.003 and p=0.002, respectively). After the patients with DPN were stratified according to clinical and demographic characteristics, a significant association was observed between the C677T mutation and history of retinopathy (p=0.039). Conclusions A high association between the MTHFR gene C677T mutation and DPN was observed in the present study. In addition, history of retinopathy was associated with the MTHFR C677T mutation in patients with DPN. PMID:23901246

3'-UTR Polymorphisms of MTHFR and TS Associated with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture Susceptibility in Postmenopausal Women.

PubMed

Ahn, Tae-Keun; Kim, Jung Oh; Kim, Hyun Woo; Park, Han Sung; Shim, Jeong Hyun; Ropper, Alexander E; Han, In Bo; Kim, Nam Keun

2018-03-12

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is one of the most prominent diseases in postmenopausal women and it is increasing in prevalence with the aging population. Furthermore, osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are related to mortality and decreased quality of life. Therefore, searching for biomarkers that are able to identify postmenopausal women who are at high risk of developing OVCFs is an effective strategy for improving the quality of life of patients and alleviating social and economic burdens. In this study, we investigated methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) and thymidylate synthase ( TS ) gene polymorphisms in postmenopausal women with OVCF. We recruited 301 postmenopausal women and performed genotyping for the presence of MTHFR 2572C>A, 4869C>G and TS 1100C>T, 1170A>G. Genotyping was analyzed using the polymerization chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. MTHFR 2572C>A and TS 1100C>T were associated with the prevalence of osteoporosis (MTHFR 2572CC versus CA+AA: odd ratio [OR] adjusted age, hypertention [HTN], and diabetes mellitus [DM] = 0.49, p = 0.012) and the occurrence of OVCFs (MTHFR 2572CC versus CA+AA: OR adjusted age, HTN, and DM = 0.38, p = 0.013; TS 1100CC versus CT+TT: OR adjusted age, HTN, and DM = 0.46, p = 0.02). Our novel finding is the identification of MTHFR and TS genetic variants that decrease susceptibility to OVCFs. Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the MTHFR and TS genes are associated with susceptibility to osteoporosis and OVCFs in postmenopausal women.

Association of MTHFR polymorphism and periodontitis’ severity in Indonesian males

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auerkari, E. I.; Purwandhita, R.; Kim, K. R.; Djamal, N.; Masulili, S. L. C.; Suryandari, D. A.; Talbot, C.

2018-05-01

Periodontitis is an oral disease with a complex etiology and pathogenesis, but with a suspected contribution by genetic factors. This study aimed to assess the association of polymorphism in MTHFR (methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, C677T) gene and the severity of periodontitis in Indonesian males. Severity of periodontitis was classified as mild, moderate or severe for 100 consenting, 25 to 60 years old male Indonesians. Using PCR amplification for DNA extracted from blood serum samples, the variation at the SNP polymorphism of the MTHFR (C677T) gene was evaluated by using RFLP, cutting by the restriction enzyme HinfI and subjecting the fragments to electrophoresis on agarose gel. Chi-square testing was mainly used for statistical assessment of the results. The CC genotype (wild type) of the tested polymorphism was the most common variant (78%) and TT (mutant) genotype relatively rare (2%), so that C-allele appeared in 88% of the cases and T-allele in 12% of the cases. The results suggest that there is no significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the severity of periodontitis in the tested Indonesian males.

A literature review of MTHFR (C677T and A1298C polymorphisms) and cancer risk.

PubMed

Izmirli, Muzeyyen

2013-01-01

5,10-Methlenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is one of the most important enzymes for folate metabolism. This enzyme is mapped on chromosome 1, which is located at the end of the short arm (1p36.3). The C677T and A1298C are MTHFR polymorphisms that decrease in vitro MTHFR enzyme activity. Folate metabolism plays a key role in cell metabolism. These reactions are associated with purine-pyrimidine synthesis: DNA, RNA, and protein methylation. Polymorphism is also a factor in biodiversity, and be affected by ethnic heritage and geographic locale. In the case of unknown outcomes, not only should all geographical regions be investigated to ascertain biodiversity, but all populations as well to fully understand the variations in the effect. PUBMED was searched from January 2006 to December 2011 to develop an investigatory pursuit strategy. MTHFR, cancer, C677T, A1298C, and polymorphisms were key words used to focus the search. The literature review included all published relevant cancer types and MTHFR polymorphisms for that 5 years period. All selected polymorphisms data for cancer types was listed in tables for easy access and retrieval.

Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and MTHFR Mutation in Patients with Preeclamsia, Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Placental Abruption.

PubMed

Livrinova, Vesna; Lega, Marija Hadzi; Dimcheva, Anita Hristova; Samardziski, Igor; Isjanovska, Rozalinda

2015-12-15

Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and MTHFR gene mutation, could have an influence in pregnancy with adverse outcome Preeclamsia, IUGR and Placental abruption. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of above mentioned inherited thrombophilias and its statistical significance, distribution among the complicated and normal pregnancy, and relative risk for carrier of mutation to develop preeclampsia, IUGR and placental abruption. Prospective cohort study is implemented at University Clinic for Obstetric and Gynecology in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. The study included 109 delivered patients: 40 with preeclapmsia, 22 with IUGR, 17 with placental abruption and 30 as control group with normal pregnancy. The amount of 3 ml venous blood has been used for detection of these point mutations using ThromboStrip -Opegen, QIAGEN kit manufactured for thrombotic risk. The highest frequency was found: in the group with preeclampsia 35% were MTHFR homozygous, IUGR -MTHFR heterozygous 45%, Placental abruption- 52.9% MTHFR heterozygous, and in the control group without thrombophilia 56.7%. There were combined thrombophilia in 3 patients. There aren`t statistical significance in presence of thrombophilia among groups (p > 0.05). Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was found between carriers of MTHFR homozygous in preeclampsia and group with placental abruption and control group. Relative risk in IUGR group for MTHFR homozygous was 5.54 (1.37MTHFR homozygous could increase the risk for development of IUGR and mutation of Factor V Leiden for placental abruption. Further investigations with more patients are warranted.

Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and MTHFR Mutation in Patients with Preeclamsia, Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Placental Abruption

PubMed Central

Livrinova, Vesna; Lega, Marija Hadzi; Dimcheva, Anita Hristova; Samardziski, Igor; Isjanovska, Rozalinda

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and MTHFR gene mutation, could have an influence in pregnancy with adverse outcome Preeclamsia, IUGR and Placental abruption. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of above mentioned inherited thrombophilias and its statistical significance, distribution among the complicated and normal pregnancy, and relative risk for carrier of mutation to develop preeclampsia, IUGR and placental abruption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study is implemented at University Clinic for Obstetric and Gynecology in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. The study included 109 delivered patients: 40 with preeclapmsia, 22 with IUGR, 17 with placental abruption and 30 as control group with normal pregnancy. The amount of 3 ml venous blood has been used for detection of these point mutations using ThromboStrip -Opegen, QIAGEN kit manufactured for thrombotic risk. RESULTS: The highest frequency was found: in the group with preeclampsia 35% were MTHFR homozygous, IUGR -MTHFR heterozygous 45%, Placental abruption- 52.9% MTHFR heterozygous, and in the control group without thrombophilia 56.7%. There were combined thrombophilia in 3 patients. There aren`t statistical significance in presence of thrombophilia among groups (p > 0.05). Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was found between carriers of MTHFR homozygous in preeclampsia and group with placental abruption and control group. Relative risk in IUGR group for MTHFR homozygous was 5.54 (1.37MTHFR homozygous could increase the risk for development of IUGR and mutation of Factor V Leiden for placental abruption. Further investigations with more patients are warranted. PMID:27275292

Association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and male infertility: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiang; Yin, Guo-Ying; Liu, Juan; Liang, Yue; Li, Yao-Yan; Zhao, Jing-Yu; Zhang, Li-Wen; Wang, Bai-Qi; Tang, Nai-Jun

2017-04-01

There have been several epidemiological studies evaluating the potential association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C polymorphism and the risk of male infertility. However, the results obtained were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to further examine the association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and male infertility. A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all eligible studies from the online literature databases published prior to January 15th, 2016. A total of 20 studies with 4293 cases and 4507 controls were included. An odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to assess the strength of the association. A cumulative meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis and assessment of the publication bias were also performed in this study. The results showed that in the overall analysis, the association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and male infertility was not significant. A stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed a significant increase in the risk of male infertility in the Asian population with the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism (especially in the heterozygote model: OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.01-1.44, P=0.994; the dominant model: OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.04-1.45, P=0.996; and the allele model: OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.04-1.39, P=0.985) but not in the Caucasian population. In the stratified analyses, no significant association was observed between the different types of male infertility. This meta-analysis suggests the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may be a potential risk factor for male infertility, especially in the Asian population.

Plasma folate, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and colorectal cancer risk in three large nested case-control studies

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Few prospective studies have examined the associations between blood levels of folate, in conjunction with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms, and colorectal cancer. We evaluated the associations between plasma folate, MTHFR C677T, and A1298C, and colorectal cancer in three la...

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T Polymorphism and Alzheimer Disease Risk: a Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Rai, Vandana

2017-03-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is key enzyme of folate/homocysteine pathway. Case control association studies on MTHFR C677T polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been repeatedly performed over the last two decades, but the results are inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of MTHFR C677T polymorphism for AD. Forty-one studies were identified by a search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Springer Link databases, up to January 2015. Odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed effect model or random effect model. The subgroup analyses based on ethnicity were performed. MTHFR C677T polymorphism had a significant association with susceptibility to AD in all genetic models (for T vs C OR = 1.29, 95 % CI = 1.07-1.56, p = 0.003; for TT + CT vs CC OR = 1.29, 95 % CI = 1.19-1.40, p = 0.0004; for TT vs CC OR = 1.31, 95 % CI = 1.16-1.48, p = 0.001; for CT vs CC OR = 1.24, 95 % CI = 1.13-1.35, p < 0.004; and for TT vs CT + CC OR = 1.13, 95 % CI = 1.00-1.28, p = 0.02). Results of present meta-analysis supported that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of AD.

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis with a heterozygous deactivating LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) mutation and a homozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism.

PubMed

Cook, Fiona J; Mumm, Steven; Whyte, Michael P; Wenkert, Deborah

2014-04-01

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare, idiopathic disorder that usually presents with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) within 6 months of a first pregnancy and delivery. Spontaneous improvement is typical. There is no known genetic basis for PAO. A 26-year-old primagravida with a neonatal history of unilateral blindness attributable to hyperplastic primary vitreous sustained postpartum VCFs consistent with PAO. Her low bone mineral density (BMD) seemed to respond to vitamin D and calcium therapy, with no fractures after her next successful pregnancy. Investigation of subsequent fetal losses revealed homozygosity for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism associated both with fetal loss and with osteoporosis (OP). Because her neonatal unilateral blindness and OP were suggestive of loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene that encodes LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), LRP5 exon and splice site sequencing was also performed. This revealed a unique heterozygous 12-bp deletion in exon 21 (c.4454_4465del, p.1485_1488del SSSS) in the patient, her mother and sons, but not her father or brother. Her mother had a normal BMD, no history of fractures, PAO, ophthalmopathy, or fetal loss. Her two sons had no ophthalmopathy and no skeletal issues. Her osteoporotic father (with a family history of blindness) and brother had low BMDs first documented at ages ∼40 and 32 years, respectively. Serum biochemical and bone turnover studies were unremarkable in all subjects. We postulate that our patient's heterozygous LRP5 mutation together with her homozygous MTHFR polymorphism likely predisposed her to low peak BMD. However, OP did not cosegregate in her family with the LRP5 mutation, the homozygous MTHFR polymorphism, or even the combination of the two, implicating additional genetic or nongenetic factors in her PAO. Nevertheless, exploration for potential genetic contributions to PAO may explain part of the pathogenesis of this

Association of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) polymorphisms in Korean patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Oh, Doyeun; Kim, Nam Keun; Jang, Moon Ju; Kim, Hugh Chul; Lee, Jae Hoon; Lee, Jung Ae; Ahn, Myung Ju; Kim, Chul Soo; Kim, Heung Sik; Park, Seonyang; Chio, Hyun Sook; Min, Yoo Hong

2007-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a central role in converting folate to methyl donor for DNA methylation. Because MTHFR is a key enzyme in folate metabolism, changes in its activity resulting from polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene could modify the susceptibility to cancer. Recently, the C677T and A1298C mutations of MTHFR were discovered to be associated with susceptibility in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The association between MTHFR polymorphisms and susceptibility and clinical outcome in ALL was studied in 118 adult ALL patients and matched healthy controls (n =427). DNA samples taken from patients with ALL and controls were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assays to detect the MTHFR C677T and A1298C mutations. No significant difference was found in the development of adult ALL among those with different MTHFR genotypes of the C677T or A1298C polymorphisms. However, the MTHFR 677CT+TT genotype showed a tendency to be associated with adult ALL [crude odds ratio (OR), 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44-1.02; adjusted OR, 0.74 95% CI, 0.47-1.14]. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are not significant risk factors in adult acute leukemia in the Korean population.

Folate Metabolism Gene 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Is Associated with ADHD in Myelomeningocele Patients

PubMed Central

Spellicy, Catherine J.; Northrup, Hope; Fletcher, Jack M.; Cirino, Paul T.; Dennis, Maureen; Morrison, Alanna C.; Martinez, Carla A.; Au, Kit Sing

2012-01-01

The objective of this study was to examine the relation between the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and behaviors related to attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in individuals with myelomeningocele. The rationale for the study was twofold: folate metabolizing genes, (e.g. MTHFR), are important not only in the etiology of neural tube defects but are also critical to cognitive function; and individuals with myelomeningocele have an elevated incidence of ADHD. Here, we tested 478 individuals with myelomeningocele for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder behavior using the Swanson Nolan Achenbach Pelham-IV ADHD rating scale. Myelomeningocele participants in this group for whom DNAs were available were genotyped for seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTHFR gene. The SNPs were evaluated for an association with manifestation of the ADHD phenotype in children with myelomeningocele. The data show that 28.7% of myelomeningocele participants exhibit rating scale elevations consistent with ADHD; of these 70.1% had scores consistent with the predominantly inattentive subtype. In addition, we also show a positive association between the SNP rs4846049 in the 3′-untranslated region of the MTHFR gene and the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder phenotype in myelomeningocele participants. These results lend further support to the finding that behavior related to ADHD is more prevalent in patients with myelomeningocele than in the general population. These data also indicate the potential importance of the MTHFR gene in the etiology of the ADHD phenotype. PMID:23227261

Polymorphisms in TS, MTHFR and ERCC1 genes as predictive markers in first-line platinum and pemetrexed therapy in NSCLC patients.

PubMed

Krawczyk, Paweł; Kucharczyk, Tomasz; Kowalski, Dariusz M; Powrózek, Tomasz; Ramlau, Rodryg; Kalinka-Warzocha, Ewa; Winiarczyk, Kinga; Knetki-Wróblewska, Magdalena; Wojas-Krawczyk, Kamila; Kałakucka, Katarzyna; Dyszkiewicz, Wojciech; Krzakowski, Maciej; Milanowski, Janusz

2014-12-01

We presented retrospective analysis of up to five polymorphisms in TS, MTHFR and ERCC1 genes as molecular predictive markers for homogeneous Caucasian, non-squamous NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed and platinum front-line chemotherapy. The following polymorphisms in DNA isolated from 115 patients were analyzed: various number of 28-bp tandem repeats in 5'-UTR region of TS gene, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the second tandem repeat of TS gene (G>C); 6-bp deletion in 3'-UTR region of the TS (1494del6); 677C>T SNP in MTHFR; 19007C>T SNP in ERCC1. Molecular examinations' results were correlated with disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. Polymorphic tandem repeat sequence (2R, 3R) in the enhancer region of TS gene and G>C SNP within the second repeat of 3R allele seem to be important for the effectiveness of platinum and pemetrexed in first-line chemotherapy. The insignificant shortening of PFS in 3R/3R homozygotes as compared to 2R/2R and 2R/3R genotypes were observed, while it was significantly shorter in patients carrying synchronous 3R allele and G nucleotide. The combined analysis of TS VNTR and MTHFR 677C>T SNP revealed shortening of PFS in synchronous carriers of 3R allele in TS and two C alleles in MTHFR. The strongest factors increased the risk of progression were poor PS, weight loss, anemia and synchronous presence of 3R allele and G nucleotide in the second repeat of 3R allele in TS. Moreover, lack of application of second-line chemotherapy, weight loss and poor performance status and above-mentioned genotype of TS gene increased risk of early mortality. The examined polymorphisms should be accounted as molecular predictor factors for pemetrexed- and platinum-based front-line chemotherapy in non-squamous NSCLC patients.

Meta-analysis of the association of MTHFR polymorphisms with multiple myeloma risk

PubMed Central

Ma, Li-Min; Ruan, Lin-Hai; Yang, Hai-Ping

2015-01-01

The association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms with multiple myeloma (MM) risk has been explored, but the results remain controversial. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to provide a comprehensively estimate. The case-control studies about MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with MM risk were collected by searching PubMed, Elsevier, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Databases. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the strength of association. Overall, no significant association was found between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and MM risk under all four genetic models (AC vs. AA, OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.82-1.20; CC vs. AA, OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 0.77-1.68; recessive model, OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 0.76-1.59; dominant model, OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.84-1.22). The risk was also not significantly altered for C677T polymorphism and MM in overall comparisons (CT vs. CC, OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.93-1.17; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 0.98-1.37; recessive model, OR = 1.13, 95%CI = 0.98-1.32; dominant model, OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.96-1.20). In subgroup analyses by ethnicity, no significant association was observed in both Caucasians and Asians. This meta-analysis suggested that MTHFR polymorphisms were not associated with MM risk. PMID:26022785

COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T moderate risk of schizophrenia in response to childhood adversity.

PubMed

Debost, J-C; Debost, M; Grove, J; Mors, O; Hougaard, D M; Børglum, A D; Mortensen, P B; Petersen, L

2017-07-01

Mesolimbic dopamine sensitization has been hypothesized to be a mediating factor of childhood adversity (CA) on schizophrenia risk. Activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met increases mesolimbic dopamine signaling and may be further regulated by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T. This study investigates the three-way interaction between CA, COMT, and MTHFR. We conducted a nested case-control study on individuals born after 1981, linking population-based registers to study the three-way interaction. We included 1699 schizophrenia cases and 1681 controls, and used conditional logistic regression to report incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Childhood adversity was robustly associated with schizophrenia. No main genetic effects were observed. MTHFR C677T increased schizophrenia risk in a dose-dependent manner per MTHFR T allele (P = 0.005) consequent upon CA exposure. After inclusion of the significant (P = 0.03) COMT × MTHFR × CA interaction, the risk was further increased per high-activity COMT Val allele. Hence, exposed COMT Val/Val and MTHFR T/T carriers had an IRR of 2.76 (95% CI, 1.66-4.61). Additional adjustments for ancestry and parental history of mental illness attenuated the results with the interaction being only marginally significant. MTHFR C677T and COMT Val158Met interact with CA to increase risk of schizophrenia. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Methotrexate consolidation treatment according to pharmacogenetics of MTHFR ameliorates event-free survival in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

PubMed

Salazar, J; Altés, A; del Río, E; Estella, J; Rives, S; Tasso, M; Navajas, A; Molina, J; Villa, M; Vivanco, J L; Torrent, M; Baiget, M; Badell, I

2012-10-01

Recent advances in treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have significantly increased outcome. High-dose methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used regimen during the consolidation period, but the optimal dose remains to be defined. We investigated the usefulness of the MTHFR genotype to increase the MTX dosage in the consolidation phase in 141 childhood ALL patients enrolled in the ALL/SHOP-2005 protocol. We also investigated the pharmacogenetic role of polymorphisms in genes involved in MTX metabolism on therapy-related toxicity and survival. Patients with a favourable MTHFR genotype (normal enzymatic activity) treated with MTX doses of 5 g m⁻² had a significantly lower risk of suffering an event than patients with an unfavourable MTHFR genotype (reduced enzymatic activity) that were treated with the classical MTX dose of 3 g m⁻² (P=0.012). Our results indicate that analysis of the MTHFR genotype is a useful tool to optimise MTX therapy in childhood patients with ALL.

MTHFR 677TT genotype and disease risk: is there a modulating role for B-vitamins?

PubMed

Reilly, R; McNulty, H; Pentieva, K; Strain, J J; Ward, M

2014-02-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical folate-metabolising enzyme which requires riboflavin as its co-factor. A common polymorphism (677C→T) in the MTHFR gene results in reduced MTHFR activity in vivo which in turn leads to impaired folate metabolism and elevated homocysteine concentrations. Homozygosity for this polymorphism (TT genotype) is associated with an increased risk of a number of conditions including heart disease and stroke, but there is considerable variability in the extent of excess risk in various reports. The present review will explore the evidence which supports a role for this polymorphism as a risk factor for a number of adverse health outcomes, and the potential modulating roles for B-vitamins in alleviating disease risk. The evidence is convincing in the case which links this polymorphism with hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia. Furthermore, elevated blood pressure was found to be highly responsive to riboflavin intervention specifically in individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype. Future intervention studies targeted at these genetically predisposed individuals are required to further investigate this novel gene-nutrient interaction. This polymorphism has also been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTD) and other adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, the evidence in this area has been inconsistent. Preliminary evidence has suggested that there may be a much greater need for women with the MTHFR 677TT genotype to adhere to the specific recommendation of commencing folic acid prior to conception for the prevention of NTD, but this requires further investigation.

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C>T polymorphism increases the risk of developing chronic myeloid leukemia-a case-control study.

PubMed

Bănescu, Claudia; Iancu, Mihaela; Trifa, Adrian P; Macarie, Ioan; Dima, Delia; Dobreanu, Minodora

2015-04-01

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C>T and 1298 A>C polymorphisms are associated with variations in folate levels, a phenomenon linked to the development of various malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the 677 C>T and 1298 A>C polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene on the risk of developing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Our study included 151 patients with CML and 305 controls. The MTHFR 677 C>T and 1298 A>C polymorphisms were investigated by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele-specific PCR techniques. The CT and TT genotypes of the MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphism were associated with an increased risk of developing CML (odds ratio (OR) = 1.556, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.017-2.381, p value = 0.041, and OR = 1.897, 95% CI = 1.046-3.44, p value = 0.035, respectively). No association was observed between the prognostic factors (blasts, basophils, additional chromosomal abnormalities, EUTOS score, Sokal and Hasford risk groups) and the MTHFR 677 C>T and 1298 A>C variant genotypes in CML patients. Our study shows that the MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphism is significantly associated with the risk of CML in Romanian patients.

Impact of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms on methotrexate-induced toxicities in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Yang, Lin; Hu, Xin; Xu, Luhang

2012-10-01

The associations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and methotrexate (MTX)-induced toxicities in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been evaluated in various populations, with the results remained conflicting. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis by combining available data to derive a more precise estimation of the association. PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched until 21 September 2011 to identify eligible studies. A total of 14 studies were included, with all studies investigating MTHFR C677T polymorphism while nine of them investigating MTHFR A1298C polymorphism only. Results suggested that MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with significantly increased risk of MTX-induced toxicity, specifically liver toxicity (TT/CT vs. CC: odds ratio (OR) = 1.70, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-2.75), myelosuppression (TT vs. CT/CC: OR = 2.82, 95 %CI = 1.25-6.34), oral mucositis (TT/CT vs. CC: OR = 3.68, 95 %CI = 1.73-7.85), gastrointestinal toxicity (TT/CT vs. CC: OR = 2.36, 95 %CI = 1.36-4.11), and skin toxicity (T vs. C: OR = 2.26, 95 %CI = 1.07-4.74). MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was found to be associated with decreased risk of skin toxicity (CC/AC vs. AA: OR = 0.11, 95 %CI = 0.01-0.85). Genotyping of MTHFR polymorphism, C677T particularly, prior to treatment for ALL is likely to be useful with the aim of tailoring MTX therapy and thus reducing the MTX-related toxicities. However, further studies with larger data set and well-designed models are required to validate our findings.

Association analysis of COMT/MTHFR polymorphisms and major depressive disorder in Chinese Han population.

PubMed

Shen, Xinhua; Wu, Yanfeng; Guan, Tiefeng; Wang, Xiaoquan; Qian, Mincai; Lin, Min; Shen, Zhongxia; Sun, Jushui; Zhong, Hua; Yang, Jianhong; Li, Liang; Yuan, Yonggui

2014-06-01

In several previous biochemical and genetic studies, the Val158Met polymorphism of the gene encoding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and the C677T polymorphism of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as the treatment response of major depressive disorder (MDD), but the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we investigate the association of COMT/MTHFR and their interactions with MDD and antidepressant response in Chinese Han population. Three hundred and sixty eight depressed patients who met DSM-IV criteria for MDD were recruited for the study. Two hundred and nineteen normal controls were recruited from the local community. Patients and normal controls were genotyped for the functional COMT val158met and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms. Patients were characterized for clinical response to antidepressant treatment as measured by intra-individual changes of Hamilton Depression (HAMD-17) scores over 6 weeks. The T allele (OR=1.81; CI95%=1.40-2.34, P<0.001) and C/T genotype (OR=3.66; CI95% =2.53-5.28, P<0.001) of MTHFR C677T were significantly different between case and control groups. The COMT Met/Val genotype was more common among depressed individuals than among controls (OR=1.52, CI95%=1.04-2.21, P=0.02). There is disequilibrium in age and sex between case and control groups. Though we control the two variables in the statistic analysis, to be more accurate, we need to increase sample size in further study. Individuals with the genotype COMT Met/Val and MTHFR C/T have more probability of suffering from MDD. However, there is no association between gene polymorphism and treatment response. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synergistic effect of methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphism as risk modifiers of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Kamel, Azza M; Moussa, Heba S; Ebid, Gamal T; Bu, Rong R; Bhatia, Kishor G

2007-06-01

ALL is the most common pediatric cancer. The causes of the majority of pediatric acute leukemia are unknown and are likely to involve an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, unfavourable gene-environmental interactions might be involved in the genesis of ALL. The aim of this work was to evaluate, in a case-control study, whether the common polymorphisms in 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) namely (C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase (MS) (A2756G) genes may play a role in altering susceptibility to pediatric ALL as individual genes and in combination. DNA of 88 ALL patients (age < or = 18 years) and 311 healthy control subjects was analyzed for the polymorphisms of MTHFR and MS genes using PCR-RFLP method. The frequencies of the wild types of MTHFR 677CC, MTHFR 1298AA and MS 2756AA, the homozygous genotypes of MTHFR 677TT, MTHFR 1298CC and MS 2756GG and heterozygous genotypes of MTHFR 677CT and MS 2756AG showed no statistically significant differences between patients and controls. The frequency of the MTHFR 1298AC heterozygous genotype was 25% among patients compared to 45.0% among controls; the difference was found to be statistically significant (p value =0.001, O.R=0.382 & 95% C.I=0.222-0.658). The frequency of the MTHFR1298AC heterozygous genotype plus 1298CC homozygous genotype was 34% among patients compared to 54.3% among controls and the difference was statistically significant (p value =0.001). A synergistic effect of 677CT and1298AC (CTAC) was observed, (p value=0.002) with 3.65 fold protection (OR 0.273 & 95% C.I=0.155-0.9) compared to 2.6 folds for MTHFR 1298AC alone. This protective effect of CTAC polymorphism was abolished when combined with MS 2756AA or AG. The present study provided further evidence for the protective role of MTHFR 1298AC mutant alleles in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children (2.6 fold protection). This suggests that folate and methionine metabolism play an important role in the

MTHFR methylation moderates the impact of smoking on DNA methylation at AHRR for African American young adults.

PubMed

Beach, Steven R H; Lei, Man Kit; Ong, Mei Ling; Brody, Gene H; Dogan, Meeshanthini V; Philibert, Robert A

2017-09-01

Smoking has been shown to have a large, reliable, and rapid effect on demethylation of AHRR, particularly at cg05575921, suggesting that methylation may be used as an index of cigarette consumption. Because the availability of methyl donors may also influence the degree of demethylation in response to smoking, factors that affect the activity of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a key regulator of methyl group availability, may be of interest. In the current investigation, we examined the extent to which individual differences in methylation of MTHFR moderated the association between smoking and demethylation at cg05575921 as well as at other loci on AHRR associated with a main effect of smoking. Using a discovery sample (AIM, N = 293), and a confirmatory sample (SHAPE, N = 368) of young adult African Americans, degree of methylation of loci in the first exon of MTHFR was associated with amplification of the association between smoking and AHRR demethylation at cg05575921. However, genetic variation at a commonly studied MTHFR variant, C677T, did not influence cg05575921 methylation. The significant interaction between MTHFR methylation and the smoking-induced response at cg05575921 suggests a role for individual differences in methyl cycle regulation in understanding the effects of cigarette consumption on genome wide DNA methylation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

MTHFR 677CC/1298CC genotypes are highly associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia: a case-control study in Korea.

PubMed

Moon, Hee Won; Kim, Tae Young; Oh, Bo Ra; Min, Hyun Chung; Cho, Han Ik; Bang, Soo Mee; Lee, Jae Hoon; Yoon, Sung Soo; Lee, Dong Soon

2007-09-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme involved in folate metabolism and DNA methylation. Studies on MTHFR polymorphism in leukemia have largely focused on the protective role of MTHFR polymorphism in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We evaluated the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay in various malignancies. The study population included 115 subjects with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 200 with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 196 with multiple myeloma (MM) and 434 healthy control subjects. The frequency of 1298CC was statistically significantly higher in subjects with CML than that of the controls (OR=5.12, 95% CI: 1.75-14.9, P-value=.003). Of note, the frequencies of 677CC/1298CC genotype were statistically significantly higher in subjects with CML, AML and MM than that of the controls (OR=8.8, 3.5, 3.83, P-value=.002, 0.036, 0.023, respectively). Our results demonstrate that the MTHFR 1298CC homozygote variant is strongly associated with an increased risk of CML, while MTHFR C677T does not significantly affect the risk of CML. Moreover, we demonstrated that MTHFR 677CC and 1298CC genotype might have combined effect on risk of CML, AML and MM and it is inferred that the A1298C may play a different role in carcinogenesis, depending on the types of organs involved, the types of disease entities and the genotype of C677T.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and the risk of primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in a Chinese population

PubMed Central

Cao, Wei; Zhang, Zuo-Feng; Cai, Lin; Jiang, Qing-Wu; You, Nai-Chieh; Goldstein, Binh Yang; Wei, Guo-Rong; Chen, Chuan-Wei; Lu, Qing-Yi; Zhou, Xue-Fu; Ding, Bao-Guo; Chang, Jun; Yu, Shun-Zhang

2014-01-01

Objectives Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), which is expressed in the liver, may be involved in both DNA methylation and DNA synthesis. It is also indicated as a potential risk factor of liver cancer in patients with chronic liver disease. To date, no study has been conducted on MTHFR and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a population-based design. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene on the risk of primary liver cancer and their possible effect modifications on various environmental risk factors. Methods A population-based case–control study was conducted in Taixing, China. MTHFR C677T and A1298C were assayed by PCR-RFLP techniques. Results The frequency of MTHFR 677 C/C wild homo-zygotes genotype was 25.8% in cases, which was lower than that in controls (34.5%). The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the MTHFR 677 C/T and T/T genotype were 1.66(95% CI: 1.06–2.61), 1.21(95% CI: 0.65–2.28) respectively when compared with the MTHFR 677 C/C genotype. Subjects carrying any T genotype have the increased risk of 1.55(95% CI: 1.01–2.40) for development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. A high degree of linkage disequilibrium was observed between the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, with the D′ of 0.887 and p < 0.01. The MTHFR 677 any T genotype was suggested to have potentially more than multiplicative interactions with raw water drinking with p-value for adjusted interaction of 0.03. Conclusion We observed that the MTHFR 677 C/T genotype was associated with an increased risk of primary liver cancer in a Chinese population. The polymorphism of MTHFR 677 might modify the effects of raw water drinking on the risk of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. PMID:17503006

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) are associated with susceptibility to adult acute myeloid leukemia in a Chinese population.

PubMed

Huang, Lulu; Deng, Donghong; Peng, Zhigang; Ye, Fanghui; Xiao, Qiang; Zhang, Bing; Ye, Bingbing; Mo, Zengnan; Yang, Xiaobo; Liu, Zhenfang

2015-06-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an essential enzyme in the metabolism of folate. Since acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by rapidly proliferating tissues that have a high requirement for DNA synthesis, it is possible that the presence of MTHFR polymorphisms could be linked to the multifactorial process of AML development. We evaluated the role of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in a case-control study comprising 98 AML patients and 2016 healthy controls in a Southern Chinese population. We further conducted a sub-study restricted to individuals who neither smoked nor drank alcohol (70 AML patients and 160 healthy controls). MTHFR polymorphisms in the patient and control groups were evaluated by SNaP shot genotype techniques and Illumina BeadChip, respectively. Logistic regression was used to assess the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The MTHFR 1298AC genotype and the 677CC/1298AC haplotype were significantly associated with a decreased risk of AML compared with the AA genotype and 677CC/1298AA haplotype (OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.38-0.95, P=0.03; OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.27-0.90, P=0.02, respectively). In addition, the 677TT genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of AML compared with the AA genotype only in non-smokers and non-drinkers (OR=4.78; 95% CI=1.38-16.61, P=0.01). The results might suggest that MTHFR polymorphisms are significantly associated with AML risk. In addition, the role of MTHFR genetic susceptibility could be greater among non-smokers and non-drinkers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and promoter methylation in cervical oncogenic lesions and cancer

PubMed Central

Botezatu, Anca; Socolov, Demetra; Iancu, Iulia V; Huica, Irina; Plesa, Adriana; Ungureanu, Carmen; Anton, Gabriela

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and MTHFR methylation pattern in cervical lesions development among women from Romania, a country with high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infections. To achieve this goal, blood samples and cervical cytology specimens (n = 77)/tumour tissue specimens (n = 23) were investigated. As control, blood and negative cytological smears (n = 50) were used. A statistically significant association was found between T allele of C677T polymorphism and cervical lesions, heterozygote women presenting a threefold increased risk (normal/cervical lesions and tumours: wild homozygote 34/41 (0.68/0.41), heterozygote 14/51 (0.28/0.51), mutant homozygote 2/8 (0.04/0.08); OR = 3.081, P = 0.0035). Using χ square test for the control group, the HPV-negative and HPV-positive patients with cervix lesions, a significant correlation between viral infection and T allele of C677T polymorphism (P = 0.0287) was found. The MTHFR promoter was methylated in all HGSIL and tumour samples, significant differences being noted between HPV-positive samples, control group and cases of cervical dysplastic lesions without HPV DNA (P < 0. 0001) and between samples from patients with high-risk (hr)HPV versus low-risk (lr)HPV (P = 0.0026). No correlations between polymorphisms and methylation were observed. In Romania, individuals carrying T allele are susceptible for cervical lesions. MTHFR promoter methylation is associated with cervical severity lesions and with hrHPV. PMID:23444906

Effects of Common Polymorphisms in the MTHFR and ACE Genes on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Progression: a Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Wu, Shuai; Han, Yan; Hu, Qiang; Zhang, Xiaojie; Cui, Guangcheng; Li, Zezhi; Guan, Yangtai

2017-05-01

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C>T and ACE I/D polymorphisms in the development of DPN. We systematically reviewed published studies on MTHFR 677 C>T and ACE I/D polymorphisms and DPN found in various types of electronic databases. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) quality score systems were used to determine the quality of the articles selected for inclusion. Odds ratios (ORs) and its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were calculated. We used STATA statistical software (version 12.0, Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA) to deal with statistical data. Our results indicated an association of ACE D>I mutation (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.12-1.83, P = 0.004) and MTHFR 677 C>T mutation (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.08-1.90, P = 0.014) with DPN under the allele model, and similar results were also found under the dominant model (all P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis by country indicated that the MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphism may be the main risk factor for DPN in Turkey under four genetic models. ACE D>I mutation was correlated with DPN in Japanese and Pakistani populations in the majority of groups. The relationships of MTHFR 677 C>T and ACE I/D polymorphisms with DPN patients presented in this meta-analyses support the view that the MTHFR and ACE genes might play an important role in the development of DPN.

Correlation between TS, MTHFR, and ERCC1 gene polymorphisms and the efficacy of platinum in combination with pemetrexed first-line chemotherapy in mesothelioma patients.

PubMed

Powrózek, Tomasz; Kowalski, Dariusz M; Krawczyk, Paweł; Ramlau, Rodryg; Kucharczyk, Tomasz; Kalinka-Warzocha, Ewa; Knetki-Wróblewska, Magdalena; Winiarczyk, Kinga; Dyszkiewicz, Wojciech; Krzakowski, Maciej; Milanowski, Janusz

2014-11-01

The combination of pemetrexed and platinum compound represents the standard regimen for first-line chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. Pemetrexed is a multitarget antifolate agent that inhibits folate-dependent enzymes (eg, thymidylate synthase [TS]) and thus synthesis of nucleotides and DNA. Expression of TS and folate availability, regulated by gene polymorphisms, have implications for effectiveness of chemotherapy and the outcome of mesothelioma patients. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to assess the correlation between TS, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) gene polymorphisms and the efficacy of pemetrexed-based first-line chemotherapy of mesothelioma patients. Fifty-nine mesothelioma patients (31 men with a median age of 62 years) treated in first-line chemotherapy with platinum in combination with pemetrexed or pemetrexed monotherapy were enrolled. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood. Using polymerase chain reaction and high resolution melt methods, the variable number of tandem repeat, the G>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in these repeats, and 6-base pair (bp) insertion/deletion polymorphism of the TS gene, the SNP of 677C>T in MTHFR, and 19007C>T in the ERCC1 gene were analyzed and correlated with disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of mesothelioma patients. Greater risk of early disease progression (PD), and shortening of PFS and OS were associated with several clinical factors (eg, anemia for early PD and OS), weight loss (for PFS and OS), and previous surgical treatment (for early PD, PFS, and OS). Insertion of 6-bp in both alleles of the TS gene (1494del6) was the only genetic factor that increased the incidence of early progression (P = .028) and shortening of median PFS (P = .06) in patients treated with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, the 1494del6 in the

Association between MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphism and spontaneous abortion with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy.

PubMed

Kim, Shin Young; Park, So Yeon; Choi, Ji Won; Kim, Do Jin; Lee, Shin Yeong; Lim, Ji Hyae; Han, Jung Yeol; Ryu, Hyun Mee; Kim, Min Hyoung

2011-10-01

PROBLEM  Polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metabolism are commonly associated with defects in folate-dependent homocysteine metabolism, which can result in DNA hypomethylation and chromosome nondisjunction. This prospective study aimed to investigate the associations between MTHFR 677C>T, MTHFR 1298A>C, MTR 2756A>G, MTRR 66A>G, and CBS 844ins68 polymorphisms and spontaneous abortion (SA) with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy. METHOD OF STUDY  Subjects included 33 SA with normal fetal karyotype, 24 SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy and 155 normal controls. Polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and QF-PCR analysis. RESULTS  The frequencies of MTHFR 1298AC and combined 1298AC/CC genotypes were higher in SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy than in controls. The 1298C allele frequency was also significantly higher in SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy than in controls. Moreover, the 1298C allele frequency was higher in SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy than in SA with normal fetal karyotype. The combined 1298AC/CC genotype was significantly associated with the risk of SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy compared with that of the 1298AA genotype (adjusted OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.11-7.69). There was no association between SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy and other polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS  Our findings indicate that MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for SA with fetal chromosomal aneuploidy. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Folate Intake, Mthfr Genotype, and Sex Modulate Choline Metabolism in Mice123

PubMed Central

Chew, Tina W.; Jiang, Xinyin; Yan, Jian; Wang, Wei; Lusa, Amanda L.; Carrier, Bradley J.; West, Allyson A.; Malysheva, Olga V.; Brenna, J. Thomas; Gregory, Jesse F.; Caudill, Marie A.

2011-01-01

Choline and folate are interrelated in 1-carbon metabolism, mostly because of their shared function as methyl donors for homocysteine remethylation. Folate deficiency and mutations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) reduce the availability of a major methyl donor, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which in turn may lead to compensatory changes in choline metabolism. This study investigated the hypothesis that reductions in methyl group supply, either due to dietary folate deficiency or Mthfr gene deletion, would modify tissue choline metabolism in a sex-specific manner. Mthfr wild type (+/+) or heterozygous (+/−) knockout mice were randomized to a folate-deficient or control diet for 8 wk during which time deuterium-labeled choline (d9-choline) was consumed in the drinking water (~10 μmol/d). Mthfr heterozygosity did not alter brain choline metabolite concentrations, but it did enhance their labeling in males (P < 0.05) and tended to do so in females (P < 0.10), a finding consistent with greater turnover of dietary choline in brains of +/− mice. Dietary folate deficiency in females yielded 52% higher (P = 0.027) hepatic glycerophosphocholine, which suggests that phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) degradation was enhanced. Labeling of the hepatic PtdCho in d3 form was also reduced (P < 0.001) in females, which implies that fewer of the dietary choline-derived methyl groups were used for de novo PtdCho biosynthesis under conditions of folate insufficiency. Males responded to folate restriction with a doubling (P < 0.001) of hepatic choline dehydrogenase transcripts, a finding consistent with enhanced conversion of choline to the methyl donor, betaine. Collectively, these data show that several adaptations in choline metabolism transpire as a result of mild perturbations in folate metabolism, presumably to preserve methyl group homeostasis. PMID:21697299

Association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and abdominal aortic aneurysm risk

PubMed Central

Liu, Jie; Jia, Xin; Li, Haifeng; Jia, Senhao; Zhang, Minhong; Xu, Yongle; Du, Xin; Zhang, Nianrong; Lu, Weihang; Guo, Wei

2016-01-01

Abstract Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition. A number of studies reported the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and AAA risk, but substantial controversial findings were observed and the strength of the association remains unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the aforementioned association in the overall population and different subgroups. Methods: PUBMED and EMBASE databases were searched until March 2016 to identify eligible studies, restricted to humans and articles published in English. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the susceptibility to AAA. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted on features of the population, such as ethnicity, sex of the participants, and study design (source of control). Results: Twelve case–control studies on MTHFR C677T polymorphism and AAA risk, including 3555 cases and 6568 case-free controls were identified. The results revealed no significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and AAA risk in the overall population and within Caucasian or Asian subpopulations in all 5 genetic models. Further subgroup meta-analysis indicated that significantly increased risks were observed among cases with a mean age <70 years (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.10–2.12, P = 0.02), cases with prevalence of smoking <60% (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.02–1.90, P = 0.04), and cases with aneurysm diameter ≥55 mm (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.07–2.24, P = 0.02) in the dominant genetic model. No publication bias was detected in the present study. Conclusion: In conclusion, our comprehensive meta-analysis suggests that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism may play an important role in AAA susceptibility, especially in younger, non-smoking, larger AAA-diameter subgroups of patients PMID:27603386

MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and head and neck cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 23 publications.

PubMed

Niu, Yu-Ming; Deng, Mo-Hong; Chen, Wen; Zeng, Xian-Tao; Luo, Jie

2015-01-01

Conflicting results on the association between MTHFR polymorphism and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk were reported. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Three online databases of PubMed, Embase, and CNKI were researched on the associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Twenty-three published case-control studies involving 4,955 cases and 8,805 controls were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk. Sensitivity analysis, cumulative analyses, and publication bias were conducted to validate the strength of the results. Overall, no significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HNC risk was found in this meta-analysis (T versus C: OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.92-1.18; TT versus CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.90-1.46; CT versus CC: OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.85-1.17; CT + TT versus CC: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.87-1.18; TT versus CC + CT: OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.98-1.26). In the subgroup analysis by HWE, ethnicity, study design, cancer location, and negative significant associations were detected in almost all genetic models, except for few significant risks that were found in thyroid cancer. This meta-analysis demonstrates that MTHFR C677T polymorphism may not be a risk factor for the developing of HNC.

Methotrexate-induced mucositis in acute leukemia patients is not associated with the MTHFR 677T allele in Mexico.

PubMed

Ruiz-Argüelles, Guillermo J; Coconi-Linares, Lucia Nancy; Garcés-Eisele, Javier; Reyes-Núñez, Virginia

2007-10-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has two common variants with reduced activity due to polymorphisms at nucleotides 677 and 1298. Both affect folate metabolism and thus remethylation of homocysteine, but are also thought to affect nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation. Methotrexate (MTX), which interrupts folate metabolism, is used in the treatment of a variety of diseases including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but exerts in some patients toxic effects on fast dividing tissues such as mucosal epithelia. The enhanced toxicity may be due to cooperative effects between MTX and MTHFR variants. Accordingly, it has been reported that carrying the 677T allele of the MTHFR is a risk factor for MTX-associated mucositis. As in the Mexican population, which is characterized by a high prevalence of the 677T MTHFR variant, several of its commonly associated defects have not been observed, we investigated the relationship between MTX toxicity and the 677T allele. Out of 28 patients with ALL (CC: 2, CT: 10, TT: 16), 16 had episodes of MTX-associated mucositis (CC: 0, CT: 6, TT: 10). Neither at the gene level nor at the genotype level was a significant association with mucositis found. It may be postulated that the risk of higher MTX toxicity in patients with decreased MTHFR activity could be neutralized by the normally folate rich diet in Mexico.

Influence of Combined Methionine Synthase (MTR 2756A > G) and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR 677C > T) Polymorphisms to Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Korean Patients with Ischemic Stroke

PubMed Central

Kim, Ok Joon; Hong, Sun Pyo; Ahn, Jung Yong; Hong, Seung Ho; Hwang, Tae Sun; Kim, Soo Ok; Yoo, Wangdon; Oh, Doyeun

2007-01-01

Purpose Methionine synthase (MTR) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are the main regulatory enzymes for homocysteine metabolism. The present case-control study was conducted to determine whether there is an association between the MTR 2756A > G or MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism and plasma homocysteine concentration in Korean subjects with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods DNA samples of 237 patients who had an ischemic stroke and 223 age and sex-matched controls were studied. MTR 2756A > G and MTHFR 677C > T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results Frequencies of mutant alleles for MTR and MTHFR polymorphisms were not significantly different between the controls and cases. The patient group, however, had significantly higher homocysteine concentrations of the MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotypes than the control group (p = 0.04 for MTR, p = 0.01 for MTHFR). The combined MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotype (p = 0.04) and the homocysteine concentrations of the patient group were also higher than those of the controls. In addition, the genotype distribution was significant in the MTHFR 677TT genotype (p = 0.008) and combined MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotype (p = 0.03), which divided the groups into the top 20% and bottom 20% based on their homocysteine levels. Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrate that the MTR 2756A > G and MTHFR 677C > T polymorphisms interact with elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, leading to an increased risk of ischemic stroke. PMID:17461517

Association between MTHFR Polymorphisms and Acute Myeloid Leukemia Risk: A Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Su, Yan; Lu, Ge-Ning; Wang, Ren-Sheng

2014-01-01

Previous observational studies investigating the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and acute myeloid leukemia risk (AML) have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this study is to derive a more precise estimation of the association between MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) polymorphisms and acute myeloid leukemia risk. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies from their inception to August 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were the metric of choice. Thirteen studies were selected for C677T polymorphism (1838 cases and 5318 controls) and 9 studies (1335 patients and 4295 controls) for A1298C polymorphism. Overall, pooled results showed that C677T polymorphism was not significant associated with AML risk(OR, 0.98–1.04; 95% CI, 0.86–0.92 to 1.09–1.25). Similar results were observed for the A1298C polymorphism and in subgroup analysis. All comparisons revealed no substantial heterogeneity nor did we detect evidence of publication bias. In summary, this meta-analysis provides evidence that MTHFR polymorphisms were not associated with AML risk. Further investigations are needed to offer better insight into the role of these polymorphisms in AML carcinogenesis. PMID:24586405

Association between MTHFR polymorphisms and acute myeloid leukemia risk: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Qin, Yu-Tao; Zhang, Yong; Wu, Fang; Su, Yan; Lu, Ge-Ning; Wang, Ren-Sheng

2014-01-01

Previous observational studies investigating the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and acute myeloid leukemia risk (AML) have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this study is to derive a more precise estimation of the association between MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) polymorphisms and acute myeloid leukemia risk. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies from their inception to August 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were the metric of choice. Thirteen studies were selected for C677T polymorphism (1838 cases and 5318 controls) and 9 studies (1335 patients and 4295 controls) for A1298C polymorphism. Overall, pooled results showed that C677T polymorphism was not significant associated with AML risk(OR, 0.98-1.04; 95% CI, 0.86-0.92 to 1.09-1.25). Similar results were observed for the A1298C polymorphism and in subgroup analysis. All comparisons revealed no substantial heterogeneity nor did we detect evidence of publication bias. In summary, this meta-analysis provides evidence that MTHFR polymorphisms were not associated with AML risk. Further investigations are needed to offer better insight into the role of these polymorphisms in AML carcinogenesis.

MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C and associations with IVF outcomes in Brazilian women.

PubMed

D'Elia, Priscila Queiroz; dos Santos, Aline Amaro; Bianco, Bianca; Barbosa, Caio Parente; Christofolini, Denise Maria; Aoki, Tsutomu

2014-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and IVF outcomes in Brazilian women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment. A prospective study was conducted in the Human Reproduction Department at the ABC University School of Medicine and the Ideia Fertility Institute between December 2010 and April 2012. The patient population was 82 women undergoing assisted reproduction cycles. The MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C were evaluated and compared with laboratory results and pregnancy rates. The C677T variant was associated with proportions of mature (P=0.006) and immature (P=0.003) oocytes whereas the A1298C variant was associated with number of oocytes retrieved (P=0.044). The polymorphisms, whether alone or in combination, were not associated with normal fertilization, good-quality embryo or clinical pregnancy rates. This study suggests that the number and maturity of oocytes retrieved may be related to the MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C. It is believed that folate has a crucial function in human reproduction and that folate deficiency can compromise the function of the metabolic pathways it is involved in, leading to an accumulation of homocysteine. The gene MTHFR encodes the 5-MTHFR enzyme, which is involved in folate metabolism, and C677T/A1298C polymorphisms of this gene are related to decreased enzyme activity and consequent changes in homocysteine concentration. Folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinaemia can also compromise fertility and lead to pregnancy complications by affecting the development of oocytes, preparation of endometrial receptivity, implantation of the embryo and pregnancy. In folliculogenesis, hyperhomocysteinaemia can activate apoptosis, leading to follicular atresia and affecting the maturity of oocytes and the quality of embryos cultured in vitro. This study was performed to investigate the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and IVF outcomes in women undergoing assisted

Associations between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Polymorphisms and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Risk: A Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Sun, Man-Yi; Zhang, Li; Shi, Song-Li; Lin, Jing-Na

2016-01-01

Background C677T and A1298C are the most common allelic variants of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene. The association between MTHFR polymorphisms and the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains controversial. This study was thus performed to examine whether MTHFR mutations are associated with the susceptibility to NAFLD. Methods A first meta-analysis on the association between the MTHFR polymorphisms and NAFLD risks was carried out via Review Manager 5.0 and Stata/SE 12.0 software. The on-line databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, WOS, Scopus and EBSCOhost (updated to April 1st, 2016), were searched for eligible case-control studies. The odd radio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and P value were calculated through Mantel-Haenszel statistics under random- or fixed-effect model. Results Eight articles (785 cases and 1188 controls) contributed data to the current meta-analysis. For C677T, increased NAFLD risks were observed in case group under homozygote model (T/T vs C/C, OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.03~2.15, P = 0.04) and recessive model (T/T vs C/C+C/T, OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.07~1.88, P = 0.02), but not the other genetics models, compared with control group. For A1298C, significantly increased NAFLD risks were detected in allele model (C vs A, OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.13~2.07, P = 0.006), homozygote model (C/C vs A/A, OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.63~4.85, P = 0.0002), dominant model (A/C+C/C vs A/A, OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.06~2.41, P = 0.03) and recessive model (C/C vs A/A+A/C, OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.45~3.00, P<0.0001), but not heterozygote model. Conclusion T/T genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism and C/C genotype of MTHFR A1298C are more likely to be associated with the susceptibility to NAFLD. PMID:27128842

MTHFR 677C-->T and 1298A-->C polymorphisms in children with Down syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia in Brazil.

PubMed

Amorim, Marcia R; Zanrosso, Crisiane Wais; Magalhães, Isis Q; Pereira, Simone C; Figueiredo, Alexandre; Emerenciano, Mariana; Pinheiro, Vitoria Regia; d'Andréa, Maria Lydia; Orioli, Ieda M; Koifman, Sergio; Pombo-de-Oliveira, Maria S

2008-12-01

Down syndrome (DS) is an important risk factor associated with acute leukemia (AL). The presence of polymorphisms that reduce 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity has been linked to the multifactorial leukemogenic process. The authors have conducted a study to test whether 677C-->T and/or 1298A-->C polymorphisms of MTHFR would play an additional role in susceptibility of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in DS children. They also verified whether any polymorphism in the MTHFR gene was associated with the risk of DS. Genetic polymorphisms determination was carried out in 248 samples from healthy individuals as controls and a total of 115 DS children (65 without leukemia and 50 with AML). The present study failed to reveal any association between these polymorphisms and risk of AML in DS children. The data also indicate that MTHFR polymorphisms are not associated with risk of being a DS child.

MTHFR gene polymorphism and risk of myeloid leukemia: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Dong, Song; Liu, Yueling; Chen, Jieping

2014-09-01

An increasing body of evidence has shown that the amino acid changes at position 1298 might eliminate methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme activity, leading to insufficient folic acid and subsequent human chromosome breakage. Epidemiological studies have linked MTHFR single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1801131 to myeloid leukemia risk, with considerable discrepancy in their results. We therefore were prompted to clarify this issue by use of a meta-analysis. The search terms were used to cover the possible reports in the MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Odds ratios were estimated to assess the association of SNP rs1801131 with myeloid leukemia risk. Statistical heterogeneity was detected using the Q-statistic and I (2) metric. Subgroup analysis was performed by ethnicity, histological subtype, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). This meta-analysis of eight publications with a total of 1,114 cases and 3,227 controls revealed no global association. Nor did the subgroup analysis according to histological subtype and HWE show any significant associations. However, Asian individuals who harbored the CC genotype were found to have 1.66-fold higher risk of myeloid leukemia (odds ratio, 1.66; 95 % confidence interval, 1.10 to 2.49; P h = 0.342; I (2) = 0.114). Our meta-analysis has presented evidence supporting a possible association between the CC genotype of MTHFR SNP rs1801131 and myeloid leukemia in Asian populations.

Association between maternal, fetal and paternal MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of recurrent pregnancy loss: a comprehensive evaluation.

PubMed

Yang, Yi; Luo, Yunyao; Yuan, Jing; Tang, Yidan; Xiong, Lang; Xu, MangMang; Rao, XuDong; Liu, Hao

2016-06-01

Numerous studies have investigated the associations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL); however, the results remain controversial. The aim of this study is to drive a more precise estimation of association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and risk of RPL. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database for papers on MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and RPL risk. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the homozygous model, heterozygous model, dominant model, recessive model and an additive model. The software STATA (Version 13.0) was used for statistical analysis. Overall, 57 articles were included in the final meta-analysis. In maternal group the MTHFR C677T polymorphism showed pooled odds ratios for the homozygous comparison [OR = 2.285, 95 % CI (1.702, 3.067)] and the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism showed pooled odds ratios for recessive model [OR = 1.594, 95 % CI (1.136, 2.238)]. In fetal group the MTHFR C677T polymorphism showed pooled odds ratios for dominant model [OR = 1.037, 95 % CI (0.567, 1.894)] and the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism showed pooled odds ratios for dominant model [OR = 1.495, 95 % CI (1.102, 2.026)]. In summary, the results of our meta-analysis indicate that maternal and paternal MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are associated with RPL. We also observed a significant association between fetal MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and RPL but not C677T.

Combined 677CC/1298AC genotypes of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR ) reduce susceptibility to precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia in a Chinese population.

PubMed

Lv, Ling; Wu, Cuie; Sun, Henjuan; Zhu, Saijuan; Yang, Yongchen; Chen, Xi; Fu, Hua; Bao, Liming

2010-06-01

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) encodes a major enzyme in folate metabolism. It has been suggested that two MTHFR polymorphisms, 677C>T and 1298A>C, influence risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Most studies on relation of MTHFR polymorphisms to ALL susceptibility have been in pediatric populations because ALL is relatively rare in adults. Here, we report a case-control study of 127 Chinese patients with adult precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) to examine correlation between the MTHFR polymorphisms and B-ALL susceptibility in adults. Our data show that although the prevalence of genotype 1298CC was significantly higher in the female patients than in the controls (P = 0.04), the differences in distributions of combined genotypes of 1298CC with either 677CC or 677CT between the cases and the controls were statistically insignificant. Haplotype analysis revealed no significant difference between the cases and the controls. The prevalence for joint MTHFR genotypes 677CC/1298AC was significantly lower in the female B-ALL cases than in the controls [odds ratio (OR) = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.00-0.53, P = 0.0033] and no differences among the men [OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.20-2.53, P = 0.55], suggesting that protective effects of combined MTHFR 677CC/1298AC genotypes on susceptibility of adult B-ALL are gender bias toward women with 677CC/1298AC women being at a 17-fold reduced odds to develop B-ALL.

Interaction between MTHFR 677C>T and periconceptional folic acid supplementation in the risk of Hypospadias.

PubMed

Dokter, Elisabeth M J; van Rooij, Iris A L M; Wijers, Charlotte H W; Groothuismink, Johanne M; van der Biezen, Jan Jaap; Feitz, Wout F J; Roeleveld, Nel; van der Zanden, Loes F M

2016-04-01

Hypospadias is a congenital malformation with both environmental factors and genetic predisposition involved in the pathogenesis. The role of maternal periconceptional folic acid supplement use in the development of hypospadias is unclear. As folate levels may also be influenced by the C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, we hypothesize that a gene-environment interaction between this polymorphism and folic acid use is involved in the etiology of hypospadias. We conducted a case-control study among 855 hypospadias cases and 713 population-based controls from the AGORA data- and biobank. Folic acid supplement use was derived from maternal questionnaires and infant and maternal DNA was used to determine the MTHFR C677T polymorphism using Taqman assays. We performed separate analyses for different hypospadias phenotypes (anterior/middle/posterior). Hypospadias was neither associated with folic acid use or the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, nor with their interaction. However, we did find an association with middle hypospadias when no supplements were used (odds ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.4), especially in infants carrying the CT/TT genotype (odds ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.7). In addition, more infants with these genotypes seemed to have posterior hypospadias, regardless of folic acid use. Our study does not suggest a major role for folic acid supplements or the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in the etiology of hypospadias in general, but not using folic acid and/or carrying the MTHFR C677T polymorphism may be associated with middle and posterior hypospadias. Therefore, we stress the importance of studying gene-environment interactions preferably in stratified analyses for different hypospadias phenotypes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and depression: a meta-analysis in the Chinese population.

PubMed

Jiang, Wei; Xu, Jun; Lu, Xiao-Jie; Sun, Yang

2016-09-01

Depression is a worldwide public health issue, and its prevalence increases each year. Although a number of studies have been conducted on the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and depression in China, this association remains elusive and controversial. To clarify the impact of MTHFR C677T polymorphism on the risk of depression, a meta-analysis was performed in the Chinese population. Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Biology Medicine through May 5, 2015. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations. A total of 13 case-control studies including 1895 patients and 1913 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, T variant of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression in the Chinese population (T vs. C: OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.24-1.85; TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.16-2.30; TT vs. CC: OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.49-3.24; TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.31-2.46). In subgroup analyses stratified by geographic area and source of controls, the significant results were found in population-based studies, in hospital-based studies, in North and South China. The risk conferred by MTHFR C677T polymorphism is higher in North China than in South China. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with depression in the Chinese population, but these associations vary in different geographic locations.

Association between decreased vitamin levels and MTHFR, MTR and MTRR gene polymorphisms as determinants for elevated total homocysteine concentrations in pregnant women.

PubMed

Barbosa, P R; Stabler, S P; Machado, A L K; Braga, R C; Hirata, R D C; Hirata, M H; Sampaio-Neto, L F; Allen, R H; Guerra-Shinohara, E M

2008-08-01

To examine the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (C677T and A1298C), methionine synthase (MTR) A2756G and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G gene polymorphisms and total homocysteine (tHcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA) and S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM/SAH) levels; and to evaluate the potential interactions with folate or cobalamin (Cbl) status. Two hundred seventy-five healthy women at labor who delivered full-term normal babies. Cbl, folate, tHcy, MMA, SAM and SAH were measured in serum specimens. The genotypes for polymorphisms were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Serum folate, MTHFR 677T allele and MTR 2756AA genotypes were the predictors of tHcy levels in pregnant women. Serum Cbl and creatinine were the predictors of SAM/SAH ratio and MMA levels, respectively. The gene polymorphisms were not determinants for MMA levels and SAM/SAH ratios. Low levels of serum folate were associated with elevated tHcy in pregnant women, independently of the gene polymorphisms. In pregnant women carrying MTHFR 677T allele, or MTHFR 1298AA or MTRR 66AA genotypes, lower Cbl levels were associated with higher levels of tHcy. Lower SAM/SAH ratio was found in MTHFR 677CC or MTRR A2756AA genotypes carriers when Cbl levels were lower than 142 pmol/l. Serum folate and MTHFR C677T and MTR A2576G gene polymorphisms were the determinants for tHcy levels. The interaction between low levels of serum Cbl and MTHFR (C677T or A1298C) or MTRR A66G gene polymorphisms was associated with increased tHcy.

Folic acid supplementation, MTHFR and MTRR polymorphisms, and the risk of childhood leukemia: the ESCALE study (SFCE).

PubMed

Amigou, Alicia; Rudant, Jérémie; Orsi, Laurent; Goujon-Bellec, Stéphanie; Leverger, Guy; Baruchel, André; Bertrand, Yves; Nelken, Brigitte; Plat, Geneviève; Michel, Gérard; Haouy, Stéphanie; Chastagner, Pascal; Ducassou, Stéphane; Rialland, Xavier; Hémon, Denis; Clavel, Jacqueline

2012-08-01

Fetal folate deficiency may increase the risk of subsequent childhood acute leukemia (AL), since folates are required for DNA methylation, synthesis, and repair, but the literature remains scarce. This study tested the hypothesis that maternal folic acid supplementation before or during pregnancy reduces AL risk, accounting for the SNPs rs1801133 (C677T) and rs1801131 (A1298C) in MTHFR and rs1801394 (A66G) and rs1532268 (C524T) in MTRR, assumed to modify folate metabolism. The nationwide registry-based case-control study, ESCALE, carried out in 2003-2004, included 764 AL cases and 1,681 controls frequency matched with the cases on age and gender. Information on folic acid supplementation was obtained by standardized telephone interview. The genotypes were obtained using high-throughput platforms and imputation for untyped polymorphisms. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional regression models adjusted for potential confounders. AL was significantly inversely associated with maternal folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy (OR = 0.4; 95 % confidence interval: [0.3-0.6]). MTHFR and MTRR genetic polymorphisms were not associated with AL. However, AL was positively associated with homozygosity for any of the MTHFR polymorphisms and carriership of both MTRR variant alleles (OR = 1.6 [0.9-3.1]). No interaction was observed between MTHFR, MTRR, and maternal folate supplementation. The study findings support the hypothesis that maternal folic acid supplementation may reduce the risk of childhood AL. The findings also suggest that the genotype homozygous for any of the MTHFR variants and carrying both MTRR variants could be a risk factor for AL.

MTHFR-Ala222Val and male infertility: a study in Iranian men, an updated meta-analysis and an in silico-analysis.

PubMed

Nikzad, Hossein; Karimian, Mohammad; Sareban, Kobra; Khoshsokhan, Maryam; Hosseinzadeh Colagar, Abasalt

2015-11-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) functions as a main regulatory enzyme in folate metabolism. The association of MTHFR gene Ala222Val polymorphism with male infertility in an Iranian population was investigated by undertaking a meta-analysis and in-silico approach. A genetic association study included 497 men; 242 had unexplained infertility and 255 were healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for genotyping MTHFR-Ala222Val. OpenMeta[Analyst] software was used to conduct the analysis; 22 studies were identified by searching PubMed and the currently reported genetic association study. A novel in-silico approach was used to analyse the effects of Ala222Val substitution on the structure of mRNA and protein. Genetic association study revealed a significant association of MTHFR-222Val/Val genotype with oligozoospermia (OR 2.32; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.78; P = 0.0451) and azoospermia (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.09 to 6.17; P = 0.0314). Meta-analysis for allelic, dominant and codominant models showed a significant association between Ala222Val polymorphism and the risk of male infertility (P < 0.001). In silico-analysis showed MTHFR-Ala222Val affects enzyme structure and could also change the mRNA properties (P = 0.1641; P < 0.2 is significant). The meta-analysis suggested significant association of MTHFR-Ala222Val with risk of male infertility, especially in Asian populations. Copyright © 2015 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

TPMT and MTHFR genotype is not associated with altered risk of thioguanine-related sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

PubMed

Wray, Lisa; Vujkovic, Marijana; McWilliams, Thomas; Cannon, Shannon; Devidas, Meenakshi; Stork, Linda; Aplenc, Richard

2014-11-01

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is a complication of therapy for pediatric ALL and may be modified by thiopurine methyltransferase activity as well as by MTHFR genotype. We assessed TPMT *3A, *3B, *3C, and MTHFR C677T and A1298C germline genetic polymorphisms among 351 patients enrolled in the thioguanine treatment arm of CCG-1952 clinical trial. TPMT and MTHFR C677T genotypes were not associated with SOS risk. The combination of MTHFR and TPMT variant genotypes was not associated with SOS risk. These suggest that germline genetic variation in TPMT and MTHFR do not significantly alter SOS risk in patients exposed to thioguanine. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lack of association between MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Kurdish population from Western Iran.

PubMed

Azhar, Mohammad-Reza; Rahimi, Zohreh; Vaisi-Raygani, Asad; Akramipour, Reza; Madani, Hamid; Rahimi, Ziba; Parsian, Abbas

2012-03-01

Polymorphism in genes involved in folate metabolism may influence the susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aim of the present study was to determine the role of the two most common polymorphisms of the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, MTHFR C677T and A1298C, and their interaction on the susceptibility to ALL. Seventy-two children with ALL and 109 age- and sex-matched healthy children from Western Iran were screened for MTHFR C677T and A1298C variants by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The frequencies of MTHFR 677T and 1298C alleles in patients were 29.9% and 43.1%, respectively, that were higher than those in controls (24.8% and 38.1%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis was performed and its result in the odds ratios (ORs) for possession of either MTHFR 677T or 1298C allele was found to be 1.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-5.4, p = 0.18] and 1.48 (95% CI 0.59-3.69, p = 0.4), respectively. Also the concomitant presence of both MTHFR 677T and 1298C alleles was not associated with the risk of ALL [OR = 2.12 (95% CI 0.8-5.7, p = 0.13)]. Our results in a homogenous population with Kurdish ethnic background indicated that neither the MTHFR 677T allele nor the MTHFR 1298C allele is associated with increased risk of ALL.

Association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and risk of cancer: evidence from 265 case-control studies.

PubMed

Zhu, Xin-Li; Liu, Zhi-Zhong; Yan, Sen-Xiang; Wang, Wei; Chang, Rui-Xia; Zhang, Chun-Yan; Guo, Yan

2016-02-01

Many molecular, epidemiological studies have been performed to explore the association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and cancer risk. However, the results were inconsistent or even contradictory. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between cancer risk and MTHFR A1298C (81,040 cases and 114,975 controls from 265 studies) polymorphism. Overall, significant association was observed between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and cancer risk when all eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. In further stratified and sensitivity analyses, significantly increased cervical cancer (dominant model: OR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.13-1.90; AC vs. AA: OR 1.48, 95 % CI 1.13-1.92) and lymphoma (dominant model: OR 1.22, 95 % CI 1.04-1.44; recessive model: OR 1.66, 95 % CI 1.15-2.39; CC vs. AA: OR 1.75, 95 % CI 1.21-2.53) risk were observed in Asians, and significantly decreased colorectal cancer risk was found in Asians (recessive model: OR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.59-0.96; CC vs. AA: OR 0.77, 95 % CI 0.60-1.00). In summary, this meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is associated with increased cervical cancer and lymphoma risk in Asians, and MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk in Asians. Moreover, this meta-analysis also points out the importance of new studies, such as oral cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia, because they had high heterogeneity in this meta-analysis (I (2) > 75 %).

MTHFR 677C --> T genotype disrupts prefrontal function in schizophrenia through an interaction with COMT 158Val --> Met.

PubMed

Roffman, Joshua L; Gollub, Randy L; Calhoun, Vince D; Wassink, Thomas H; Weiss, Anthony P; Ho, Beng C; White, Tonya; Clark, Vincent P; Fries, Jill; Andreasen, Nancy C; Goff, Donald C; Manoach, Dara S

2008-11-11

Understanding how risk genes cumulatively impair brain function in schizophrenia could provide critical insights into its pathophysiology. Working memory impairment in schizophrenia has been associated with abnormal dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex, which is likely under complex genetic control. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) 158Val --> Met polymorphism (rs4680), which affects the availability of prefrontal dopamine signaling, consistently stratifies prefrontal activation during working memory performance. However, the low-dopamine COMT 158Val allele does not confer increased risk for schizophrenia, and its effects on prefrontal function are not specific to the disorder. In the setting of other genetic variants influencing prefrontal dopamine signaling, COMT 158Val --> Met genotype may exert disease-specific effects. A second polymorphism, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C --> T (rs1801133), has been associated with overall schizophrenia risk and executive function impairment in patients, and may influence dopamine signaling through mechanisms upstream of COMT effects. We found that the hypofunctional 677T variant was associated with decreased working memory load-dependent activation in the prefrontal and insular cortices in 79 schizophrenia patients, but not in 75 demographically matched healthy controls. Further, significant MTHFR x COMT genotype interactions were observed, which differed by diagnostic group: Reduced prefrontal activation was associated with the 677T and 158Val alleles in patients, but with 677C/C and 158Met/Met genotype in controls. These findings are consistent with epistatic effects of the COMT and MTHFR polymorphisms on prefrontal dopamine signaling, and suggest that in schizophrenia patients, the MTHFR 677T allele exacerbates prefrontal dopamine deficiency. The findings also suggest the importance of weighing COMT effects on prefrontal function within the context of MTHFR genotype.

MTHFR C677T Polymorphism is Associated with Tumor Response to Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy: A Result Based on Previous Reports.

PubMed

Zhao, Yue; Li, Xingde; Kong, Xiangjun

2015-10-12

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pRCT) followed by surgery has been widely practiced in locally advanced rectal cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and other cancers. However, the therapy also exerts some severe adverse effects and some of the patients show poor or no response. It is very important to develop biomarkers (e.g., gene polymorphisms) to identify patients who have a higher likelihood of responding to pRCT. Recently, a series of reports have investigated the association of the genetic polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes with the tumor response to pRCT; however, the results were inconsistent and inconclusive. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching relevant studies about the association of MTHFR and EGFR polymorphisms with the tumor regression grade (TRG) in response to pRCT in databases of PubMed, EMBAS, Web of science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database up to March 30, 2015. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of the association under 5 genetic models. A total of 11 eligible articles were included in the present meta-analysis, of which 8 studies were performed in rectal cancer and 3 studies were performed in esophageal cancer. We finally included 8 included studies containing 839 cases for MTHFR C677T, 5 studies involving 634 cases for MTHFR A1298C, 3 studies containing 340 cases for EGFR G497A, and 4 studies containing 396 cases for EGFR CA repeat. The pooled analysis results indicated that MTHFR C677T might be correlated with the tumor response to pRCT under the recessive model (CC vs. CTTT) in overall analysis (OR=1.426(1.074-1.894), P=0.014), rectal cancer (OR=1.483(1.102-1.996), P=0.009), and TRG 1-2 vs. 3-5 group (OR=1.423(1.046-1.936), P=0.025), while other polymorphism including MTHFR A1298C, EGFR G497A, and EGFR CA repeat

Association between Hcy levels and the CBS844ins68 and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with essential hypertension.

PubMed

Cai, Weijuan; Yin, Liang; Yang, Fang; Zhang, Lei; Cheng, Jiang

2014-11-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the homocysteine (Hcy) levels and polymorphisms of the CBS844ins68 and MTHFR C677T genes in essential hypertension (EH). The effects of the MTHFR C677T and CBS844ins68 haploid genotypes and the combined genotypes on EH and levels of Hcy were further explored. The polymorphisms of CBS844ins68 and MTHFR C677T genes in 200 EH and 200 normal tensive (NT) patients were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and analysis of the distribution of genotypes. An automated biochemical analyzer was used to measure the plasma Hcy levels and the clinical biochemistry data. The plasma Hcy levels in EH were significantly higher than those of the NT group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between males and females. Two genotypes, deletion/deletion (DD) and deletion/insertion (DI), of the CBS844ins68 polymorphism were found in two groups with no clear differences in two genotypes and allele frequency distribution (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the three genotype frequencies (χ 2 =6.658, χ 2 =4.410, P<0.05) for MTHFR C677T locus genotypes CC, CT and TT. The Hcy levels in genotypes DD and DI had no significant differences (P>0.05) and the CT and TT types were significantly higher compared to the CC genotype (P<0.05). The CC/DD combined genotype in the two groups was significantly different (P<0.05), and the odds ratio (OR), 0.569 showed that the CC/DD genotype may be a protective factor of hypertension. In the two groups, the Hcy levels for combined genotypes CC/DD, CT/DD, TT/DD and TT/DI were significantly different (P<0.05). The SHEsis software analysis linkage disequilibrium coefficient=0.216, indicates that there is probably a weak linkage for MTHFR C677T and CBS844ins68 . Haplotype analysis suggested that the C-D haplotype was negatively correlated with EH (OR, 0.727) and that there was a positive correlation between T

Association between Hcy levels and the CBS844ins68 and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with essential hypertension

PubMed Central

CAI, WEIJUAN; YIN, LIANG; YANG, FANG; ZHANG, LEI; CHENG, JIANG

2014-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the homocysteine (Hcy) levels and polymorphisms of the CBS844ins68 and MTHFR C677T genes in essential hypertension (EH). The effects of the MTHFR C677T and CBS844ins68 haploid genotypes and the combined genotypes on EH and levels of Hcy were further explored. The polymorphisms of CBS844ins68 and MTHFR C677T genes in 200 EH and 200 normal tensive (NT) patients were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and analysis of the distribution of genotypes. An automated biochemical analyzer was used to measure the plasma Hcy levels and the clinical biochemistry data. The plasma Hcy levels in EH were significantly higher than those of the NT group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between males and females. Two genotypes, deletion/deletion (DD) and deletion/insertion (DI), of the CBS844ins68 polymorphism were found in two groups with no clear differences in two genotypes and allele frequency distribution (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the three genotype frequencies (χ2=6.658, χ2=4.410, P<0.05) for MTHFR C677T locus genotypes CC, CT and TT. The Hcy levels in genotypes DD and DI had no significant differences (P>0.05) and the CT and TT types were significantly higher compared to the CC genotype (P<0.05). The CC/DD combined genotype in the two groups was significantly different (P<0.05), and the odds ratio (OR), 0.569 showed that the CC/DD genotype may be a protective factor of hypertension. In the two groups, the Hcy levels for combined genotypes CC/DD, CT/DD, TT/DD and TT/DI were significantly different (P<0.05). The SHEsis software analysis linkage disequilibrium coefficient=0.216, indicates that there is probably a weak linkage for MTHFR C677T and CBS844ins68. Haplotype analysis suggested that the C-D haplotype was negatively correlated with EH (OR, 0.727) and that there was a positive correlation between T-D haplotype

Screening of polymorphisms for MTHFR and DHFR genes in spina bifida children and their mothers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Husna, M. Z.; Endom, I.; Ibrahim, S.; Selvi, N. Amaramalar; Fakhrurazi, H.; Htwe, R. Ohnmar; Kanehaswari, Y.; Halim, A. R. Abdul; Wong, S. W.; Subashini, K.; Syahira, O. Nur; Aishah, S.

2013-11-01

Mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of folic acid supplementation in reducing the risk of neural tube defect is still not well understood. Current evidences show the involvement of folic acid metabolic gene's polymorphism as contributing factors that regulate this pathway. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the presence of C677T polymorphism for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR-19 bp deletion) genes between mother-children pairs of case and control. With the approval of UKMMC ethic committee, genomic DNA was extracted from one hundred and forty consented bloods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and sequencing were employed to verify each nucleotide change. Our result shows that mutant MTHFR and DHFR alleles are present in all Malaysian sub-ethnic groups, case and control. Even though mutant MTHFR are found to be slightly higher in the case groups, 75% of the affected child is a non carrier for this allele and 62.5% of the mothers with an affected child are genotypically normal. For DHFR, almost all (87.5-100%) investigated samples are a carrier or having a double DHFR deletion be it a case or control pairs. However, strong maternal inheritance shown by the deleted allele might be due to a cascade effect of lacks of folate consumption or maternal uniparental disomy. In conclusion, the use of MTHFR and DHFR as markers in determining the risk of having spina bifida baby is uninformative and plays a small indirect role as the genetic causes of spina bifida. Therefore, spina bifida remains etiologically unknown polygenic and quantitative developmental trait whereby the searches for positive genetic marker need to be continued.

MiR-149 Compromises the Reactions of Liver Cells to Fatty Acid via its Polymorphism and Increases Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Risk by Targeting Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR).

PubMed

An, Xianchao; Yang, Zonglin; An, Zhengzhuang

2017-05-16

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide health problem, and microRNA (miRNA) has been reported to be involved in NAFLD. The objective of our study was to explore the effect of polymorphism in miR-149 on the pathogenesis of NAFLD. MATERIAL AND METHODS Real-time PCR was performed to explore the effect of long-chain fatty acid (FFA) on the level of miR-149 and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Then in-silicon analysis and luciferase assay were investigated to verify MTHFR was the target gene of miR-149. Finally, Western-blot analysis and real-time PCR were performed to confirm the control of MTHFR by miR-149. RESULTS In this study, we found that miR-149 was apparently upregulated in hepatocytes genotyped as TT treated with FFA; and MTHFR in hepatocytes genotyped as TT treated with FFA was evidently downregulated compared to control. Whereas, FFA had no obvious effect on MTHFR level in hepatocytes genotyped as CC. We searched an online miRNA database and found that miR-149 was a regulator of MTHFR expression, which was confirmed by luciferase assay. In hepatocytes genotyped as TT and treated with or without FFA, miR-149 mimic dose-dependently decreased the level of MTHFR, and miR-149 inhibitor dose-dependently increased the level of MTHFR. And in hepatocytes genotyped as CC treated with or without FFA exhibited a similar inhibition effect of miR-149 on expression of MTHFR. CONCLUSIONS The data suggested that the polymorphism in miR-149 played an important role in the development of NAFLD via altering the expression of miR-149 as well as its target, MTHFR.

MiR-149 Compromises the Reactions of Liver Cells to Fatty Acid via its Polymorphism and Increases Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Risk by Targeting Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR)

PubMed Central

An, Xianchao; Yang, Zonglin; An, Zhengzhuang

2017-01-01

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide health problem, and microRNA (miRNA) has been reported to be involved in NAFLD. The objective of our study was to explore the effect of polymorphism in miR-149 on the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Material/Methods Real-time PCR was performed to explore the effect of long-chain fatty acid (FFA) on the level of miR-149 and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Then in-silicon analysis and luciferase assay were investigated to verify MTHFR was the target gene of miR-149. Finally, Western-blot analysis and real-time PCR were performed to confirm the control of MTHFR by miR-149. Results In this study, we found that miR-149 was apparently upregulated in hepatocytes genotyped as TT treated with FFA; and MTHFR in hepatocytes genotyped as TT treated with FFA was evidently downregulated compared to control. Whereas, FFA had no obvious effect on MTHFR level in hepatocytes genotyped as CC. We searched an online miRNA database and found that miR-149 was a regulator of MTHFR expression, which was confirmed by luciferase assay. In hepatocytes genotyped as TT and treated with or without FFA, miR-149 mimic dose-dependently decreased the level of MTHFR, and miR-149 inhibitor dose-dependently increased the level of MTHFR. And in hepatocytes genotyped as CC treated with or without FFA exhibited a similar inhibition effect of miR-149 on expression of MTHFR. Conclusions The data suggested that the polymorphism in miR-149 played an important role in the development of NAFLD via altering the expression of miR-149 as well as its target, MTHFR. PMID:28507283

MTHFR Functional Polymorphism C677T and Genomic Instability in the Etiology of Idiopathic Autism in Simplex Families

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

facts that de novo CNVs rates are consistently high in SPX ASD (5.8%-10.2%) versus familial ASD (2-3%), we hypothesize that low-activity MTHFR 677T...allele leads to increase global DNA hypomethylation and consequently results in increased generation of de novo CNVs bringing about a higher risk for...developing sporadic cases of autism. We proposed to test 1) the association of MTHFR 677T allele with rate of ASD related de novo CNVs ; 2) the

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms are associated with differential apoptosis of leukemic B cells in vitro and disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PubMed

Nückel, H; Frey, U H; Dürig, J; Dührsen, U; Siffert, W

2004-11-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) regulates the metabolism of folate and methionine, essential components of DNA synthesis and methylation. We investigated whether the two genetic MTHFR polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) are associated with an increased risk for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or may predict disease progression. Moreover, we measured potential genotype effects on apoptosis of B-CLL cells.Allele frequencies and genotype distributions for both polymorphisms were not significantly different in 111 patients vs 92 healthy controls. While progression-free survival (PFS) was not significantly different in individuals with CLL including all stages, in patients with Binet stage A PFS was significantly longer in patients displaying the MTHFR 677CC (P=0.043) and the MTHFR 1298A/C or CC genotypes (P=0.019). In a multivariate analysis, MTHFR haplotype (677CC plus 1298CC or A/C) was the best independent prognostic factor for PFS compared with other known prognostic factors. Spontaneous apoptosis of B-CLL cells in vitro was significantly increased in the favorable risk group with MTHFR 677CC and MTHFR 1298AC, which may constitute the cellular basis of the observed associations. While MTHFR polymorphisms do not affect the risk for B-CLL, they may be independent prognostic markers that influence the PFS in patients with early-stage B-CLL.

Effects of Italian Mediterranean organic diet vs. low-protein diet in nephropathic patients according to MTHFR genotypes.

PubMed

Di Daniele, Nicola; Di Renzo, Laura; Noce, Annalisa; Iacopino, Leonardo; Ferraro, Pietro Manuel; Rizzo, Mariagiovanna; Sarlo, Francesca; Domino, Emidio; De Lorenzo, Antonino

2014-10-01

Several reports associate an Italian-style Mediterranean diet (IMD) with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and morbidity. The present study aimed to explore the effects of an Italian Mediterranean organic diet (IMOD) versus low-protein diet (LPD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, according to patients' carrier status for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism. A total of 40 male patients with CKD and stable renal function (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative stages 2 and 3) were classified according to MTHFR polymorphism as carrier T(+) or non carrier T(-). At the time of enrolment (T0) patients' diet consisted of LPD; they were then administered IMD for 14 days (T1), thereupon IMOD for 14 days (T2). Patients underwent a complete medical history, body composition assessment and biochemical analysis. Baseline homocysteine levels were on average 8.24 mol/l higher (95 % confidence interval 6.47, 10.00) among T(+) than T(-) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). We found a significant interaction between MTHFR status and the effect of both the IMD and IMOD on homocysteine levels compared to LPD (p for interaction <0.001). Both the IMD and IMOD resulted in significant variations of anthropometric and laboratory measurements. IMD and IMOD diets could represent a viable alternative to LPD in CKD patients on conservative therapy. The effect of these diets seems to be influenced by MTHFR genotypes.

Plasma Homocysteine, Serum Folic Acid, Serum Vitamin B12, Serum Vitamin B6, MTHFR, and Risk of Normal-Tension Glaucoma.

PubMed

Li, Jinmiao; Xu, Fan; Zeng, Rui; Gong, Haijun; Lan, Yuqing

2016-02-01

This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the association between total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, serum folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 levels, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype, and risk of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). A systematic search of the EMBASE and PubMed databases was performed to evaluate plasma tHcy levels, serum folic acid, B vitamins' mean difference, and odds ratios of MTHFR C677T genotype between cases and controls. A total of 7 studies including 458 cases and 555 controls meeting the inclusion criteria were involved in this meta-analysis. There were 4 studies for tHcy (149 cases and 148 controls), 2 studies for vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate (90 cases and 82 controls), and 4 studies for MTHFR (343 cases and 449 controls). Overall, the mean plasma tHcy levels, serum folic acids, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 levels were 1.16 μmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.13, 2.45], -0.62 μmol/L (95% CI, -1.98, 0.74), 5.81 μmol/L (95% CI, -3.53, 15.14), and -16.79 μmol/L (95% CI, -86.09, 52.51). MTHFR TT genotype was found to be unrelated to NTG risk (odds ratio=1.08; 95% CI, 0.69, 1.69). NTG is not associated with elevated plasma tHcy, serum folic acid, serum vitamin B12, serum vitamin B6, and MTHFR C677T genotype.

Heterogenous Distribution of MTHFR Gene Variants among Mestizos and Diverse Amerindian Groups from Mexico

PubMed Central

Contreras-Cubas, Cecilia; Sánchez-Hernández, Beatríz E.; García-Ortiz, Humberto; Martínez-Hernández, Angélica; Barajas-Olmos, Francisco; Cid, Miguel; Mendoza-Caamal, Elvia C.; Centeno-Cruz, Federico; Ortiz-Cruz, Gabriela; Jiménez-López, José Concepción; Córdova, Emilio J.; Salas-Bautista, Eva Gabriela; Saldaña-Alvarez, Yolanda; Fernández-López, Juan Carlos; Mutchinick, Osvaldo M.

2016-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in folate metabolism. Folate deficiency has been related to several conditions, including neural tube defects (NTDs) and cardiovascular diseases. Hence, MTHFR genetic variants have been studied worldwide, particularly the C677T and A1298C. We genotyped the C677T and A1298C MTHFR polymorphisms in Mexican Amerindians (MAs), from the largest sample included in a genetic study (n = 2026, from 62 ethnic groups), and in a geographically-matched Mexican Mestizo population (MEZ, n = 638). The 677T allele was most frequent in Mexican individuals, particularly in MAs. The frequency of this allele in both MAs and MEZs was clearly enriched in the South region of the country, followed by the Central East and South East regions. In contrast, the frequency of the 1298C risk allele in Mexicans was one of the lowest in the world. Both in MAs and MEZs the variants 677T and 1298C displayed opposite allele frequency gradients from southern to northern Mexico. Our findings suggest that in Mestizos the 677T allele was derived from Amerindians while the 1298C allele was a European contribution. Some subgroups showed an allele frequency distribution that highlighted their genetic diversity. Notably, the distribution of the frequency of the 677T allele was consistent with that of the high incidence of NTDs reported in MEZ. PMID:27649570

MTHFR C677T polymorphism, homocysteine and B-vitamins status in a sample of Chinese and Malay subjects in Universiti Putra Malaysia.

PubMed

Choo, S C; Loh, S P; Khor, G L; Sabariah, M N; Rozita, R

2011-08-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T is involved in folate and homocysteine metabolism. Disruption in the activity of this enzyme will alter their levels in the body. This study assessed MTHFR C677T polymorphism and its relationship with serum homocysteine and B-vitamins levels in a sample of Chinese and Malays subjects in UPM, Serdang. One hundred subjects were randomly selected from among the university population. Folate, vitamin B12, B6, and homocysteine levels were determined using MBA, ECLIA, and HPLC, respectively. PCR coupled with HinfI digestion was used for detection of MTHFR C677T polymorphism. The frequency of T allele was higher in the Chinese subjects (0.40) compared to the Malay (0.14). Folate, vitamin B12 and B6 levels were highest in the wild genotype in both ethnic groups. Subjects with heterozygous and homozygous genotype showed the highest homocysteine levels. The serum folate and homocysteine were mainly affected by homozygous genotype. MTHFR C677T polymorphism plays an important role in influencing the folate and homocysteine metabolism.

MTHFR deficiency or reduced intake of folate or choline in pregnant mice results in impaired short-term memory and increased apoptosis in the hippocampus of wild-type offspring.

PubMed

Jadavji, N M; Deng, L; Malysheva, O; Caudill, M A; Rozen, R

2015-08-06

Genetic or nutritional disturbances in one-carbon metabolism, with associated hyperhomocysteinemia, can result in complex disorders including pregnancy complications and neuropsychiatric diseases. In earlier work, we showed that mice with a complete deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a critical enzyme in folate and homocysteine metabolism, had cognitive impairment with disturbances in choline metabolism. Maternal demands for folate and choline are increased during pregnancy and deficiencies of these nutrients result in several negative outcomes including increased resorption and delayed development. The goal of this study was to investigate the behavioral and neurobiological impact of a maternal genetic deficiency in MTHFR or maternal nutritional deficiency of folate or choline during pregnancy on 3-week-old Mthfr(+/+) offspring. Mthfr(+/+) and Mthfr(+/-) females were placed on control diets (CD); and Mthfr(+/+) females were placed on folate-deficient diets (FD) or choline-deficient diets (ChDD) throughout pregnancy and lactation until their offspring were 3weeks of age. Short-term memory was assessed in offspring, and hippocampal tissue was evaluated for morphological changes, apoptosis, proliferation and choline metabolism. Maternal MTHFR deficiency resulted in short-term memory impairment in offspring. These dams had elevated levels of plasma homocysteine when compared with wild-type dams. There were no differences in plasma homocysteine in offspring. Increased apoptosis and proliferation was observed in the hippocampus of offspring from Mthfr(+/-) mothers. In the maternal FD and ChDD study, offspring also showed short-term memory impairment with increased apoptosis in the hippocampus; increased neurogenesis was observed in ChDD offspring. Choline acetyltransferase protein was increased in the offspring hippocampus of both dietary groups and betaine was decreased in the hippocampus of FD offspring. Our results reveal short-term memory

Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C) Polymorphisms and Haplotypes with Silent Brain Infarction and Homocysteine Levels in a Korean Population

PubMed Central

Han, In Bo; Kim, Ok Joon; Ahn, Jung Yong; Oh, Doyeun; Hong, Sun Pyo; Huh, Ryoong; Chung, Sang Sup

2010-01-01

Purpose Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the main regulatory enzyme for homocysteine metabolism. In the present study, we evaluated whether the MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C gene polymorphisms are associated with SBI and plasma homocysteine concentration in a Korean population. Materials and Methods We enrolled 264 patients with SBI and 234 healthy controls in South Korea. Fasting plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations were measured, and genotype analysis of the MTHFR gene was carried out. Results The plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher in patients with SBI than in healthy controls. Despite a significant association between the MTHFR 677TT genotype and hyperhomocysteinemia, the MTHFR 677C>T genotypes did not appear to influence susceptibility to SBI. However, odds ratios of the 1298AC and 1298AC + CC genotypes for the 1298AA genotype were significantly different between SBI patients and normal controls. The frequencies of 677C-1298A and 677C-1298C haplotypes were significantly higher in the SBI group than in the control group. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphism is a risk factor for SBI in a Korean population. The genotypes of 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms interact additively, and increase the risk of SBI in Korean subjects. PMID:20191019

MTHFR Functional Polymorphism C677T and Genomic Instability in the Etiology of Idiopathic Autism in Simplex Families. Revision

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

that de novo CNVs rates are consistently high in SPX ASD (5.8%-10.2%) versus familial ASD (2-3%), we hypothesize that low-activity MTHFR 677T allele...leads to increase global DNA hypomethylation and consequently results in increased generation of de novo CNVs bringing about a higher risk for...developing sporadic cases of autism. We proposed to test 1) the association of MTHFR 677T allele with rate of ASD related de novo CNVs ; 2) the

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and risk of molecularly defined subtypes of childhood acute leukemia

PubMed Central

Wiemels, Joseph L.; Smith, Rosalyn N.; Taylor, G. Malcolm; Eden, Osborn B.; Alexander, Freda E.; Greaves, Mel F.

2001-01-01

Low folate intake as well as alterations in folate metabolism as a result of polymorphisms in the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have been associated with an increased incidence of neural tube defects, vascular disease, and some cancers. Polymorphic variants of MTHFR lead to enhanced thymidine pools and better quality DNA synthesis that could afford some protection from the development of leukemias, particularly those with translocations. We now report associations of MTHFR polymorphisms in three subgroups of pediatric leukemias: infant lymphoblastic or myeloblastic leukemias with MLL rearrangements and childhood lymphoblastic leukemias with either TEL-AML1 fusions or hyperdiploid karyotypes. Pediatric leukemia patients (n = 253 total) and healthy newborn controls (n = 200) were genotyped for MTHFR polymorphisms at nucleotides 677 (C→T) and 1,298 (A→C). A significant association for carriers of C677T was demonstrated for leukemias with MLL translocations (MLL+, n = 37) when compared with controls [adjusted odd ratios (OR) = 0.36 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.15–0.85; P = 0.017]. This protective effect was not evident for A1298C alleles (OR = 1.14). In contrast, associations for A1298C homozygotes (CC; OR = 0.26 with a 95% CI of 0.07–0.81) and C677T homozygotes (TT; OR = 0.49 with a 95% CI of 0.20–1.17) were observed for hyperdiploid leukemias (n = 138). No significant associations were evident for either polymorphism with TEL-AML1+ leukemias (n = 78). These differences in allelic associations may point to discrete attributes of the two alleles in their ability to alter folate and one-carbon metabolite pools and impact after DNA synthesis and methylation pathways, but should be viewed cautiously pending larger follow-up studies. The data provide evidence that molecularly defined subgroups of pediatric leukemias have different etiologies and also suggest a role of folate in the development of childhood leukemia. PMID:11274424

Association between ACE (rs4646994), FABP2 (rs1799883), MTHFR (rs1801133), FTO (rs9939609) Genes Polymorphism and Type 2 Diabetes with Dyslipidemia.

PubMed

Raza, Syed Tasleem; Abbas, Shania; Siddiqi, Zeba; Mahdi, Farzana

2017-01-01

Diabetic dyslipidemia is one of the leading causes of coronary artery disease (CAD) death. Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dyslipidemia. The present study was aimed to investigate the association of ACE (rs4646994), FABP2 (rs1799883), MTHFR (rs1801133) and FTO (rs9939609) genes polymorphism in T2DM with dyslipidemia. Totally, 559 subjects including 221 T2DM cases with dyslipidemia, 158 T2DM without dyslipidemia and 180 controls were enrolled. ACE genes polymorphism was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while MTHFR , FABP2 , FTO genes polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Significant association of ACE and MTHFR genes polymorphisms were found in both group of cases [T2DM with dyslipidemia (P<0.001, and P=0.008, respectively) and T2DM without dyslipidemia (P=0.003, and P=0.010, respectively)] while FABP2 and FTO genes polymorphisms were significantly associated with T2DM without dyslipidemia (P=0.038, and P= 0.019, respectively). This study concludes that ACE , FABP2 , FTO and MTHFR genes are associated with T2DM. Additionally, it also seems that ACE and MTHFR genes might be further associated with the development of dyslipidemia in T2DM cases.

The association between MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism and ALL risk based on a meta-analysis involving 17,469 subjects.

PubMed

Zhang, Beibei; Zhang, Weiming; Yan, Liang; Wang, Daogang

2017-03-01

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism is closely related to the acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) indicated by many previous epidemiologic studies. However, their conclusions were still conflicting. Our aim is to evaluate their associations using a more comprehensive updated meta-analysis. Electronic searches were conducted to select published studies prior to February, 2016. Totally, 39 case-control studies including 6551 ALL cases and 10,918 controls were selected in current meta-analysis. The association was detected significantly between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ALL reducing susceptibility. Our results indicate that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism may be a promising ALL biomarker and studies to explore the protein levels of the variants and their functional role are required for the definitive conclusions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Folate intake and the MTHFR C677T genotype influence choline status in young Mexican American women☆

PubMed Central

Abratte, Christian M.; Wang, Wei; Li, Rui; Moriarty, David J.; Caudill, Marie A.

2009-01-01

Numerous studies have reported a relationship between folate status, the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C→T variant and disease risk. Although folate and choline metabolism are inter-related, only limited data are available on the relationship between choline and folate status in humans. This study sought to examine the influences of folate intake and the MTHFR 677C→T variant on choline status. Mexican-American women (n =43; 14 CC, 12 CT and 17 TT) consumed 135 μg/day as dietary folate equivalents (DFE) for 7 weeks followed by randomization to 400 or 800 μg DFE/day for 7 weeks. Throughout the study, total choline intake remained unchanged at ∼350 mg/day. Plasma concentrations of betaine, choline, glycerophosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin were measured via LC-MS/MS for Weeks 0, 7 and 14. Phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin declined ( P=.001, P=.009, respectively) in response to folate restriction and increased ( P=.08, P=.029, respectively) in response to folate treatment. The increase in phosphatidylcholine occurred in response to 800 ( P=.03) not 400 ( P=.85) μg DFE/day (week×folate interaction, P=.017). The response of phosphatidylcholine to folate intake appeared to be influenced by MTHFR C677T genotype. The decline in phosphatidylcholine during folate restriction occurred primarily in women with the CC or CT genotype and not in the TT genotype (week×genotype interaction, P=.089). Moreover, when examined independent of folate status, phosphatidylcholine was higher ( P <.05) in the TT genotype relative to the CT genotype. These data suggest that folate intake and the MTHFR C677T genotype influence choline status in humans. PMID:17588738

5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Filipino children.

PubMed

Alcasabas, Patricia; Ravindranath, Yaddanapudi; Goyette, Gerard; Haller, Andrew; Del Rosario, Luz; Lesaca-Medina, Maria Ysabel; Darga, Linda; Ostrea, Enrique M; Taub, Jeffrey W; Everson, Richard B

2008-08-01

5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical enzyme in folate metabolism. Polymorphisms at the C677T and A1298C loci are associated with reduced activity; consequently more folate substrates are shunted toward thymidylate and DNA synthesis. Several studies have reported a reduced risk of developing ALL in children with MTHFR polymorphisms. The objective of this study was to determine the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and ALL in Filipino children. We conducted a case control study in children diagnosed with ALL at the Philippine General Hospital from 1/2001 through 12/2005. Bone marrow aspirate slides were reviewed by two expert hematologists to verify the morphologic diagnosis of ALL. DNA was isolated from the slides and MTHFR polymorphisms, C677T and A1298C, were determined using Taqman real-time PCR. Cord blood of healthy Filipino newborns served as control. There were a total of 191 ALL and 394 controls genotyped. The distribution of C677T polymorphisms was similar in the two groups (P = 1.0). However, for A1298C, there was significantly more AC and CC genotypes in the ALL compared to controls (P = 0.02; OR 1.57; CI: 1.08-2.28). The 1298C allele frequency for the control group was 36.8% and 677T allele frequency was 9.9%. A1298C polymorphisms is associated with an increased risk for ALL in Filipino children. This may be due to a difference in leukemia biology or to a high prevalence of folate deficiency in Filipinos. Our study reiterates the gene and environment interaction in leukemogenesis.

The thermolabile variant of MTHFR is associated with depression in the British Women's Heart and Health Study and a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Lewis, S J; Lawlor, D A; Davey Smith, G; Araya, R; Timpson, N; Day, I N M; Ebrahim, S

2006-04-01

Low dietary folate intake has been implicated as a risk factor for depression. However, observational epidemiological studies are plagued by problems of confounding, reverse causality and measurement error. A common polymorphism (C677T) in MTHFR is associated with methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity and circulating folate and homocysteine levels and offers insights into whether the association between low folate and depression is causal. We genotyped this polymorphism in 3,478 women in the British Women's Heart and Health Study. In these women, we looked at the association between genotype and three indicators of depression; ever diagnosed as depressed, currently taking antidepressants and the EuroQol mood question. We also carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published studies which have looked at the association between MTHFR C677T genotype and depression. In the British Women's Heart and Health Study, we found evidence of an increased risk of ever being diagnosed as depressed in MTHFR C677T TT individuals compared with CC individuals, odds ratio (OR) 1.35(95% CI: 1.01, 1.80). Furthermore, we identified eight other studies, which have examined the association between depression and MTHFR C677T. We were able to include all of these studies in our meta-analysis together with our results, obtaining an overall summary OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.67, P=0.003). Since this genotype influences the functioning of the folate metabolic pathway, these findings suggest that folate or its derivatives may be causally related to risk of depression. Molecular Psychiatry (2006) 11, 352-360. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001790; published online 10 January 2006.

Germline variation in the MTHFR and MTRR genes determines the nadir of bone density in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a prospective study.

PubMed

te Winkel, M L; de Muinck Keizer-Schrama, S M P F; de Jonge, R; van Beek, R D; van der Sluis, I M; Hop, W C J; Pieters, R; van den Heuvel-Eibrink, M M

2011-03-01

This study aims to identify folate-metabolism-related genetic risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) during/after pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. We investigated the influence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C > T and 1298A > C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR 66A > G) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on total body BMD (BMD(TB)) and lumbar spine BMD (BMD(LS)) in 83 patients. Homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 were determined. BMD was measured repeatedly using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in patients ≥ 4 years (n = 68). Carriers of the MTHFR 677 T-allele showed a lower baseline BMD(TB) than non-carriers (-0.38 SDS vs. +0.55 SDS, p = 0.01) and BMD(TB) remained lower during/after treatment. MTHFR 677C>T did not influence treatment-related loss of BMD(TB) (p = 0.39). The MTRR 66 G-allele carriers showed a trend towards a lower BMD(TB) compared with non-carriers. Combining these two SNPs, patients carrying ≥ 2 risk alleles had a significantly lower BMD(TB) (-1.40 SDS) than patients with one (-0.80 SDS) or no risk alleles (-0.31 SDS). Although carriers of the MTHFR 1298A > C had higher homocysteine levels, this SNP was not related to BMD(TB). BMD(LS) of carriers was similar to non-carriers of the investigated SNPs. The MTHFR 677C>T SNP and the MTRR 66A >G SNP were identified as determinants of impaired BMD(TB) in childhood ALL patients. Crown Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Polymorphisms in NOS3, MTHFR, APOB and TNF-α Genes and Risk of Coronary Atherosclerotic Lesions in Iranian Patients

PubMed Central

Heidari, Mohammad Mehdi; Khatami, Mehri; Hadadzadeh, Mehdi; Kazemi, Mahbobeh; Mahamed, Sahar; Malekzadeh, Pegah; Mirjalili, Massomeh

2015-01-01

Background: Atherosclerosis is a complex multifocal arterial disease involving interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the possible association between NOS3 (rs1799983), MTHFR (rs1801133), APOB (rs5742904) and TNF-α (rs361525) polymorphisms and the risk of coronary atherosclerotic lesions in Iranian patients. Patients and Methods: In the case-control study, 108 patients with coronary atherosclerosis disease and 95 control subjects with no family history of cardiovascular disease were enrolled. Genotypes for NOS3, MTHFR, APOB and TNF-α polymorphisms were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: We specifically detected the NOS3 TT genotype in 12 patients (11.11%) and did not find the same genotype in any of the controls. The frequencies of T allele in patients and the controls were 24% and 17.8%, respectively. The prevalence of the MTHFR TT genotype was 16.7% in patients and 2.2% in control groups. The prevalence of the APOB-100 (R3500Q) mutation in this patient population was 0%. The frequency of the A allele in the TNF-α gene was 11.1% and 11% in patients and controls, respectively, and the AA genotype was undetected. Conclusions: Our results show a significant association of NOS3 and MTHFR gene polymorphisms with coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, these variants might influence the risk of coronary artery disease, specifically in the Iranian population. PMID:26878010

Clinical impact of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations among sickle cell disease patients of Central India.

PubMed

Nishank, Sudhansu Sekhar; Singh, Mendi Prema Shyam Sunder; Yadav, Rajiv

2013-11-01

It is known that patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) present activation of the blood coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, especially during vaso-occlusive crises and also during the steady state of the disease. We determined whether the presence of the factor prothrombin gene G20210A variant, factor V gene G1691A mutation (factor V Leiden), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms may be risk factors for vascular complications in individuals with SCD. The study involved 150 patients with sickle cell anemia and 150 healthy controls of Central India. Genotyping of three thrombophilic mutations was carried out by PCR-RFLP methods using MnlI, Hind III, and Hinf I, respectively, for factor V Leiden, prothrombin, and MTHFR mutations. Patients with SCD had significantly higher prevalence of mutant variants of MTHFR gene (28.0% heterozygotes and 14.6% homozygotes) and FVL gene (14.6% heterozygotes) as compared to normal/control individuals, but complete absence of mutant variants of prothrombin gene. The patients with SCD having mutant variants of MTHFR and FVL genes showed higher incidence of pain in chest, abdomen, and bone joints along with early age of onset of clinical manifestations as well as frequent dependence on blood transfusion than those patients with SCD having wild variants of these thrombotic genes. As compared to control subjects, SCD individuals having mutant variants of FVL and MTHFR genes had significant association with higher levels of prothrombin fragment (F1+2), D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin (TAT), and lower level of protein C. MTHFR C677T and FVL G1691A polymorphisms may be risk factors for increased vascular complications in patient with SCD. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT in non-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Pasta, Linda; Pasta, Francesca

2015-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the different roles of thrombophilia in patients with and without viral etiology. The thrombophilic genetic factors (THRGFs), PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR 677TT, V Leiden 506Q and prothrombin 20210A, were studied as risk factors in 1079 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), enrolled from January 2000 to January 2014. METHODS: All Caucasian LC patients consecutively observed in a fourteen-year period were included; the presence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and Budd Chiari syndrome (BCS) was registered. The differences between the proportions of each THRGF with regard to the presence or absence of viral etiology and the frequencies of the THRGF genotypes with those predicted in a population by the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were registered. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventeen/one thousand and seventy-six patients (38.6%) showed thrombophilia: 217 PAI-1 4G-4G, 176 MTHFR C677TT, 71 V Leiden factor and 41 prothrombin G20210 A, 84 with more than 1 THRGF; 350 presented with no viral liver cirrhosis (NVLC) and 729 with, called viral liver cirrhosis (VLC), of whom 56 patients were hepatitis C virus + hepatitis B virus. PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR C677TT, the presence of at least one TRHGF and the presence of > 1 THRGF, were statistically more frequent in patients with NVLC vs patients with VLC: All χ2 > 3.85 and P < 0.05. Patients with PVT and/or BCS with at least one TRHGF were 189/352 (53.7%). The Hardy-Weinberg of PAI-1 and MTHFR 677 genotypes deviated from that expected from a population in equilibrium in patients with NVLC (respectively χ2 = 39.3; P < 0.000 and χ2 = 27.94; P < 0.05), whereas the equilibrium was respected in VLC. CONCLUSION: MTHFR 677TT was nearly twofold and PAI-1 4G-4G more than threefold more frequently found in NVLC vs patients with VLC; the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of these two polymorphisms confirms this data in NVLC. We suggest that PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT could be considered as factors of fibrosis and thrombosis mechanisms, increasing

PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT in non-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis.

PubMed

Pasta, Linda; Pasta, Francesca

2015-12-18

To evaluate the different roles of thrombophilia in patients with and without viral etiology. The thrombophilic genetic factors (THRGFs), PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR 677TT, V Leiden 506Q and prothrombin 20210A, were studied as risk factors in 1079 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), enrolled from January 2000 to January 2014. All Caucasian LC patients consecutively observed in a fourteen-year period were included; the presence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and Budd Chiari syndrome (BCS) was registered. The differences between the proportions of each THRGF with regard to the presence or absence of viral etiology and the frequencies of the THRGF genotypes with those predicted in a population by the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were registered. Four hundred and seventeen/one thousand and seventy-six patients (38.6%) showed thrombophilia: 217 PAI-1 4G-4G, 176 MTHFR C677TT, 71 V Leiden factor and 41 prothrombin G20210 A, 84 with more than 1 THRGF; 350 presented with no viral liver cirrhosis (NVLC) and 729 with, called viral liver cirrhosis (VLC), of whom 56 patients were hepatitis C virus + hepatitis B virus. PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR C677TT, the presence of at least one TRHGF and the presence of > 1 THRGF, were statistically more frequent in patients with NVLC vs patients with VLC: All χ (2) > 3.85 and P < 0.05. Patients with PVT and/or BCS with at least one TRHGF were 189/352 (53.7%). The Hardy-Weinberg of PAI-1 and MTHFR 677 genotypes deviated from that expected from a population in equilibrium in patients with NVLC (respectively χ (2) = 39.3; P < 0.000 and χ (2) = 27.94; P < 0.05), whereas the equilibrium was respected in VLC. MTHFR 677TT was nearly twofold and PAI-1 4G-4G more than threefold more frequently found in NVLC vs patients with VLC; the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of these two polymorphisms confirms this data in NVLC. We suggest that PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT could be considered as factors of fibrosis and thrombosis mechanisms, increasing the inflammation response

Gender-specific interactions of MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G polymorphisms with overweight/obesity on serum lipid levels in a Chinese Han population.

PubMed

Zhi, Xueyuan; Yang, Boyi; Fan, Shujun; Wang, Yanxun; Wei, Jian; Zheng, Quanmei; Sun, Guifan

2016-10-28

Little is known regarding the interactions of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G polymorphisms with overweight/obesity on serum lipid profiles. The aim of the current study was to explore interactions between the two polymorphisms and overweight/obesity on four common lipid levels in a Chinese Han population and further to evaluate whether these interactions exhibit gender-specificity. A total of 2239 participants (750 females and 1489 males) were enrolled into this study. The genotypes of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G were determined by a TaqMan assay. Overweight and obesity were defined as a body mass index between 24 and 27.99 and ≥ 28 kg/m 2 , respectively. The interactions were examined by factorial design covariance analysis, and further multiple comparisons were conducted by Bonferroni correction. There was no significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between females and males (MTHFR 677 T allele: 54.47 % for females and 54.40 % for males; MTRR 66G allele: 24.73 % for females and 24.71 % for males). Interaction between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and overweight/obesity on serum triglyceride levels, and interaction between the MTRR A66G polymorphism and overweight/obesity on serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were detected in women (P = 0.015 and P = 0.056, respectively). For female subjects with overweight/obesity, the serum triglyceride levels in MTHFR 677TT genotype [1.09 (0.78-1.50) mmol/L] were significantly higher as compared with MTHFR 677CC genotype [0.90 (0.60-1.15) mmol/L, P = 0.007], and the MTRR 66GG genotype carriers had higher serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those with MTRR 66AG genotype (1.46 ± 0.50 vs. 1.19 ± 0.31 mmol/L, P = 0.058). Furthermore, in male subjects with overweight/obesity, the MTHFR 677CT genotype carriers had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Wheeler, David L

2007-01-01

GenBank (R) is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 240 000 named organisms, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the EMBL Data Library in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through NCBI's retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI Homepage (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Wheeler, David L

2006-01-01

GenBank (R) is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available DNA sequences for more than 205 000 named organisms, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the Web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the EMBL Data Library in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through NCBI's retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, go to the NCBI Homepage at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

GenBank

PubMed Central

Benson, Dennis A.; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J.; Ostell, James; Wheeler, David L.

2007-01-01

GenBank (R) is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 240 000 named organisms, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the EMBL Data Library in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through NCBI's retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI Homepage (). PMID:17202161

DPYD*2A and MTHFR C677T predict toxicity and efficacy, respectively, in patients on chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil for colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Nahid, Noor Ahmed; Apu, Mohd Nazmul Hasan; Islam, Md Reazul; Shabnaz, Samia; Chowdhury, Surid Mohammad; Ahmed, Maizbha Uddin; Nahar, Zabun; Islam, Md Siddiqul; Islam, Mohammad Safiqul; Hasnat, Abul

2018-01-01

Significant inter-individual variation in the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) represents a major therapeutic hindrance either by impairing drug response or inducing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This study aimed at exploring the cause behind this inter-individual alterations in consequences of 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy by investigating the effects of DPYD*2A and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms on toxicity and response of 5-FU in Bangladeshi colorectal cancer patients. Colorectal cancer patients (n = 161) receiving 5-FU-based chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled. DPYD and MTHFR polymorphisms were assessed in peripheral leukocytes. Multivariate analyses were applied to evaluate which variables could predict chemotherapy-induced toxicity and efficacy. Multivariate analyses showed that DPYD*2A polymorphism was a predictive factor (P = 0.023) for grade 3 and grade 4 5-fluorouracil-related toxicities. Although MTHFR C677T polymorphism might act as forecasters for grade 3 or grade 4 neutropenia, diarrhea, and mucositis, this polymorphism was found to increase significantly (P = 0.006) the response of 5-FU. DPYD*2A and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms could explain 5-FU toxicity or clinical outcome in Bangladeshi colorectal patients.

MTHFR C677T genotype influences the isotopic enrichment of one-carbon metabolites in folate-compromised men consuming d9-choline.

PubMed

Yan, Jian; Wang, Wei; Gregory, Jesse F; Malysheva, Olga; Brenna, J Thomas; Stabler, Sally P; Allen, Robert H; Caudill, Marie A

2011-02-01

Homozygosity for the variant 677T allele in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene increases the requirement for folate and may alter the metabolic use of choline. The choline adequate intake is 550 mg/d for men, although the metabolic consequences of consuming extra choline are unclear. Deuterium-labeled choline (d9-choline) as tracer was used to determine the differential effects of the MTHFR C677T genotype and the effect of various choline intakes on the isotopic enrichment of choline derivatives in folate-compromised men. Mexican American men with the MTHFR 677CC or 677TT genotype consumed a diet providing 300 mg choline/d plus supplemental choline chloride for total choline intakes of 550 (n = 11; 4 with 677CC and 7 with 677TT) or 1100 (n = 12; 4 with 677CC and 8 with 677TT) mg/d for 12 wk. During the last 3 wk, 15% of the total choline intake was provided as d9-choline. Low but measurable enrichments of the choline metabolites were achieved, including that of d3-phosphatidylcholine (d3-PtdCho)--a metabolite produced in the de novo pathway via choline-derived methyl groups. Men with the MTHFR 677TT genotype had a higher urinary enrichment ratio of betaine to choline (P = 0.041), a higher urinary enrichment of sarcosine (P = 0.041), and a greater plasma enrichment ratio of d9-betaine to d9-PtdCho with the 1100 mg choline/d intake (P = 0.033). These data show for the first time in humans that choline itself is a source of methyl groups for de novo PtdCho biosynthesis and indicate that the MTHFR 677TT genotype favors the use of choline as a methyl donor.

Association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis based on 51 case-control studies.

PubMed

Li, Su-yi; Ye, Jie-yu; Liang, En-yu; Zhou, Li-xia; Yang, Mo

2015-03-12

Studies and systematic reviews have reached inconsistent conclusions on the role of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism C677T in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk. The present meta-analysis comprising of 51 case-control studies, including 7892 cases and 14 280 controls was performed to reevaluate the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ALL risk. Statistical differences were found in the dominant model (TT+CT vs. CC, odd ratio (OR)=0.89, 95% CI, 0.79-1.00, P=0.04) and the CT vs. CC (OR=0.89, 95% CI, 0.80-1.00, P=0.05), but not in the allele contrast model (T vs. C, OR=0.92, 95% CI, 0.84-1.01, P=0.08), additive model (TT vs. CC, OR=0.87, 95% CI, 0.73-1.05, P=0.15), or recessive model (TT vs. CT+CC, OR=0.94, 95% CI, 0.81-1.10, P=0.44) in overall populations. In the subgroup analyses stratified by age (children and adults) and ethnicity (Asian and Caucasian), no significant associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ALL risk were observed. The current study found no sufficient evidence of a protective role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in ALL susceptibility.

Response of MiRNA-22-3p and MiRNA-149-5p to Folate Deficiency and the Differential Regulation of MTHFR Expression in Normal and Cancerous Human Hepatocytes

PubMed Central

Li, Chao; Ni, Juan; Liu, Yao-Xian; Wang, Han; Liang, Zi-Qing; Wang, Xu

2017-01-01

Background/Aims Folic acid (FA) is a core micronutrient involved in DNA synthesis/methylation, and the metabolism of FA is responsible for genomic stability. MicroRNAs may affect gene expression during folate metabolism when cellular homeostasis is changed. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between FA deficiency and the expression of miR-22-p/miR-149-5p and the targeted regulation of miR-22-3p/miR-149-5p on the key folate metabolic gene Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Methods Normal (HL-7702 cells) and cancerous (QGY-7703 cells) human hepatocytes were intervened in modified RPMI 1640 with FA deficiency for 21 days. The interaction between MTHFR and the tested miRNAs was verified by Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assays. The changes in the expression of miR-22-3p/miR-149-5p in response to FA deficiency were detected by Poly (A) Tailing RT-qPCR, and the expression of MTHFR at both the transcriptional and translational levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Result MiR-22-3p/miR-149-5p directly targeted the 3’UTR sequence of the MTHFR gene. FA deficiency led to an upregulation of miR-22-3p/miR-149-5p expression in QGY-7703/HL-7702 cells, while the transcription of MTHFR was decreased in QGY-7703 cells but elevated in HL-7702 cells. Western blotting showed that FA deficiency resulted in a decline of the MTHFR protein in QGY-7703 cells, whereas in HL-7702 cells, the MTHFR protein level remained constant. Conclusion The results suggested that miR-22-3p/miR-149-5p exert different post-transcriptional effects on MTHFR under conditions of FA deficiency in normal and cancerous human hepatocytes. The results also implied that miR-22-3p/miR-149-5p might exert anticancer effects in cases of long-term FA deficiency. PMID:28045918

Taxonomic dissection of the genus Micrococcus: Kocuria gen. nov., Nesterenkonia gen. nov., Kytococcus gen. nov., Dermacoccus gen. nov., and Micrococcus Cohn 1872 gen. emend.

PubMed

Stackebrandt, E; Koch, C; Gvozdiak, O; Schumann, P

1995-10-01

The results of a phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analysis of the genus Micrococcus indicated that it is significantly heterogeneous. Except for Micrococcus lylae, no species groups phylogenetically with the type species of the genus, Micrococcus luteus. The other members of the genus form three separate phylogenetic lines which on the basis of chemotaxonomic properties can be assigned to four genera. These genera are the genus Kocuria gen. nov. for Micrococcus roseus, Micrococcus varians, and Micrococcus kristinae, described as Kocuria rosea comb. nov., Kocuria varians comb. nov., and Kocuria kristinae comb. nov., respectively; the genus Nesterenkonia gen. nov. for Micrococcus halobius, described as Nesterenkonia halobia comb. nov.; the genus Nesterenkonia gen. nov. for Micrococcus halobius, described as Nesterenkonia halobia comb. nov.; the genus Dermacoccus gen. nov. for Micrococcus nishinomiyaensis, described as Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis comb. nov.; and the genus Kytocossus gen. nov. for Micrococcus sedentarius, described as Kytococcus sedentarius comb. nov. M. luteus and M. lylae, which are closely related phylogenetically but differ in some chemotaxonomic properties, are the only species that remain in the genus Micrococcus Cohn 1872. An emended description of the genus Micrococcus is given [corrected].

Spectrum of MTHFR gene SNPs C677T and A1298C: a study among 23 population groups of India.

PubMed

Saraswathy, Kallur Nava; Asghar, Mohammad; Samtani, Ratika; Murry, Benrithung; Mondal, Prakash Ranjan; Ghosh, Pradeep Kumar; Sachdeva, Mohinder Pal

2012-04-01

Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for many complex disorders. The role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in methylation of homocysteine makes it one of the most important candidate genes for these disorders. Considering the heterogeneity in its distribution in world populations, we screened MTHFR C677T and A1298C single nucleotide polymorphisms in a total of 23 Indian caste, tribal and religious population groups from five geographical regions of India and belonging to four major linguistic groups. The frequencies of MTHFR 677T and 1298C alleles were found to be 10.08 and 20.66%, respectively. MTHFR homozygous genotype 677TT was absent in eight population groups and homozygous 1298CC was absent in two population groups. 677T allele was found to be highest among north Indian populations with Indo-European tongue and 1298C was high among Dravidian-speaking tribes of east India and south India. The less common mutant haplotype 677T-1298C was observed among seven population groups and overall the frequency of this haplotype was 0.008, which is similar to that of African populations. cis configuration of 677T and 1298C was 0.94%. However, we could not find any individual with four mutant alleles which supports the earlier observation that presence of more than two mutant alleles may decrease the viability of foetus and possibly be a selective disadvantage in the population.

High dietary folate in pregnant mice leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency and altered methyl metabolism, with embryonic growth delay and short-term memory impairment in offspring.

PubMed

Bahous, Renata H; Jadavji, Nafisa M; Deng, Liyuan; Cosín-Tomás, Marta; Lu, Jessica; Malysheva, Olga; Leung, Kit-Yi; Ho, Ming-Kai; Pallàs, Mercè; Kaliman, Perla; Greene, Nicholas D E; Bedell, Barry J; Caudill, Marie A; Rozen, Rima

2017-03-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) generates methyltetrahydrofolate for methylation reactions. Severe MTHFR deficiency results in homocystinuria and neurologic impairment. Mild MTHFR deficiency (677C > T polymorphism) increases risk for complex traits, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Although low dietary folate impacts brain development, recent concerns have focused on high folate intake following food fortification and increased vitamin use. Our goal was to determine whether high dietary folate during pregnancy affects brain development in murine offspring. Female mice were placed on control diet (CD) or folic acid-supplemented diet (FASD) throughout mating, pregnancy and lactation. Three-week-old male pups were evaluated for motor and cognitive function. Tissues from E17.5 embryos, pups and dams were collected for choline/methyl metabolite measurements, immunoblotting or gene expression of relevant enzymes. Brains were examined for morphology of hippocampus and cortex. Pups of FASD mothers displayed short-term memory impairment, decreased hippocampal size and decreased thickness of the dentate gyrus. MTHFR protein levels were reduced in FASD pup livers, with lower concentrations of phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine in liver and hippocampus, respectively. FASD pup brains showed evidence of altered acetylcholine availability and Dnmt3a mRNA was reduced in cortex and hippocampus. E17.5 embryos and placentas from FASD dams were smaller. MTHFR protein and mRNA were reduced in embryonic liver, with lower concentrations of choline, betaine and phosphocholine. Embryonic brain displayed altered development of cortical layers. In summary, high folate intake during pregnancy leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, disturbed choline/methyl metabolism, embryonic growth delay and memory impairment in offspring. These findings highlight the unintended negative consequences of supplemental folic acid. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Sayers, Eric W

2011-01-01

GenBank® is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 380,000 organisms named at the genus level or lower, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects, including whole genome shotgun (WGS) and environmental sampling projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs, and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) and the DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through the NCBI Entrez retrieval system that integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI Homepage: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Sayers, Eric W

2009-01-01

GenBank is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 300,000 organisms named at the genus level or lower, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs, and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank(R) staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Nucleotide Sequence Database in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Entrez retrieval system, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI Homepage: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Wheeler, David L

2005-01-01

GenBank is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available DNA sequences for more than 165,000 named organisms, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the EMBL Data Library in the UK and the DNA Data Bank of Japan helps to ensure worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through NCBI's retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, go to the NCBI Homepage at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Wheeler, David L

2008-01-01

GenBank (R) is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 260 000 named organisms, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Nucleotide Sequence Database in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through NCBI's retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI Homepage: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

GenBank

PubMed Central

Benson, Dennis A.; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J.; Ostell, James; Wheeler, David L.

2008-01-01

GenBank (R) is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 260 000 named organisms, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Nucleotide Sequence Database in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through NCBI's retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI Homepage: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov PMID:18073190

MTHFR Gene and Serum Folate Interaction on Serum Homocysteine Lowering: Prospect for Precision Folic Acid Treatment.

PubMed

Huang, Xiao; Qin, Xianhui; Yang, Wenbin; Liu, Lishun; Jiang, Chongfei; Zhang, Xianglin; Jiang, Shanqun; Bao, Huihui; Su, Hai; Li, Ping; He, Mingli; Song, Yun; Zhao, Min; Yin, Delu; Wang, Yu; Zhang, Yan; Li, Jianping; Yang, Renqang; Wu, Yanqing; Hong, Kui; Wu, Qinhua; Chen, Yundai; Sun, Ningling; Li, Xiaoying; Tang, Genfu; Wang, Binyan; Cai, Yefeng; Hou, Fan Fan; Huo, Yong; Wang, Hong; Wang, Xiaobin; Cheng, Xiaoshu

2018-03-01

This post hoc analysis of the CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial) assessed the individual variation in total homocysteine (tHcy)-lowering response after an average 4.5 years of 0.8 mg daily folic acid therapy in Chinese hypertensive adults and evaluated effect modification by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) C677T genotypes and serum folate levels. This analysis included 16 413 participants from the CSPPT, who were randomly assigned to 2 double-blind treatment groups: either 10-mg enalapril+0.8-mg folic acid or 10-mg enalapril, daily and had individual measurements of serum folate and tHcy levels at baseline and exit visits and MTHFR C677T genotypes. Mean baseline tHcy levels were comparable between the 2 treatment groups (14.5±8.5 versus 14.4±8.1 μmol/L; P =0.561). After 4.5 years of treatment, mean tHcy levels were reduced to 12.7±6.1 μmol/L in the enalapril+folic acid group, but almost stayed the same in the enalapril group (14.4±7.9 μmol/L, group difference: 1.61 μmol/L; 11% reduction). More importantly, tHcy lowering varied by MTHFR genotypes and serum folate levels. Compared with CC and CT genotypes, participants with the TT genotype had a more prominent L-shaped curve between tHcy and serum folate levels and required higher folate levels (at least 15 ng/mL) to eliminate the differences in tHcy by genotypes. Compared with CC or CT, tHcy in the TT group manifested a heightened L-shaped curve from low to high folate levels, but this difference in tHcy by genotype was eliminated when plasma folate levels reach ≈15 ng/mL or higher. Our data raised the prospect to tailor folic acid therapy according to individual MTHFR C677T genotype and folate status. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00794885. © 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.

[677T mutation of the MTHFR gene in adenomas and colorectal cancer in a population sample from the Northeastern Mexico. Preliminary results].

PubMed

Delgado-Enciso, I; Martínez-Garza, S G; Rojas-Martínez, A; Ortiz-López, R; Bosques-Padilla, F; Calderón-Garcidueñas, A L; Zárate-Gómez, M; Barrera-Saldaña, H A

2001-01-01

Adequate intake of folates has been associated to low prevalence of colon cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) plays an important role in folate metabolism. The role of the 677 mutation at the MTHFR gene in the risk for colorectal cancer remains controversial. A recent report established that this mutation has a high prevalence in the healthy Mexican population. To analyze the prevalence of 677T MTHFR mutation in patients with colorectal cancer and controls without chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Seventy-four colorectal cancer, 32 adenomas and 110 normal samples were analyzed. Patients and controls were matched for sex and age. For each sample, DNA isolation, PCR, and mutation detection by restriction enzyme digestion were performed to determine the allele at the 677 position in the MTHFR gene. Genotype 677C/677C was found in 18.7, 20.3, and 30.9% in adenomas, cancer lesions and controls, respectively. Frequencies of the 677C/677T genotype were 59.4, 56.7, and 47.3%, in adenomas, cancer lesions, and controls, respectively. Genotype 677T/677T was found in 21.9, 23.0, and 21.8% in adenomas, cancer lesions, and controls, respectively. The odds ratio between genotypes carrying the mutation (T/T and C/T) and normal genotype (CC) was 1.81 (IC 95% 0.97-3.3), chi 2 = 3.5, p = 0.06. Our results showed that persons who carry the 677T mutation at MTHFR locus have a tendency for an increased risk for colorectal cancer. This study supports the basic concept that low levels of folic acid contribute with the colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Our lack of statistic significance may be due to reduced sample size.

MTHFR and HFE, but not preproghrelin and LBP, polymorphisms as risk factors for all-cause end-stage renal disease development.

PubMed

Bloudíčková, S; Kuthanová, L; Hubáček, J A

2014-01-01

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a serious health problem worldwide. The high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in haemodialysed patients. Beside some external factors, genetic predisposition both to renal failure and poor prognosis has been assumed. We have collected a total of 1,014 haemodialysed patients and 2,559 unrelated healthy Caucasians. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes for preproghrelin (GHRL), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), HFE and MTHFR were genotyped. In the group of patients, significantly more carriers presented the MTHFR T667T (P = 0.002) and HFE Asp63Asp (P = 0.001) and Cys282Cys (P = 0.01) genotypes. The frequencies of individual SNPs within GHRL and LBP genes did not differ between the patients and controls. The trends in genotype frequencies did not differ between the subgroups of patients with different time on haemodialysis. Common variants in MTHFR and HFE could be a risk factor for all-cause ESRD development, but are not predictors for the survival on haemodialysis.

GenBank.

PubMed

Benson, Dennis A; Karsch-Mizrachi, Ilene; Lipman, David J; Ostell, James; Sayers, Eric W

2010-01-01

GenBank is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide sequences for more than 300,000 organisms named at the genus level or lower, obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects, including whole genome shotgun (WGS) and environmental sampling projects. Most submissions are made using the web-based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs, and accession numbers are assigned by GenBank staff upon receipt. Daily data exchange with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Nucleotide Sequence Database in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through the NCBI Entrez retrieval system, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bi-monthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, begin at the NCBI homepage: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Association of MTHFR C677T Genotype With Ischemic Stroke Is Confined to Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Subtype

PubMed Central

Traylor, Matthew; Adib-Samii, Poneh; Thijs, Vincent; Sudlow, Cathie; Rothwell, Peter M.; Boncoraglio, Giorgio; Dichgans, Martin; Meschia, James; Maguire, Jane; Levi, Christopher; Rost, Natalia S.; Rosand, Jonathan; Hassan, Ahamad; Bevan, Steve; Markus, Hugh S.

2016-01-01

Background and Purpose— Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with stroke. However, this might be a reflection of bias or confounding because trials have failed to demonstrate an effect from homocysteine lowering in stroke patients, although a possible benefit has been suggested in lacunar stroke. Genetic studies could potentially overcome these issues because genetic variants are inherited randomly and are fixed at conception. Therefore, we tested the homocysteine levels–associated genetic variant MTHFR C677T for association with magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed lacunar stroke and compared this with associations with large artery and cardioembolic stroke subtypes. Methods— We included 1359 magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed lacunar stroke cases, 1824 large artery stroke cases, 1970 cardioembolic stroke cases, and 14 448 controls, all of European ancestry. Furthermore, we studied 3670 ischemic stroke patients in whom white matter hyperintensities volume was measured. We tested MTHFR C677T for association with stroke subtypes and white matter hyperintensities volume. Because of the established association of homocysteine with hypertension, we additionally stratified for hypertension status. Results— MTHFR C677T was associated with lacunar stroke (P=0.0003) and white matter hyperintensity volume (P=0.04), but not with the other stroke subtypes. Stratifying the lacunar stroke cases for hypertension status confirmed this association in hypertensive individuals (P=0.0002), but not in normotensive individuals (P=0.30). Conclusions— MTHFR C677T was associated with magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed lacunar stroke, but not large artery or cardioembolic stroke. The association may act through increased susceptibility to, or interaction with, high blood pressure. This heterogeneity of association might explain the lack of effect of lowering homocysteine in secondary prevention trials which included all strokes. PMID:26839351

MTHFR A1298C and C677T gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic myeloid leukemia in Egypt.

PubMed

Aly, Rabab M; Taalab, Mona M; Ghazy, Hayam F

2014-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme regulating the intracellular folate metabolism which plays an important role in carcinogenesis through DNA methylation. We aimed to evaluate the association between MTHFR A1298C and C677T polymorphisms and the risks of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Eighty-five patients with CML and a control group containing 100 healthy, age and sex matched individuals were examined for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length (PCR-RFLP) method. The frequency of 677TT genotype in patients with CML was significantly higher compared to controls (OR=2.513, 95% CI: 0.722-4.086, P=0.025). No such association was shown for heterozygous 677CT (OR=1.010, 95% CI: 0.460-2.218, P=0.981). Moreover, for A1298C genotype, a statistically significant higher frequency of 1298CC was also detected in CML patients compared to control group (OR=1.1816, 95% CI: 0.952-3.573, P=0.036), 0.036). No such statistical significance was demonstrable for heterozygote 1298AC (OR=1.046, 95% CI: 0.740-1.759, P=0.092). In addition, patients with joint 677CT/1298AC or 677TT/1298CC genotypes showed an association with increased risk of CML (OR=1.849, 95% CI: 0.935-2.540, P=0.024; OR=1.915, 95% CI: 1.202-3.845, P=0.020 respectively). .A statistically significant increased risk of resistant to therapy was observed with 677CT and 1298AC genotypes (P=0.001, P=0.002 respectively). We conclude that both MTHFR 677TT and 1298CC polymorphisms have been associated with risk of CML and both 677CT and 1298AC genotypes are associated with higher risk of resistant to therapy.

MTHFR A1298C and C677T gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic myeloid leukemia in Egypt

PubMed Central

Aly, Rabab M; Taalab, Mona M; Ghazy, Hayam F

2014-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme regulating the intracellular folate metabolism which plays an important role in carcinogenesis through DNA methylation. We aimed to evaluate the association between MTHFR A1298C and C677T polymorphisms and the risks of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Eighty-five patients with CML and a control group containing 100 healthy, age and sex matched individuals were examined for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length (PCR-RFLP) method. The frequency of 677TT genotype in patients with CML was significantly higher compared to controls (OR = 2.513, 95% CI: 0.722-4.086, P = 0.025). No such association was shown for heterozygous 677CT (OR = 1.010, 95% CI: 0.460-2.218, P = 0.981). Moreover, for A1298C genotype, a statistically significant higher frequency of 1298CC was also detected in CML patients compared to control group (OR = 1.1816, 95% CI: 0.952-3.573, P = 0.036), 0.036). No such statistical significance was demonstrable for heterozygote 1298AC (OR = 1.046, 95% CI: 0.740-1.759, P = 0.092). In addition, patients with joint 677CT/1298AC or 677TT/1298CC genotypes showed an association with increased risk of CML (OR = 1.849, 95% CI: 0.935-2.540, P = 0.024; OR = 1.915, 95% CI: 1.202-3.845, P = 0.020 respectively). .A statistically significant increased risk of resistant to therapy was observed with 677CT and 1298AC genotypes (P = 0.001, P = 0.002 respectively). We conclude that both MTHFR 677TT and 1298CC polymorphisms have been associated with risk of CML and both 677CT and 1298AC genotypes are associated with higher risk of resistant to therapy. PMID:24966971

Association between MTHFR C677T Polymorphism and Risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Meta-Analysis Based on 51 Case-Control Studies

PubMed Central

Li, Su-yi; Ye, Jie-yu; Liang, En-yu; Zhou, Li-xia; Yang, Mo

2015-01-01

Background Studies and systematic reviews have reached inconsistent conclusions on the role of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism C677T in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk. Material/Methods The present meta-analysis comprising of 51 case-control studies, including 7892 cases and 14 280 controls was performed to reevaluate the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ALL risk. Results Statistical differences were found in the dominant model (TT+CT vs. CC, odd ratio (OR)=0.89, 95% CI, 0.79–1.00, P=0.04) and the CT vs. CC (OR=0.89, 95% CI, 0.80–1.00, P=0.05), but not in the allele contrast model (T vs. C, OR=0.92, 95% CI, 0.84–1.01, P=0.08), additive model (TT vs. CC, OR=0.87, 95% CI, 0.73–1.05, P=0.15), or recessive model (TT vs. CT+CC, OR=0.94, 95% CI, 0.81–1.10, P=0.44) in overall populations. In the subgroup analyses stratified by age (children and adults) and ethnicity (Asian and Caucasian), no significant associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ALL risk were observed. Conclusions The current study found no sufficient evidence of a protective role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in ALL susceptibility. PMID:25761797

Prediction of Methotrexate Clinical Response in Portuguese Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Implication of MTHFR rs1801133 and ATIC rs4673993 Polymorphisms

PubMed Central

Lima, Aurea; Monteiro, Joaquim; Bernardes, Miguel; Sousa, Hugo; Azevedo, Rita; Seabra, Vitor; Medeiros, Rui

2014-01-01

Objective. Methotrexate (MTX), the most used drug in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, showing variability in clinical response, is often associated with genetic polymorphisms. This study aimed to elucidate the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and aminoimidazole carboxamide adenosine ribonucleotide transformylase (ATIC) T675C polymorphisms and clinicopathological variables in clinical response to MTX in Portuguese RA patients. Methods. Study included 233 RA patients treated with MTX for at least six months. MTHFR C677T and ATIC T675C polymorphisms were genotyped and clinicopathological variables were collected. Statistical analyses were performed and binary logistic regression method adjusted to possible confounding variables. Results. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that MTHFR 677TT (OR = 4.63; P = 0.013) and ATIC 675T carriers (OR = 5.16; P = 0.013) were associated with over 4-fold increased risk for nonresponse. For clinicopathological variables, noncurrent smokers (OR = 7.98; P = 0.001), patients positive to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (OR = 3.53; P = 0.004) and antinuclear antibodies (OR = 2.28; P = 0.045), with higher health assessment questionnaire score (OR = 2.42; P = 0.007), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users (OR = 2.77; P = 0.018) were also associated with nonresponse. Contrarily, subcutaneous administration route (OR = 0.11; P < 0.001) was associated with response. Conclusion. Our study suggests that MTHFR C677T and ATIC T675C genotyping combined with clinicopathological data may help to identify patients whom will not benefit from MTX treatment and, therefore, assist clinicians in personalizing RA treatment. PMID:24967362

Association of methylenetetrahytrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with the susceptibility of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in Chinese population

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahytrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods A case–control study was conducted among 98 children with ALL and 93 age- and sex- matched non-ALL controls. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The odds ratios (ORs) of MTHFR genotypes were used to assess the associations of these polymorphisms with childhood ALL susceptibility. Results No significant differences were observed for frequencies of the 677CC, 677CT and 677TT genotypes between patients and controls. Frequencies of the 1298AA, 1298 AC and 1298CC genotypes between the two groups were significantly different. The risk of ALL with the 1298C allele carriers (AC + CC) was elevated by 1.1 times compared with the AA genotype [OR = 2.100; 95% CI (1.149; 3.837); P = 0.015]. Conclusions The MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to childhood ALL in the Chinese population. PMID:24476575

Association of methylenetetrahytrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with the susceptibility of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in Chinese population.

PubMed

Li, Xiaolei; Liao, Qingchuan; Zhang, Shunguo; Chen, Minling

2014-01-29

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahytrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A case-control study was conducted among 98 children with ALL and 93 age- and sex- matched non-ALL controls. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The odds ratios (ORs) of MTHFR genotypes were used to assess the associations of these polymorphisms with childhood ALL susceptibility. No significant differences were observed for frequencies of the 677CC, 677CT and 677TT genotypes between patients and controls. Frequencies of the 1298AA, 1298 AC and 1298CC genotypes between the two groups were significantly different. The risk of ALL with the 1298C allele carriers (AC + CC) was elevated by 1.1 times compared with the AA genotype [OR = 2.100; 95% CI (1.149; 3.837); P = 0.015]. The MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to childhood ALL in the Chinese population.

MTHFR (C677T) polymorphism and PR (PROGINS) mutation as genetic factors for preterm delivery, fetal death and low birth weight: A Northeast Indian population based study.

PubMed

Tiwari, Diptika; Bose, Purabi Deka; Das, Somdatta; Das, Chandana Ray; Datta, Ratul; Bose, Sujoy

2015-02-01

Preterm delivery (PTD) is one of the most significant contributors to neonatal mortality, morbidity, and long-term adverse consequences for health; with highest prevalence reported from India. The incidence of PTD is alarmingly very high in Northeast India. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the associative role of MTHFR gene polymorphism and progesterone receptor (PR) gene mutation (PROGINS) in susceptibility to PTD, negative pregnancy outcome and low birth weights (LBW) in Northeast Indian population. A total of 209 PTD cases {extreme preterm (< 28 weeks of gestation, n = 22), very preterm (28-32 weeks of gestation, n = 43) and moderate preterm (32-37 weeks of gestation, n = 144) and 194 term delivery cases were studied for MTHFR C677T polymorphism and PR (PROGINS) gene mutation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Distribution of MTHFR and PR mutation was higher in PTD cases. Presence of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was significantly associated and resulted in the increased risk of PTD (p < 0.001), negative pregnancy outcome (p < 0.001) and LBW (p = 0.001); more significantly in extreme and very preterm cases. Presence of PR mutation (PROGINS) also resulted in increased risk of PTD and negative pregnancy outcome; but importantly was found to increase the risk of LBW significantly in case of very preterm (p < 0.001) and moderately preterm (p < 0.001) delivery cases. Both MTHFR C677T polymorphism and PR (PROGINS) mutation are evident genetic risk factors associated with the susceptibility of PTD, negative pregnancy outcome and LBW. MTHFR C677T may be used as a prognostic marker to stratify subpopulation of pregnancy cases predisposed to PTD; thereby controlling the risks associated with PTD.

MTHFR GENE C677T POLYMORPHISM AND LEVELS OF DNA METHYLTRASFERASES IN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM.

PubMed

Kvaratskhelia, T; Kvaratskhelia, E; Kankava, K; Abzianidze, E

2017-04-01

The aim of our study was to investigate the link between MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism and DNMTs levels in patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH). In this study 19 adult patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 19 healthy controls (mean age 31±5.5 and 33±5.1 years respectively) were recruited. All patients were diagnosed based on serum levels of TSH, FT4, anti-TG and anti-TPO antibodies. Written informed consents were obtained from all study subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted using Quick-DNA Universal Kit (Zymo Research, USA). The MTHFR C677T polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-RFLP method. Levels of DNMT1 and 3a were measured in nuclear extracts of PBMC using DNMTs assay kits (Abcam). Our data indicates that the frequency of genotypes and alleles were different among the patient and the control group. There is a significant increase in CC genotype distribution in the control group when compared to the SCH patient group, while the CT as well as TT genotype distribution were not increased significantly in SCH group versus control group. However the C allele is significantly prevalent in the control group compared to the SCH group, while T allele is prevalent in patients compared to the control group with a statically significant difference. In addition, individuals with TT and CT genotypes and hypothyroidism showed elevated amount of DNMT3a in nuclear extracts of PBMC compared with controls, while no significant difference in DNMT1 levels was observed. This study indicates the MTHFR C677T variant may contribute in alteration of epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation mediated by DNA methyltransferases in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and also, carriers of the T allele might have an increasing risk of developing SCH.

Mexican Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Pilot Study of the MDR1 and MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms and Their Associations with Clinical Outcomes.

PubMed

Ramírez-Pacheco, Arturo; Moreno-Guerrero, Selene; Alamillo, Ilse; Medina-Sanson, Aurora; Lopez, Briseida; Moreno-Galván, Monica

2016-10-01

Genetic polymorphisms in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may influence the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the importance of the transport P-glycoprotein and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in the metabolism of chemotherapeutic agents, we analyzed the MDR1 rs1045642 and MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphisms and their associations with clinical outcomes in Mexican childhood ALL patients. A total of 109 patients participated in this study. The clinical evaluation consisted of a physical examination and a laboratory test. Genotyping of MDR1 rs1045642 (3435 C>T) and MTHFR rs1801133 (677 C>T) was performed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 14.0. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by logistic regression. Individuals who were CC homozygotes at MDR1 rs1045642 had lower risk of having methotrexate plasma concentrations >1 μM and leukopenia grade I (odds ratio [OR] = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.13-0.72 and OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.14-0.72, respectively). Patients who were CC homozygotes at MTHFR rs1801133 had a higher risk of developing mucositis (OR = 3.61; 95% CI = 1.42-9.14). MDR1 rs1045642 and MTHFR rs1801133 should be considered as diagnostic candidates for the identification of pediatric patients with a high risk of suffering adverse events during ALL treatment.

Childhood Abuse Experiences and the COMT and MTHFR Genetic Variants Associated With Male Sexual Orientation in the Han Chinese Populations: A Case-Control Study.

PubMed

Qin, Jia-Bi; Zhao, Guang-Lu; Wang, Feng; Cai, Yu-Mao; Lan, Li-Na; Yang, Lin; Feng, Tie-Jian

2018-01-01

Although it is widely acknowledged that genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of male homosexuality, the causes are not fully understood. To explore the association and interaction of childhood abuse experiences and genetic variants of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes with the development of male homosexuality. A case-control study of 537 exclusively homosexual men and 583 exclusively heterosexual men was conducted, with data collected from March 2013 to August 2015. Data were analyzed using χ 2 tests and logistic regression models. Sociodemographic characteristics, childhood abuse experiences, and polymorphisms of COMT at rs4680, rs4818, and rs6267 and MTHFR at rs1801133. More frequent occurrence of physical (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.78), emotional (aOR = 2.07), and sexual (aOR = 2.53) abuse during childhood was significantly associated with the development of male homosexuality. The polymorphisms of MTHFR at rs1801133 and COMT at rs4818 also were significantly associated with the development of male homosexuality in the homozygote comparisons (T/T vs C/C at rs1801133, aOR = 1.68; G/G vs C/C at rs4818, aOR = 1.75). In addition, significant interaction effects between childhood abuse experiences and the COMT and MTHFR genetic variants on the development of male homosexuality were found. This is the first time that an association of childhood abuse, COMT and MTHFR genetic variants, and their interactions with development of male homosexuality was exhaustively explored, which could help provide new insight into the etiology of male homosexuality. Because homosexual men are a relatively obscure population, it was impossible to select the study participants by random sampling, which could lead to selection bias. In addition, because this was a case-control study, recall bias was inevitable, and we could not verify causality. Childhood abuse and the COMT and MTHFR genetic

MAOA, MTHFR, and TNF-β genes polymorphisms and personality traits in the pathogenesis of migraine.

PubMed

Ishii, Masakazu; Shimizu, Shunichi; Sakairi, Yuki; Nagamine, Ayumu; Naito, Yuika; Hosaka, Yukiko; Naito, Yuko; Kurihara, Tatsuya; Onaya, Tomomi; Oyamada, Hideto; Imagawa, Atsuko; Shida, Kenji; Takahashi, Johji; Oguchi, Katsuji; Masuda, Yutaka; Hara, Hajime; Usami, Shino; Kiuchi, Yuji

2012-04-01

Migraine is a multifactorial disease with various factors, such as genetic polymorphisms and personality traits, but the contribution of those factors is not clear. To clarify the pathogenesis of migraine, the contributions of genetic polymorphisms and personality traits were simultaneously investigated using multivariate analysis. Ninety-one migraine patients and 119 non-headache healthy volunteers were enrolled. The 12 gene polymorphisms analysis and NEO-FFI personality test were performed. At first, the univariate analysis was performed to extract the contributing factors to pathogenesis of migraine. We then extracted the factors that independently contributed to the pathogenesis of migraine using multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Using the multivariate analysis, three gene polymorphisms including monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) T941G, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, and tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β) G252Α, and the neuroticism and conscientiousness scores in NEO-FFI were selected as significant factors that independently contributed to the pathogenesis of migraine. Their odds ratios were 1.099 (per point of neuroticism score), 1.080 (per point of conscientiousness score), 2.272 (T and T/T or T/G vs G and G/G genotype of MAOA), 1.939 (C/T or T/T vs C/C genotype of MTHFR), and 2.748 (G/A or A/A vs G/G genotype of TNF-β), respectively. We suggested that multiple factors, such as gene polymorphisms and personality traits, contribute to the pathogenesis of migraine. The contribution of polymorphisms, such as MAOA T941G, MTHFR C677T, and TNF-β G252A, were more important than personality traits in the pathogenesis of migraine, a multifactorial disorder.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G and the MTHFR 677C/T polymorphisms and susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Lee, Young Ho; Song, Gwan Gyu

2014-04-01

The aim of this study was to explore whether the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C/T polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the association between the PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR 677C/T polymorphisms and PCOS using: (1) allele contrast (2) homozygote contrast, (3) recessive, and (4) dominant models. For meta-analysis, nine studies of the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism with 2384 subjects (PCOS, 1615; controls, 769) and eight studies of the MTHFR 677C/T polymorphism with 1270 study subjects were included. Meta-analysis of all study subjects showed no association between PCOS and the PAI-1 4G allele (OR=0.949, 95% CI=0.671-1.343, p=0.767). Stratification by ethnicity, however, indicated a significant association between the PAI-1 4G allele and PCOS in Turkish and Asian populations (OR=0.776, 95% CI=0.602-0.999, p=0.049; OR=1.749, 95% CI=1.297-2.359, p=2.5×10(-5) respectively). In addition, meta-analysis indicated an association between PCOS and the PAI-1 4G4G+4G5G genotype in Europeans (OR=1.406, 95% CI=1.025-1.928, p=0.035). However, meta-analysis of all study subjects showed no association between PCOS and the MTHFR 677T allele (OR=0.998, 95% CI=0.762-1.307, p=0.989), including Europeans (OR=0.806, 95% CI=0.610-1.063, p=0.126). Meta-analysis showed no association between PCOS and the MTHFR 677C/T polymorphism using homozygote contrast, and recessive and dominant models. In conclusion, meta-analysis suggests the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to PCOS in European, Turkish, and Asian populations, but the MTHFR 677C/T polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to PCOS in Europeans. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using GenBank.

PubMed

Wheeler, David

2007-01-01

GenBank(R) is a comprehensive database of publicly available DNA sequences for more than 205,000 named organisms and for more than 60,000 within the embryophyta, obtained through submissions from individual laboratories and batch submissions from large-scale sequencing projects. Daily data exchange with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Europe and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is accessible through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) retrieval system, Entrez, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure, and domain information and the biomedical journal literature through PubMed. BLAST provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases. Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are available through FTP. GenBank usage scenarios ranging from local analyses of the data available through FTP to online analyses supported by the NCBI Web-based tools are discussed. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis services, go to the NCBI Homepage at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Evidence of Paternal N5, N10 - Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T Gene Polymorphism in Couples with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions (RSAs) in Kolar District- A South West of India

PubMed Central

Vanilla, Shiny; Kotur, Pushpa F; Kutty, Moideen A; Vegi, Pradeep Kumar

2015-01-01

Introduction: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a multifactorial clinical obstetrics complication commonly occurring in pregnancy. Many research studies have noted the mutations such as C677T in N5, N10 - Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)gene which is regarded as RSA risk factor. This study was carried out to determine the occurrence of frequency of C677T of the MTHFR gene mutations with RSA. Aim: The purpose of present study is to determine the frequency of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss and the impact of paternal polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T in recurrent pregnancy loss in population of couples living in Kolar district of Karnataka with RSA. Design: A total of 15 couples with a history of two or more unexplained RSA were enrolled as subjects in the study and a total of 15 couples with normal reproductive history, having two or more children and no history of miscarriages were enrolled as controls. Materials and Methods: DNA extraction from samples case and control group couples and its quantification by Agarose gel electrophoresis, assessment of DNA purity, MTHFR C 677T gene mutation detection by PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analysis: Carried out by web based online SPSS tool. Results: The frequency of C677T genotype showed homozygous wild type CC (80%), heterozygous CT type (13.3%) and homozygous mutation TT type (6.67%) observed in males. Similarly from female’s homozygous wild type CC (86.6%), heterozygous type (13.3%), and homozygous type mutations TT (0%) was recorded. In couple control groups, we observed homozygous wild type CC (86.6%), heterozygous CT type (13.3%) and homozygous type mutations TT type (0%). Conclusion: We noticed a high frequency of MTHFR specifically T allele associated with paternal side.Therefore, the present study indicated the impact of paternal gene polymorphism of MTHFR C677T on screening in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss. PMID:25859445

Contribution of the MTHFR gene to the causal pathway for depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment in later life.

PubMed

Almeida, Osvaldo P; Flicker, Leon; Lautenschlager, Nicola T; Leedman, Peter; Vasikaran, Samuel; van Bockxmeer, Frank M

2005-02-01

Homocysteine (Hcy) is harmful to neurons and blood vessels, including the cerebral microvasculature. It is possible that such effects contribute to the cascade of events that leads to cognitive decline, dementia, and depression in later life. Hcy is produced during the metabolism of the essential amino-acid methionine, which also involves a methyl group transfer derived from folate and choline metabolism. Its plasma level can be influenced by factors such as age, vitamin deficiency, renal function, and a common mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, where cytosine is replaced by thymidine (C-->T) at nucleotide position 677. Subjects with the TT genotype have higher homocysteine levels and may be particularly prone to experiencing depression as a result of high plasma Hcy and dysfunction of methylation metabolic pathways critical to the synthesis of noradrenaline and serotonin. We designed the present study to investigate whether older women with the TT genotype would have higher depression and lower cognitive scores than women with CT and CC genotypes. A total of 240 community-dwelling women aged 70 years or over volunteered to take part in the study - 29 carried the TT genotype, 113 the CT and 98 the CC genotype. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score for subjects with the TT genotype was statistically similar to the other groups (P = 0.609). Plasma Hcy showed a modest and significant correlation with BDI scores (r = 0.21) that was independent from age, B12 and folate levels. There was no association between beck anxiety inventory (BAI) scores and MTHFR genotype or homocysteine levels. The cognitive assessment of participants included measures of verbal memory, memory for faces, verbal fluency, visuo-spatial abilities and the cognitive section of the Cambridge Examination For Mental Disorders Of The Elderly (CAMCOG)-MTHFR genotype had no clear association with cognitive scores. These results indicate that, in isolation, the MTHFR C677

Thrombophilic genetic factors PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT as risk factors of alcohol, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis, in a Caucasian population.

PubMed

D'Amico, Mario; Pasta, Francesca; Pasta, Linda

2015-08-15

The thrombophilic genetic factors (THRGFs), PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR 677TT, V Leiden 506Q and Prothrombin 20210A, were studied as risk factors in 865 Caucasian patients with liver cirrhosis, consecutively enrolled from June 2008 to January 2014. A total of 582 HCV, 80 HBV, 94 alcohol, (82 with more than one etiologic factor) and 191 cryptogenic patients with liver cirrhosis had been consecutively enrolled; 243 patients showed portal vein thrombosis (PVT). At least one of the above THRGFs was present in 339/865 patients (39.2%). PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT were the most frequent THRGFs, statistically significant in patients with alcohol, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, and PVT: respectively 24 and 28, 50 and 73, and 65 and 83 (all chi-square tests>3.84, and p values<0.05). Two logistic regression analysis, using PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT, as dependent variable, confirmed the independent significant relationship of these THRGFs with alcohol, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and PVT. PAI 1 and MTHFR 677 genotypes, deviated from those expected in populations in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (all p values<0.05), in the subgroups of patients with alcohol, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and presence of PVT. Our study shows the pivotal role of PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT in patients with alcohol, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, and PVT, in a Caucasian population. In conclusion, thrombo and fibro-genetic mechanisms of PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT, could have a role in the development of liver cirrhosis, mainly in patients without HCV and HBV, and PVT. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The association between MTHFR 677C>T genotype and folate status and genomic and gene-specific DNA methylation in the colon of individuals without colorectal neoplasia.

PubMed

Hanks, Joanna; Ayed, Iyeman; Kukreja, Neil; Rogers, Chris; Harris, Jessica; Gheorghiu, Alina; Liu, Chee Ling; Emery, Peter; Pufulete, Maria

2013-12-01

Decreased genomic and increased gene-specific DNA methylation predispose to colorectal cancer. Dietary folate intake and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism (MTHFR 677C>T) may influence risk by modifying DNA methylation. We investigated the associations between MTHFR 677C>T genotype, folate status, and DNA methylation in the colon. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 336 men and women (age 19-92 y) in the United Kingdom without colorectal neoplasia. We obtained blood samples for measurement of serum and red blood cell folate, plasma homocysteine, and MTHFR 677C>T genotype and colonic tissue biopsies for measurement of colonic tissue folate and DNA methylation (genomic- and gene-specific, estrogen receptor 1, ESR1; myoblast determination protein 1, MYOD1; insulin-like growth factor II, IGF2; tumor suppressor candidate 33, N33; adenomatous polyposis coli, APC; mut-L homolog 1, MLH1; and O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, MGMT) by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and pyrosequencing, respectively. Of the 336 subjects recruited, 185 (55%) carried the CC, 119 (35%) the CT, and 32 (10%) the TT alleles. No significant differences in systemic markers of folate status and colonic tissue folate between genotypes were found. The MTHFR TT genotype was not associated with genomic or gene-specific DNA methylation. Biomarkers of folate status were not associated with genomic DNA methylation. Relations between biomarkers of folate status and gene-specific methylation were inconsistent. However, low serum folate was associated with high MGMT methylation (P = 0.001). MTHFR 677C>T genotype and folate status were generally not associated with DNA methylation in the colon of a folate-replete population without neoplasia.

Combined genotype and haplotype distributions of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms

PubMed Central

Fan, Shujun; Yang, Boyi; Zhi, Xueyuan; Wang, Yanxun; Zheng, Quanmei; Sun, Guifan

2016-01-01

Abstract Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are, independently and/or in combination, associated with many disorders. However, data on the combined genotype and haplotype distributions of the 2 polymorphisms in Chinese population were limited. We recruited 13,473 adult women from 9 Chinese provinces, collected buccal cell samples, and determined genotypes, to estimate the combined genotype and haplotype distributions of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. In the total sample, the 6 common combined genotypes were CT/AA (29.5%), TT/AA (21.9%), CC/AA (15.4%), CC/AC (14.9%), CT/AC (13.7%), and CC/CC (3.4%); the 3 frequent haplotypes were 677T-1298A (43.6%), 677C-1298A (37.9%), and 677C-1298C (17.6%). Importantly, we observed that there were 51 (0.4%) individuals with the CT/CC genotype, 92 (0.7%) with the TT/AC genotype, 17 (0.1%) with the TT/CC genotype, and that the frequency of the 677T-1298C haplotype was 0.9%. In addition, the prevalence of some combined genotypes and haplotypes varied among populations residing in different areas and even showed apparent geographical gradients. Further linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the D’ and r2 values were 0.883 and 0.143, respectively. In summary, the findings of our study provide further strong evidence that the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are usually in trans and occasionally in cis configurations. The frequencies of mutant genotype combinations were relatively higher in Chinese population than other populations, and showed geographical variations. These baseline data would be useful for future related studies and for developing health management programs. PMID:27902594

Association of MTHFR and PPARγ2 gene polymorphisms in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus cases among north Indian population.

PubMed

Raza, Syed Tasleem; Abbas, Shania; Ahmed, Faisal; Fatima, Jalees; Zaidi, Zeashan Haider; Mahdi, Farzana

2012-12-15

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial and polygenic disease, which is considered as a major life threatening problem all over the world. There has been a worldwide effort in the identification of susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. At present, adequate data is not available dealing with MTHFR (rs1801133) and PPARγ2 (rs1801282) gene polymorphisms and its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus cases among north Indian populations. Thus, we conceived the need for further studies to investigate MTHFR and PPARγ2 gene polymorphisms and their susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in north Indian population. In this study, a total 175 subjects including 87 type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and 88 controls were enrolled. MTHFR and PPARγ2 gene polymorphisms in the cases and controls were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The MTHFR gene CC, CT, TT genotype frequencies obtained were 40%, 43%, and 17% in type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and 56%, 29%, and 15% in healthy controls respectively. The OR for CC was 0.54 (95%CI 0.29-0.98, P=0.041, χ(2)=4.18, power=0.98), for CT 1.76 (95%CI 0.94-3.30, P=0.07, χ(2)=3.2, power=0.96), and for TT 1.2 (95%CI 0.53-2.70, P=0.66, χ(2)=0.198, power=0.76). The PPARγ2 gene GG CG, CC genotype frequencies obtained were 28%, 41%, and 31% in cases and 40%, 39%, and 21% in healthy controls respectively. OR for GG was 0.58 (95%CI 0.30-1.09, P=0.08, χ(2)=2.9, power=0.96), for CG 1.12 (95%CI 0.61-2.05, P=0.71, χ(2)=0.137, power=0.778), and for CC 1.63 (95%CI 0.82-3.23, P=0.156, χ(2)=2.01, power=0.92). It might be recommended that MTHFR CC genotype seems to be a good marker for the early identification of population at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. While we have detected significant difference in allelic frequencies of PPARγ2 C (Proline) and G (Alanine), but at genotypic level significant difference was not detected in this case

[Association of folate metabolism genes MTRR and MTHFR with complex congenital abnormalities among Chinese population in Shanxi Province, China].

PubMed

Zhang, Qin; Bai, Bao-Ling; Liu, Xiao-Zhen; Miao, Chun-Yue; Li, Hui-Li

2014-08-01

To explore the association of polymorphisms in folate metabolism genes, methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, with complex congenital abnormalities and to further investigate its association with complex congenital abnormalities derived from three germ layers. A total of 250 cases of birth defects (with complex congenital abnormalities including congenital heart disease, neural tube defects, and craniofacial anomalies) in Shanxi Province, China were included in the study. MTRR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1801394) and MTHFR SNP (rs1801133) were genotyped by the SNaPshot method, and the genotyping results were compared with those of controls (n=420). SNPs rs1801394 and rs1801133 were associated with multiple birth defects. For the recessive model, individuals with GG genotype at rs1801394 and CC genotype at rs1801133 had a relatively low risk of developing birth defects, so the two genotypes were protective factors against birth defects. The homozygous recessive genotype at rs1801133, which served as a protective factor, was associated with ectoderm- or endoderm-derived complex congenital abnormalities, while the homozygous recessive genotype at rs1801394, which served as a protective factor, was associated with ectoderm-, mesoderm- or endoderm-derived complex congenital abnormalities. Among the Chinese population in Shanxi Province, the SNPs in folate metabolism genes (MTRR and MTHFR) are associated with complex congenital abnormalities and related to ectoderm, mesoderm or endoderm development.

Role of treatment-modifying MTHFR677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms in metformin-treated Puerto Rican patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

PubMed

Jiménez-Ramírez, Francisco J; Castro, Liza M; Ortiz, Clarymar; Concepción, Jennifer; Renta, Jessicca Y; Morales-Borges, Raúl H; Miranda-Massari, Jorge R; Duconge, Jorge

2017-03-01

The study was conducted to investigate potential association between MTHFR genotypes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in Puerto Ricans with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. The prevalence of major MTHFR polymorphisms in this cohort was also ascertained. DNAs from 89 metformin-treated patients with T2DM and DPN were genotyped using the PCR-based RFLP assay for MTHFR677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms. Frequency distributions of these variants in the study cohort were compared to those reported for three reference populations (HapMap project) and controls (400 newborn specimens). Chi-square (or Fischer's exact) tests and odds ratios (OR) were used to assess association with DPN susceptibility risk (patients vs. controls) and biochemical markers (wild types vs. carriers). Sixty-seven percent (67%) of participants carry at least one of these MTHFR polymorphisms. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected. The genotype and allele frequencies showed statistically significant differences between participants and controls (p<0.0001 and p=0.03, respectively). Results suggest that 1298A>C but not 677C>T is associated with DPN susceptibility in this cohort (p=0.018). Different patterns of allelic dissimilarities are observed when comparing our cohort vs. the three parental ancestries. After sorting individuals by their carrier status, no significant associations were observed between these genetic variants (independently or combined) and any of the biochemical markers (HbA1c, folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine). Prevalence of major MTHFR variants in Puerto Rican patients with T2DM is first time ever reported. The study provides further evidence on the use of this genetic marker as an independent risk factor for DPN.

MTHFR genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of chronic myelogenous leukemia in adults: a meta-analysis of 12 genetic association studies.

PubMed

Li, Bin; Zhang, Jian; Wang, Lei; Li, Yan; Jin, Juping; Ai, Limei; Li, Chong; Li, Zhe; Mao, Shudan

2014-05-01

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a complex disease with a genetic basis. The genetic association studies (GASs) that have investigated the association between adult CML and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms have produced contradictory and inconclusive results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to provide a relatively comprehensive assessment of the association of these polymorphisms with adult CML risk. A literature search for eligible GAS published before September 15, 2013 was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the association under a fixed or random effect model according to heterogeneity test results. All analyses were performed using the Stata software, version 12.0. Twelve case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 932 CML patients and 3,465 healthy controls. For MTHFR C677T (dbSNP: rs1801133, C>T), though the pooled ORs were not significant in the overall population, all the ORs greater than 1 suggested an increased risk of CML for carriers of the risk allele. However, stratified analysis based on genotyping method revealed a significant association in the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) subgroup, possibly as a result of heterogeneity. For MTHFR A1298C (dbSNP: rs1801131, A>C), the combined results showed that carriers of the C allele may be associated with a decreased risk of adult CML. Stratified analysis showed that the magnitude of this effect was especially significant among Asians, indicating ethnicity differences in adult CML susceptibility. This meta-analysis shows that the C allele of MTHFR A1298C may be associated with a decreased risk in adult CML, especially among Asians, while MTHFR C677T may not be associated with adult CML risk. However

Association of the MTHFR 1298A>C (rs1801131) polymorphism with speed and strength sports in Russian and Polish athletes.

PubMed

Zarebska, Aleksandra; Ahmetov, Ildus I; Sawczyn, Stanislaw; Weiner, Alexandra S; Kaczmarczyk, Mariusz; Ficek, Krzysztof; Maciejewska-Karlowska, Agnieszka; Sawczuk, Marek; Leonska-Duniec, Agata; Klocek, Tomasz; Voronina, Elena N; Boyarskikh, Uljana A; Filipenko, Maksim L; Cieszczyk, Pawel

2014-01-01

It has been suggested that DNA hypomethylation because of poorer effectiveness of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme induces muscular growth. We hypothesised that the common, functional 1298A>C polymorphism in the MTHFR gene is associated with athletic status. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the distribution of the 1298A>C variant in Polish (n = 302) and Russian (n = 842) athletes divided into four groups: endurance, strength-endurance, sprint-strength and strength-endurance, as well as in 1540 control participants. We found different genotypes (the AC heterozygote advantage) and allele distributions among sprint-strength athletes and strength athletes than the groups of sedentary controls for each nationality. In the combined study, the allelic frequencies for the 1298C variant were 35.6% in sprint-strength athletes (OR 1.18 [1.02-1.36], P = 0.024 vs. controls) and 38.6% in strength athletes (OR 1.34 [1.10-1.64], P = 0.003 vs. controls). The results of the initial and repetition studies as well as the combined analysis suggest that the functional 1298A>C polymorphism in the MTHFR gene is associated with athletic status. The presence of the C allele seems to be beneficial in sprint-strength and strength athletes. It needs to be established whether and to what extent this effect is mediated by alteration in DNA methylation status.

Additive Interaction of MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G Polymorphisms with Being Overweight/Obesity on the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

PubMed

Zhi, Xueyuan; Yang, Boyi; Fan, Shujun; Li, Yongfang; He, Miao; Wang, Da; Wang, Yanxun; Wei, Jian; Zheng, Quanmei; Sun, Guifan

2016-12-15

Although both methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) C677T and methionine synthase reductase ( MTRR ) A66G polymorphisms have been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), their interactions with being overweight/obesity on T2D risk remain unclear. To evaluate the associations of the two polymorphisms with T2D and their interactions with being overweight/obesity on T2D risk, a case-control study of 180 T2D patients and 350 healthy controls was conducted in northern China. Additive interaction was estimated using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) and synergy index (S). After adjustments for age and gender, borderline significant associations of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G polymorphisms with T2D were observed under recessive (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.98-2.10) and dominant (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.00-2.06) models, respectively. There was a significant interaction between the MTHFR 677TT genotype and being overweight/obesity on T2D risk (AP = 0.404, 95% CI: 0.047-0.761), in addition to the MTRR 66AG/GG genotypes (RERI = 1.703, 95% CI: 0.401-3.004; AP = 0.528, 95% CI: 0.223-0.834). Our findings suggest that individuals with the MTHFR 677TT or MTRR 66AG/GG genotypes are more susceptible to the detrimental effect of being overweight/obesity on T2D. Further large-scale studies are still needed to confirm our findings.

Role of treatment-modifying MTHFR677C>T and 1298A > C polymorphisms in metformin-treated Puerto Rican patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy

PubMed Central

Jiménez-Ramírez, Francisco J.; Castro, Liza M.; Ortiz, Clarymar; Concepción, Jennifer; Renta, Jessicca Y.; Morales-Borges, Raúl H.; Miranda-Massari, Jorge R.; Duconge, Jorge

2017-01-01

Background The study was conducted to investigate potential association between MTHFR genotypes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in Puerto Ricans with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. The prevalence of major MTHFR polymorphisms in this cohort was also ascertained. Methods DNAs from 89 metformin-treated patients with T2DM and DPN were genotyped using the PCR-based RFLP assay for MTHFR677C > T and 1298A > C polymorphisms. Frequency distributions of these variants in the study cohort were compared to those reported for three reference populations (HapMap project) and controls (400 newborn specimens). Chi-square (or Fischer’s exact) tests and odds ratios (OR) were used to assess association with DPN susceptibility risk (patients vs. controls) and biochemical markers (wild types vs. carriers). Results Sixty-seven percent (67%) of participants carry at least one of these MTHFR polymorphisms. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected. The genotype and allele frequencies showed statistically significant differences between participants and controls (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.03, respectively). Results suggest that 1298A > C but not 677C > T is associated with DPN susceptibility in this cohort (p = 0.018). Different patterns of allelic dissimilarities are observed when comparing our cohort vs. the three parental ancestries. After sorting individuals by their carrier status, no significant associations were observed between these genetic variants (independently or combined) and any of the biochemical markers (HbA1c, folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine). Conclusions Prevalence of major MTHFR variants in Puerto Rican patients with T2DM is first time ever reported. The study provides further evidence on the use of this genetic marker as an independent risk factor for DPN. PMID:28231061

Correlations of MTHFR 677C>T Polymorphism with Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Gao, Xian-Hui; Zhang, Guo-Yi; Wang, Ying; Zhang, Hui-Ying

2014-01-01

Objective This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlations of a common polymorphism (677C>T) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Method The following electronic databases were searched without language restrictions: Web of Science (1945∼2013), the Cochrane Library Database (Issue 12, 2013), MEDLINE (1966∼2013), EMBASE (1980∼2013), CINAHL (1982∼2013) and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1982∼2013). Meta-analysis was performed using STATA statistical software. Odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated. Results Eight cohort studies met all inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 2,292 ESRD patients with CVD were involved in this meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis results revealed that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism might increase the risk of CVD in ESRD patients (TT vs. CC: OR = 2.75, 95%CI = 1.35∼5.59, P = 0.005; CT+TT vs. CC: OR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.09∼1.78, P = 0.008; TT vs. CC+CT: OR = 2.52, 95%CI = 1.25∼5.09, P = 0.010; respectively). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was associated with an elevated risk for CVD in ESRD patients among Asians (TT vs. CC: OR = 3.38, 95%CI = 1.11∼10.28, P = 0.032; CT+TT vs. CC: OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.05∼1.97, P = 0.022; TT vs. CC+CT: OR = 3.15, 95%CI = 1.02∼9.72, P = 0.046; respectively), but not among Africans or Caucasians (all P>0.05). Conclusion Our findings indicate that the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism may be associated with an elevated risk for CVD in ESRD patients, especially among Asians. PMID:25050994

MTHFR polymorphisms in Puerto Rican children with isolated congenital heart disease and their mothers

PubMed Central

García-Fragoso, Lourdes; García-García, Inés; Leavitt, Gloria; Renta, Jessicca; Ayala, Miguel A.; Cadilla, Carmen L.

2010-01-01

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are among the most common birth defects. There is evidence suggesting that polymorphisms in folate metabolism could alter susceptibility to CHD. The MTHFR 677TT genotype has been associated with the development of structural congenital heart malformations. The objective of this study was to identify common polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene in children with isolated CHD and their mothers. The DNA analysis for the C677T and A1298C mutations was performed. The study group included 27 mothers, 27 children with CHD, and 220 controls. The prevalence of the TT polymorphism was higher in mothers (22%) than in controls (10%). Compound heterozygosity for both polymorphisms was 3.7 times more common in children with CHD than in the newborn controls. Mothers of children with CHD were more likely to be compound heterozygotes. The higher prevalence of C677T polymorphisms in mothers of children with CHD and of compound heterozygosity for both polymorphisms suggests the possible role of folic acid in the prevention of CHD. Due to the relation of this enzyme to folate metabolism, current folate recommendations for women in childbearing age in Puerto Rico to reduce neural tube defects may need to be extended to the prevention of CHD. PMID:20657745

MTHFR polymorphisms in Puerto Rican children with isolated congenital heart disease and their mothers.

PubMed

García-Fragoso, Lourdes; García-García, Inés; Leavitt, Gloria; Renta, Jessicca; Ayala, Miguel A; Cadilla, Carmen L

2010-03-01

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are among the most common birth defects. There is evidence suggesting that polymorphisms in folate metabolism could alter susceptibility to CHD. The MTHFR 677TT genotype has been associated with the development of structural congenital heart malformations. The objective of this study was to identify common polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene in children with isolated CHD and their mothers. The DNA analysis for the C677T and A1298C mutations was performed. The study group included 27 mothers, 27 children with CHD, and 220 controls. The prevalence of the TT polymorphism was higher in mothers (22%) than in controls (10%). Compound heterozygosity for both polymorphisms was 3.7 times more common in children with CHD than in the newborn controls. Mothers of children with CHD were more likely to be compound heterozygotes. The higher prevalence of C677T polymorphisms in mothers of children with CHD and of compound heterozygosity for both polymorphisms suggests the possible role of folic acid in the prevention of CHD. Due to the relation of this enzyme to folate metabolism, current folate recommendations for women in childbearing age in Puerto Rico to reduce neural tube defects may need to be extended to the prevention of CHD.

TideGen LCOE Workbooks

DOE Data Explorer

Jarlath McEntee

2016-03-21

Workbooks showing Annualized Energy Production, Cost Breakdown Structure, Levelized Cost of Electricity for DOE Refernce Tidal Project 1) Baseline TidGen Power System 2) TidGen Power System with the application of Advanced Controls 3) Advanced TidGen Power System with several enhancements These files are provided as a zipped set. Files are linked together and must be viewed in the same folder.

Coexistence of the 677C>T and 1298A>C MTHFR polymorphisms and its significance in the population of Polish women.

PubMed

Wolski, Hubert; Kocięcka, Maria; Mrozikiewicz, Aleksandra E; Barlik, Magdalena; Kurzawińska, Grażyna

2015-10-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of the 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, as well as the coexistence of both these genetic variants in women from the Polish population. A total of 662 women from the Polish population were enrolled in the study group. The frequency of the investigated genotypes of the 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene was analyzed with the use of PCR/RFLP methods. The frequency of the 677CC, 677CT and 677TT genotypes in the studied population of women was 50.60%, 39.88% and 9.52%, respectively As to the 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC genotypes, the obtained results were as follows: 42.75%, 47.88% and 9.37%, respectively (Tables II and III). Simultaneous analysis revealed the most frequent coexistence of 677CC/1298AC (28.85%), 677CT/1298AA (20.85%) and 677CT/1298AC (19.03%) genotypes. The coexistence of 677CC/1298AA (12.39%), 677CC/1298CC (9.37%) and 677TT/1298AA (9.51%) genotypes was observed less frequently In the studied population of Polish women, the coexistence of 677CT/1298CC, 677TT/1298AC and 677TT/1298CC genotypes has been not observed. The frequency and coexistence of genotypes of the 677C>T and 1298A>C MTHFR gene polymorphisms in the studied population of Polish women is similar to other North-European populations. Women carriers of the mutated variants of both, 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene should receive special perinatal care in order to prevent fetal defects and thrombosis-related complications during pregnancy It is vital to emphasize the significance of proper education of folate supplementation, especially in pregnant patients and women of reproductive age.

Influence of Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia, B-Vitamins, and MTHFR gene polymorphisms on Perioperative Cardiac Events: The Vitamins in Nitrous Oxide (VINO) Randomized Trial

PubMed Central

Nagele, Peter; Brown, Frank; Francis, Amber; Scott, Mitchell G.; Gage, Brian F.; Miller, J. Philip

2013-01-01

Background Nitrous oxide causes an acute increase in plasma homocysteine that is more pronounced in patients with the MTHFR C677T or A1298C gene variant. In this randomized controlled trial we sought to determine if patients carrying the MTHFR C677T or A1298C variant had a higher risk for perioperative cardiac events after nitrous oxide anesthesia and if this risk could be mitigated by B-vitamins. Methods We randomized adult patients with cardiac risk factors undergoing noncardiac surgery to receive nitrous oxide plus intravenous B-vitamins before and after surgery or to nitrous oxide and placebo. Serial cardiac biomarkers and 12-lead electrocardiograms were obtained. The primary study endpoint was the incidence of myocardial injury, as defined by cardiac troponin I elevation within the first 72 hours after surgery. Results A total of 500 patients completed the trial. Patients who were homozygous for either MTHFR C677T or A1298C gene variant (n= 98; 19.6%) had no increased rate of postoperative cardiac troponin I elevation compared to wild-type and heterozygous patients (11.2% vs. 14.0%; relative risk 0.96, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.07, p=0.48). B-vitamins blunted the rise in homocysteine, but had no effect on cardiac troponin I elevation compared to patients receiving placebo (13.2% vs. 13.6%; relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.32, p=0.91). Conclusions Neither MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene variant nor acute homocysteine increase are associated with perioperative cardiac troponin elevation after nitrousoxide anesthesia. B-vitamins blunt nitrous oxide-induced homocysteine increase but have no effect on cardiac troponin elevation. PMID:23856660

The impact of MTHFR 677C → T risk knowledge on changes in folate intake: findings from the Food4Me study.

PubMed

O'Donovan, Clare B; Walsh, Marianne C; Forster, Hannah; Woolhead, Clara; Celis-Morales, Carlos; Fallaize, Rosalind; Macready, Anna L; Marsaux, Cyril F M; Navas-Carretero, Santiago; San-Cristobal, Rodrigo; Kolossa, Silvia; Mavrogianni, Christina; Lambrinou, Christina P; Moschonis, George; Godlewska, Magdalena; Surwillo, Agnieszka; Bouwman, Jildau; Grimaldi, Keith; Traczyk, Iwona; Drevon, Christian A; Daniel, Hannelore; Manios, Yannis; Martinez, J Alfredo; Saris, Wim H M; Lovegrove, Julie A; Mathers, John C; Gibney, Michael J; Brennan, Lorraine; Gibney, Eileen R

2016-01-01

It is hypothesised that individuals with knowledge of their genetic risk are more likely to make health-promoting dietary and lifestyle changes. The present study aims to test this hypothesis using data from the Food4Me study. This was a 6-month Internet-based randomised controlled trial conducted across seven centres in Europe where individuals received either general healthy eating advice or varying levels of personalised nutrition advice. Participants who received genotype-based personalised advice were informed whether they had the risk (CT/TT) ( n  = 178) or non-risk (CC) ( n  = 141) alleles of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene in relation to cardiovascular health and the importance of a sufficient intake of folate. General linear model analysis was used to assess changes in folate intake between the MTHFR risk, MTHFR non-risk and control groups from baseline to month 6 of the intervention. There were no differences between the groups for age, gender or BMI. However, there was a significant difference in country distribution between the groups ( p  = 0.010). Baseline folate intakes were 412 ± 172, 391 ± 190 and 410 ± 186 μg per 10 MJ for the risk, non-risk and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the three groups in terms of changes in folate intakes from baseline to month 6. Similarly, there were no changes in reported intake of food groups high in folate. These results suggest that knowledge of MTHFR 677C → T genotype did not improve folate intake in participants with the risk variant compared with those with the non-risk variant. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01530139.

The effect of MTHFR(C677T) genotype on plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy children is influenced by gender.

PubMed

Papoutsakis, C; Yiannakouris, N; Manios, Y; Papaconstantinou, E; Magkos, F; Schulpis, K H; Zampelas, A; Matalas, A L

2006-02-01

To explore the influence of gender, together with folate status, on the relation between the common methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in healthy children. Cross-sectional study by face-to-face interview. A total of 186 sixth-grade students participated from twelve randomly selected primary schools in Volos, Greece. Fasting tHcy, folate, and vitamin B(12) were measured in plasma. The MTHFR genotypes were determined. Anthropometric and dietary intake data by 24-h recall were collected. Geometric means for plasma tHcy, plasma folate and energy-adjusted dietary folate did not differ between females and males. The homozygous mutant TT genotype was associated with higher tHcy only in children with lower plasma folate concentrations (<19.9 nmol/l, P = 0.012). As a significant gender interaction was observed (P = 0.050), we stratified the lower plasma folate group by gender and found that the association between the genotype and tHcy was restricted to males (P = 0.026). Similar results were obtained when folate status was based on estimated dietary folate. Specifically, only TT males that reported lower dietary folate consumption (<37 microg/MJ/day) had tHcy that was significantly higher than tHcy levels of C-allele carriers (P = 0.001). Under conditions of lower folate status (as estimated by either plasma concentration or reported dietary consumption), gender modifies the association of the MTHFR(C677T) polymorphism with tHcy concentrations in healthy children. Kellog Europe.

Does the MTHFR A1298C Polymorphism Modulate the Cardiorespiratory Response to Training?

PubMed

Cięszczyk, Paweł; Zarębska, Aleksandra; Jastrzębski, Zbigniew; Sawczyn, Michał; Kozakiewicz-Drobnik, Izabela; Leońska-Duniec, Agata; Kaczmarczyk, Mariusz; Maciejewska-Skrendo, Agnieszka; Żmijewski, Piotr; Trybek, Grzegorz; Smółka, Wojciech; Pilch, Jan; Leźnicka, Katarzyna; Lulińska-Kuklik, Ewelina; Sawczuk, Marek; Massidda, Myosotis

2016-12-01

The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) A1298C polymorphic variant is a candidate to explain the individual differences in trainability and response to exercise training. Therefore, the aim of the study was to verify whether the A1298C polymorphism influenced the aerobic and anaerobic performance as well as body and mass composition in young Polish women following low-high impact aerobic exercise training. Two hundred and one women aged 21 ± 1 years (range 19-24) were included in the study. All of them completed a 12-week exercise training program and were measured for selected somatic features, aerobic capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness indices as well as peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity, before and after the intervention. A mixed 2 x 2 ANOVA for 20 dependent variables grouped in three categories was conducted. No significant interaction of the genotype with training for body mass and body composition variables was observed. Although, there were three significant genotype x training interactions for maximal oxygen uptake variables, regardless of body mass i.e.: for VO2max (p < 0.05), HRmax (p < 0.0001) and HRAT/HRmax (p < 0.0001). Significantly greater improvement in VO2max was gained by the CC+AC group compared to the AA genotype group. The present results support the hypothesis that individual differences in trainability are at least in part determined by the genetic component and MTHFR A1298C seems to be one of the many polymorphisms involved.

Genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T and premature coronary artery disease susceptibility: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Hou, Xiaowen; Chen, Xin; Shi, Jingpu

2015-07-01

The association between 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) is controversial. To explore a more precise estimation of the association, a meta-analysis was conducted in the present study. The relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, the Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and China Biological Medicine up to November, 2014. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 11. 21 studies with a total of 6912 subjects, including 2972 PCAD patients and 3940 controls. The pooled analysis showed that MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was probably associated with PCAD (CT vs. CC: OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.01-1.27; dominant model: OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.04-1.29; recessive model: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.00-1.40; allele analysis: OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.01-1.34). Subgroup analysis by plasma homocysteine concentration showed a significant association in the homocysteine >15μmol/L subgroup (CT vs. CC: OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.10-1.88; TT vs. CC: OR=2.51, 95% CI=1.12-5.63; dominant model: OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.16-1.96; recessive model: OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.05-5.20; allele analysis: OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.18-1.87). Subgroup analysis by continent displayed a significant association among the Asian population (CT vs. CC: OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.23-1.86; TT vs. CC: OR=2.81, 95% CI=1.87-4.23; dominant model: OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.35-2.01; recessive model: OR=2.22, 95% CI=1.53-3.21; allele analysis: OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.37-1.89). The statistical stability and reliability was demonstrated by sensitivity analysis and publication bias outcomes. In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism may be associated with PCAD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The importance of folate, vitamins B6 and B12 for the lowering of homocysteine concentrations for patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and MTHFR mutations.

PubMed

Serapinas, Danielius; Boreikaite, Evelina; Bartkeviciute, Agne; Bandzeviciene, Rita; Silkunas, Mindaugas; Bartkeviciene, Daiva

2017-09-01

In patients with MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) mutations and hyperhomocysteinemia, recurrent pregnancy loss is a frequent feature. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 supplementation for the lowering of total homocysteine concentrations and pregnancy. 16 patients who had had 3 or more miscarriages and MTHFR mutations were used in the study. They received methylfolate (5mg/day), vitamin B6 (50mg/day) and vitamin B12 (1mg/week). Supplementation induced a decrease in homocysteine from 19.4±5.3μmol/L to 6.9±2.2μmol/L after folate supplementation (p<0.05). During one year 7 women became pregnant and delivered. Two women delivered from the homozygous C677T mutations group (7 patients) and combined heterozygous C677T/A1298C mutations group (5 patients), while 3 deliveries were in A1298C homozygous mutations group (4 patients). In conclusion, supraphysiologic methylfolate, vitamins B6 and B12 supplementation in woman with MTHFR mutations has a beneficial effect on pregnancy outcome. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR 677TT, V Leiden 506Q, and Prothrombin 20210A in Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis: Analysis of Individual Patient Data From Three Prospective Studies

PubMed Central

Pasta, Linda; Pasta, Francesca; D’Amico, Mario

2016-01-01

Background There are no univocal opinions on the role of genetic thrombophilia on splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). We defined genetic thrombophilia the presence of one of these thrombophilic genetic factors (THRGFs): PAI-1 4G-4G, MTHFR 677TT, V Leiden 506Q, and prothrombin 20210A. Objectives To evaluate the frequencies of these THRGFs in SVT patients, we analyzed individual data of 482 Caucasian patients, recruited from 2000 to 2014 in three prospective studies. SVT was defined as the presence of thrombosis of portal (PVT), mesenteric (MVT), splenic (SPVT), cava (CT), and hepatic vein (Budd Chiari syndrome, BCS). Pre-hepatic SVT (pre-HSVT) was defined as PVT with or without MVT/SPVT, without BCS. Post-hepatic SVT (post-HSVT) was BCS with or without PVT/MVT/SPVT. Methods We compared 350 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 47 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 37 myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), 38 associated disease (AD), 10 without any associated disease (WAD), vs 150 healthy controls (HC); 437 patients showed pre-HSVT and 45 post-HSVT. Results Thrombophilia was present in 294/482 (60.9%) patients: 189/350 LC (54.0%), 31/47 (66.0%) HCC, 29/39 (74.4%) MPN, 35/38 AD (92.1%), and 10/10 (100%) WAD, and 54/150 (36.0%) in HC. In the total group, we found 175 PAI-1 4G-4G, 130 MTHFR 677TT, 42V Leiden 506Q, and 27 prothrombin 20210A; 75 patients showed presence of >1 TRHGF; the more frequent association was PAI-1 4G-4G/MTHFR 677TT, in 36 patients. PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT were significantly more frequent in patients with SVT (P values <0.005), whereas V Leiden Q506 and prothrombin G20210A were not. PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT distributions deviated significantly from that expected from a population in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Thrombophilia was significantly less frequent in patients with pre-HSVT (250/437, 57.2%) than in patients with post-HSVT (44/45, 97.8%). Conclusions Our study shows the significant prevalence of PAI-1 4G-4G and MTHFR 677TT in SVT, mainly in

Homocysteine and the C677T Gene Polymorphism of Its Key Metabolic Enzyme MTHFR Are Risk Factors of Early Renal Damage in Hypertension in a Chinese Han Population

PubMed Central

Yun, Lin; Xu, Rui; Li, Guohua; Yao, Yucai; Li, Jiamin; Cong, Dehong; Xu, Xingshun; Zhang, Lihua

2015-01-01

Abstract The combined hyperhomocysteinemia condition is a feature of the Chinese hypertensive population. This study used the case-control method to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine and the C677T gene polymorphism of its key metabolic enzyme, 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and early renal damage in a hypertensive Chinese Han population. A total of 379 adult essential hypertensive patients were selected as the study subjects. The personal information, clinical indicators, and the C677T gene polymorphism of MTHFR were texted. This study used the urine microalbumin/urine creatinine ratio (UACR) as a grouping basis: the hypertension without renal damage group (NRD group) and the hypertension combined with early renal damage group (ERD group). Early renal damage in the Chinese hypertensive population was associated with body weight, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cystatin C, uric acid, aldosterone, and glomerular filtration rate. The homocysteine level and the UACR in the TT genotype group were higher than those in the CC genotype group. The binary logistic regression analysis results showed that after sex and age were adjusted, the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was correlated with early renal damage in hypertension in both the recessive model and in the additive model. Plasma homocysteine and the C677T gene polymorphism of its key metabolic enzyme MTHFR might be independent risk factors of early renal damage in the hypertensive Chinese Han population. PMID:26717388

Homocysteine and the C677T Gene Polymorphism of Its Key Metabolic Enzyme MTHFR Are Risk Factors of Early Renal Damage in Hypertension in a Chinese Han Population.

PubMed

Yun, Lin; Xu, Rui; Li, Guohua; Yao, Yucai; Li, Jiamin; Cong, Dehong; Xu, Xingshun; Zhang, Lihua

2015-12-01

The combined hyperhomocysteinemia condition is a feature of the Chinese hypertensive population. This study used the case-control method to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine and the C677T gene polymorphism of its key metabolic enzyme, 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and early renal damage in a hypertensive Chinese Han population.A total of 379 adult essential hypertensive patients were selected as the study subjects. The personal information, clinical indicators, and the C677T gene polymorphism of MTHFR were texted. This study used the urine microalbumin/urine creatinine ratio (UACR) as a grouping basis: the hypertension without renal damage group (NRD group) and the hypertension combined with early renal damage group (ERD group).Early renal damage in the Chinese hypertensive population was associated with body weight, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cystatin C, uric acid, aldosterone, and glomerular filtration rate. The homocysteine level and the UACR in the TT genotype group were higher than those in the CC genotype group. The binary logistic regression analysis results showed that after sex and age were adjusted, the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was correlated with early renal damage in hypertension in both the recessive model and in the additive model.Plasma homocysteine and the C677T gene polymorphism of its key metabolic enzyme MTHFR might be independent risk factors of early renal damage in the hypertensive Chinese Han population.

Association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of cancer: evidence from 446 case-control studies.

PubMed

Xie, Shu-Zhe; Liu, Zhi-Zhong; Yu, Jun-hua; Liu, Li; Wang, Wei; Xie, Dao-Lin; Qin, Jiang-Bo

2015-11-01

Many molecular epidemiological studies have been performed to explore the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and cancer risk in diverse populations. However, the results were inconsistent. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between cancer risk and MTHFR C677T (150,086 cases and 200,699 controls from 446 studies) polymorphism. Overall, significantly increased cancer risk was found when all eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. In the further stratified and sensitivity analyses, significantly increased breast cancer risk was found in Asians and Indians, significantly decreased colon cancer risk was found, significantly decreased colorectal cancer risk was found in male population, significantly increased gastric cancer risk was found in Caucasians and Asians, significantly increased hepatocellular cancer risk was found in Asians, significantly decreased adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (AALL) risk was found in Caucasians, significantly decreased childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CALL) risk was found in Asians, and significantly increased multiple myeloma and NHL risk was found in Caucasians. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with increased breast cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular cancer risk in Asians, is associated with increased gastric cancer, multiple myeloma, and NHL risk in Caucasians, is associated with decreased AALL risk in Caucasians, is associated with decreased CALL risk in Asians, is associated with increased breast cancer risk in Asians, is associated with decreased colon cancer risk, and is associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk in male population. Moreover, this meta-analysis also points out the importance of new studies, such as Asians of HNC, Asians of lung cancer, and Indians of breast cancer, because they had high heterogeneity in this meta-analysis (I(2) > 75%).

Methotrexate toxicity and efficacy during the consolidation phase in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and MTHFR polymorphisms as pharmacogenetic determinants.

PubMed

D'Angelo, Velia; Ramaglia, Maria; Iannotta, Adriana; Crisci, Stefania; Indolfi, Paolo; Francese, Matteo; Affinita, Maria Carmen; Pecoraro, Giulia; Napolitano, Addolorata; Fusco, Claudia; Oreste, Matilde; Indolfi, Cristiana; Casale, Fiorina

2011-11-01

Folate-metabolizing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are emerging as important pharmacogenetic prognostic determinants of the response to chemotherapy. With high doses of methotrexate (MTX) in the consolidation phase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms could be potential modulators of the therapeutic response to antifolate chemotherapeutics in identifying a possible correlation with the outcome. This study aims to analyse the potential role of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C genetic variants in modulating the clinical toxicity and efficacy of high doses of MTX in a cohort of paediatric ALL patients (n = 151) treated with AIEOP protocols. This work includes DNA extraction by slides and RFLP-PCR. The first observation relative to early toxicities (haematological and non-haematological), after the first doses of MTX in all protocols, was an association between the 677T and 1298C carriers and global toxicity. We found that in the 2 g/m(2) MTX group, patients harbouring 677TT homozygously exhibited a substantial 12-fold risk of developing toxicity. In this study, we demonstrate that the MTHFR 677TT variant is associated with an increased risk of relapse when compared to other genotypes. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 677TT variant had a lower 7-year DFS(disease-free survival) probability compared to the 677C carrier genotype (log-rank test P = 0.003) and OS (overall survival) and also confirms the lower probability of survival for patients with the 677TT variant (log-rank test, P = 0.006). Our study provides further evidence of the critical role played by folate pathway enzymes in the outcome of ALL, possibly through the interference of MTX.

The MAOA, COMT, MTHFR and ESR1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk of depression in menopausal women.

PubMed

Różycka, Agata; Słopień, Radosław; Słopień, Agnieszka; Dorszewska, Jolanta; Seremak-Mrozikiewicz, Agnieszka; Lianeri, Margarita; Maciukiewicz, Małgorzata; Warenik-Szymankiewicz, Alina; Grzelak, Teresa; Kurzawińska, Grażyna; Drews, Krzysztof; Klejewski, Andrzej; Jagodziński, Paweł P

2016-02-01

The aim of the study was assessment of a possible relationship between the polymorphisms of the candidate genes participating in the etiology of some neurological and psychiatric disorders and the risk of depression in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. A total of 167 (54 perimenopausal and 113 postmenopausal) Caucasian women from western Poland, aged 42-67, were recruited as the patient group in the study because of depressive symptoms, and another 321 healthy women (102 perimenopausal and 219 postmenopausal) served as the controls. All study participants were evaluated for climacteric and depressive disorders according to the Kupperman index and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD), respectively. The following candidate genes were selected for the study: 5HTR2A, 5HTR1B, 5HTR2C, TPH1, TPH2, MAOA, COMT, NET, GABRB1, ESR1, MTHFR, MTR and MTHFD1. In each group the frequencies of the polymorphisms were determined using PCR-RFLP analysis. After correcting for Bonferroni multiple tests, we found associations between the MAOA c.1460C>T (SNP 1137070), COMT c.472G>A (SNP 4680), MTHFR c.677C>T (SNP 1801133) and ESR1 454(-351) A>G (SNP 9340799) polymorphisms to mild and moderate depressive symptoms in menopausal women. In the perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, genotype association of the MAOA c.1460 CT and c.1460 CT+TT (OR=1.83; pcorr=0.009 and OR=1.85; pcorr=0.003, resp.), and of the MTHFR c.677 TT and c.677 CT+TT (OR=3.52; pcorr=0.00009 and OR=2.06; pcorr=0.0006, resp.), as well as of the COMT c.472 GA and COMT c.472 GA+AA genotypes (OR=2.23; pcorr=0.03 and OR=2.17; pcorr=0.027, resp.) in the postmenopausal women revealed significantly higher frequencies of these variants in depressed female patients than in controls, whereas the ESR1 454(-351) AG and 454(-351) AG+GG genotypes were associated with lower risk of depression in postmenopausal women (OR=0.48; pcorr=0.012, and OR=0.52; pcorr=0.015, resp.). Our study substantiates the involvement of the MAOA

Summary of CPAS Gen II Parachute Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, Aaron L.; Bledsoe, Kristin J.; Fraire, Usbaldo, Jr.; Moore, James W.; Olson, Leah M.; Ray, Eric

2011-01-01

The Orion spacecraft is currently under development by NASA and Lockheed Martin. Like Apollo, Orion will use a series of parachutes to slow its descent and splashdown safely. The Orion parachute system, known as the CEV Parachute Assembly System (CPAS), is being designed by NASA, the Engineering and Science Contract Group (ESCG), and Airborne Systems. The first generation (Gen I) of CPAS testing consisted of thirteen tests and was executed in the 2007-2008 timeframe. The Gen I tests provided an initial understanding of the CPAS parachutes. Knowledge gained from Gen I testing was used to plan the second generation of testing (Gen II). Gen II consisted of six tests: three singleparachute tests, designated as Main Development Tests, and three Cluster Development Tests. Gen II required a more thorough investigation into parachute performance than Gen I. Higher fidelity instrumentation, enhanced analysis methods and tools, and advanced test techniques were developed. The results of the Gen II test series are being incorporated into the CPAS design. Further testing and refinement of the design and model of parachute performance will occur during the upcoming third generation of testing (Gen III). This paper will provide an overview of the developments in CPAS analysis following the end of Gen I, including descriptions of new tools and techniques as well as overviews of the Gen II tests.

AutoGen Version 5.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, Roy E.; Khanampornpan, Teerapat; Fisher, Forest W.

2010-01-01

Version 5.0 of the AutoGen software has been released. Previous versions, variously denoted Autogen and autogen, were reported in two articles: Automated Sequence Generation Process and Software (NPO-30746), Software Tech Briefs (Special Supplement to NASA Tech Briefs), September 2007, page 30, and Autogen Version 2.0 (NPO- 41501), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 31, No. 10 (October 2007), page 58. To recapitulate: AutoGen (now signifying automatic sequence generation ) automates the generation of sequences of commands in a standard format for uplink to spacecraft. AutoGen requires fewer workers than are needed for older manual sequence-generation processes, and greatly reduces sequence-generation times. The sequences are embodied in spacecraft activity sequence files (SASFs). AutoGen automates generation of SASFs by use of another previously reported program called APGEN. AutoGen encodes knowledge of different mission phases and of how the resultant commands must differ among the phases. AutoGen also provides means for customizing sequences through use of configuration files. The approach followed in developing AutoGen has involved encoding the behaviors of a system into a model and encoding algorithms for context-sensitive customizations of the modeled behaviors. This version of AutoGen addressed the MRO (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) primary science phase (PSP) mission phase. On previous Mars missions this phase has more commonly been referred to as mapping phase. This version addressed the unique aspects of sequencing orbital operations and specifically the mission specific adaptation of orbital operations for MRO. This version also includes capabilities for MRO s role in Mars relay support for UHF relay communications with the MER rovers and the Phoenix lander.

Methotrexate elimination and toxicity: MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism in patients with primary CNS lymphoma treated with high-dose methotrexate.

PubMed

Choi, Yun Jung; Park, Hyangmin; Lee, Ji Sung; Lee, Ju-Yeon; Kim, Shin; Kim, Tae Won; Park, Jung Sun; Kim, Jeong Eun; Yoon, Dok Hyun; Suh, Cheolwon

2017-12-01

The genetic association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) 677C>T polymorphism with methotrexate (MTX)-associated toxicity has been evaluated and conflicting results have been reported. The substantial heterogeneity of the studied population was suggested to be a possible explanation because ethnicity, MTX dose, coadministered chemotherapeutic agents, and folinate rescue dosage regimen could alter the MTX toxicity profile. The patient population was homogenized by limiting the cancer type to primary central nervous system lymphoma and chemotherapy protocol to a high-dose MTX monotherapy regimen. A total of 111 patients with 402 chemotherapy courses were analyzed. MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was identified as an independent predictive marker for MTX-associated hematologic toxicity (odds ratio, 2.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-5.09; P = .0055). Clinically significant nephrotoxicity occurred in patients without delayed elimination, suggesting roles for factors other than serum MTX levels. MTX-induced hepatotoxicity and oral mucositis occurred independently of plasma MTX levels. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

More severe toxicity of genetic polymorphisms on MTHFR activity in osteosarcoma patients treated with high-dose methotrexate

PubMed Central

Xie, Lu; Guo, Wei; Yang, Yi; Ji, Tao; Xu, Jie

2018-01-01

5,10-Methylenetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a key enzyme for folate metabolism, catalyses the irreversible conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which is located at the end of the short arm (1p36.3). Two common non-synonymous variants, the C677T (Ala222Val) and A1298C (Glu429Ala), were mainly described with decreased enzymatic activity and an alteration of intracellular folate distribution. Osteosarcomas are currently treated with high dose of methotrexate (MTX). The decreased enzyme activity of MTHFR theoretically could increase the drug action of MTX and at the same time increase toxic and side effect. Germline variants of C677T and A1298C were studied in 59 osteosarcoma patients, with whom the A1298C is detected with particularly low rate of mutant genotype (N = 1, 0.8%) and could not proceed with statistical calculations. 15 patients were wild type of C677T (CC, 25.4%), 20 were heterozygous mutant genotype (CT, 33.9%) and 24 were homozygous mutant genotype (TT, 40.7%). Patients harboring the TT/CT genotype had the same progression-free survival and tumor necrosis rate in comparison with patients having the CC genotype (P = 0.349 and P = 0.465 respectively). And the C677T polymorphisms had no significant correlation with MTX initial plasma concentration (P = 0.867; r = 0.024) and delayed elimination (P = 0.305; r = −0.136). However patients with mutant genotype of C677T were associated with higher degree of liver toxicity (P = 0.043) and fever reaction of MTX (P = 0.050) while G3/G4 hematologic toxicity were more likely to be noticed with TT than CT/CC (P = 0.095). The study suggests that genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T in the MTX metabolic pathway seems to be associated with the trend for more side effects statistically, but has no obvious effect on histologic response and survival. PMID:29545912

The rs4846049 polymorphism in the 3'UTR region of the MTHFR gene increases the migraine susceptibility in an Iranian population.

PubMed

Salehi, Mohaddeseh; Amin-Beidokhti, Mona; Safarpour Lima, Behnam; Gholami, Milad; Javadi, Gholam-Reza; Mirfakhraie, Reza

2018-01-01

Migraine is a painful complex neurovascular disease characterized by recurrent moderate-to-severe headaches. Increased level of homocysteine is related to dilation of cerebral vessels and endothelial injury that could trigger migraine attacks. Functional polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene affect homocysteine metabolism and, therefore, play an important role in the etiology of the disease. We aimed to investigate the possible association between MTHFR gene rs4846049, C677T, and A1298C polymorphisms and the risk of migraine in Iranian population. In this genetic association study, 498 individuals were enrolled, including 223 migraine patients and 275 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using tetra-primer ARMS-PCR for rs4846049 and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism for C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. The association between rs4846049 and C677T polymorphisms and migraine was observed. For the rs4846049 polymorphism, the association was detected under a dominant model ( P =0.007; odds ratio [OR] =0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.87), and for the C677T polymorphism, the TT genotype frequency was significantly different in the studied groups ( P =0.009; OR =2.48; 95% CI, 1.25-4.92). No significant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies were found for the A1298C polymorphism between the migraineurs and controls. Present data provide evidence for the association of rs4846049 and C677T polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene and migraine. Further studies are required to validate the significance of the studied genetic variations in diverse ethnic populations.

A Lower Degree of PBMC L1 Methylation in Women with Lower Folate Status May Explain the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism Associated Higher Risk of CIN in the US Post Folic Acid Fortification Era

PubMed Central

Badiga, Suguna; Johanning, Gary L.; Macaluso, Maurizio; Azuero, Andres; Chambers, Michelle M.; Siddiqui, Nuzhat R.; Piyathilake, Chandrika J.

2014-01-01

Background Studies in populations unexposed to folic acid (FA) fortification have demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with increased risk of higher grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2+). However, it is unknown whether exposure to higher folate as a result of the FA fortification program has altered the association between MTHFR C677T and risk of CIN, or the mechanisms involved with such alterations. The current study investigated the following in a FA fortified population: 1) The association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of CIN 2+; 2) The modifying effects of plasma folate concentrations on this association; and 3) The modifying effects of plasma folate on the association between the polymorphism and degree of methylation of long interspersed nucleotide elements (L1s), in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA, a documented biomarker of CIN risk. Methods The study included 457 US women diagnosed with either CIN 2+ (cases) or ≤ CIN 1 (non-cases). Unconditional logistic regression models were used to test the associations after adjusting for relevant risk factors for CIN. Results The 677CT/TT MTHFR genotypes were not associated with the risk of CIN 2+. Women with CT/TT genotype with lower folate, however, were more likely to be diagnosed with CIN 2+ compared to women with CT/TT genotype with higher folate (OR = 2.41, P = 0.030). Women with CT/TT genotype with lower folate were less likely to have a higher degree of PBMC L1 methylation compared to women with CT/TT genotype with higher folate (OR = 0.28, P = 0.017). Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that the MTHFR 677CT/TT genotype-associated lower degree of PBMC L1 methylation increases the risk of CIN 2+ in women in the US post-FA fortification era. Thus, even in the post-FA fortification era, not all women have adequate folate status to overcome MTHFR 677CT/TT genotype-associated lower degree of L1 methylation. PMID:25302494

Association of Polymorphisms in BDNF, MTHFR, and Genes Involved in the Dopaminergic Pathway with Memory in a Healthy Chinese Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yeh, Ting-Kuang; Hu, Chung-Yi; Yeh, Ting-Chi; Lin, Pei-Jung; Wu, Chung-Hsin; Lee, Po-Lei; Chang, Chun-Yen

2012-01-01

The contribution of genetic factors to the memory is widely acknowledged. Research suggests that these factors include genes involved in the dopaminergic pathway, as well as the genes for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). The activity of the products of these genes is affected by single…

Association between methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase and glutathione S-transferase M1 gene polymorphisms and chronic myeloid leukemia in a Brazilian population.

PubMed

Lordelo, G S; Miranda-Vilela, A L; Akimoto, A K; Alves, P C Z; Hiragi, C O; Nonino, A; Daldegan, M B; Klautau-Guimarães, M N; Grisolia, C K

2012-04-19

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder that causes uncontrolled proliferation of white blood cells. Although the clinical and biological aspects are well documented, little is known about individual susceptibility to this disease. We conducted a case-control study analyzing the prevalence of the polymorphisms MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, del{GSTM1}, del{GSTT1}, and haptoglobin in 105 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 273 healthy controls, using PCR-based methods. A significant association with risk of developing CML was found for MTHFR 1298AA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.794; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14-2.83) and GSTM1 non-null (OR = 1.649; 95%CI = 1.05-2.6) genotypes, while MTHFR 1298AC (OR = 0.630; 95%CI = 0.40-0.99) and GSTM1 null (OR = 0.606; 95%CI = 0.21-0.77) genotypes significantly decreased this risk. There appeared to be selection for heterozygosity at the MTHFR 1298 locus. The considerable range of variation in this and other human populations may be a consequence of distinctive processes of natural selection and adaptation to variable environmental conditions. The Brazilian population is very mixed and heterogeneous; we found these two loci to be associated with CML in this population.

Head-Worn Displays for NextGen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, Randall E.; Shelton, Kevin J.; Arthur, J. J.

2011-01-01

The operating concepts emerging under the Next Generation air transportation system (NextGen) require new technology and procedures - not only on the ground-side - but also on the flight deck. Flight deck display and decision support technologies are specifically targeted to overcome aircraft safety barriers that might otherwise constrain the full realization of NextGen. One such technology is the very lightweight, unobtrusive head-worn display (HWD). HWDs with an integrated head-tracking system are being researched as they offer significant potential benefit under emerging NextGen operational concepts. Two areas of benefit for NextGen are defined. First, the HWD may be designed to be equivalent to the Head-Up Display (HUD) using Virtual HUD concepts. As such, these operational credits may be provided to significantly more aircraft for which HUD installation is neither practical nor possible. Second, the HWD provides unique display capabilities, such as an unlimited field-of-regard. These capabilities may be integral to emerging NextGen operational concepts, eliminating safety issues which might otherwise constrain the full realization of NextGen. The paper details recent research results, current HWD technology limitations, and future technology development needed to realize HWDs as a enabling technology for NextGen.

Development of novel LOXL1 genotyping method and evaluation of LOXL1, APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms in exfoliation syndrome/glaucoma in a Greek population.

PubMed

Chiras, Dimitrios; Tzika, Konstantina; Kokotas, Haris; Oliveira, Samantha C; Grigoriadou, Maria; Kastania, Anastasia; Dima, Kleanthi; Stefaniotou, Maria; Aspiotis, Miltiadis; Petersen, Michael B; Kroupis, Christos; Kitsos, George

2013-01-01

In the Greek population of Epirus, exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) occur at a high prevalence. In this study, we validate a novel lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) genotyping method, investigate the previously reported association of LOXL1 with XFS/XFG, and evaluate apolipoprotein E (APOE) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms as genetic risk factors for both conditions in our population. Blood samples were collected from 82 patients with XFG, 69 patients with XFS, 52 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and 107 controls. APOE and MTHFR 677C>T genotyping was performed from extracted genomic DNA with established methods. A novel methodology of real-time PCR and melting curve analysis was developed and validated to accurately genotype the LOXL1 G153D and R141L polymorphisms by using two different fluorescent channels of the LightCycler instrument (Roche) examining each SNP separately. No significant differences were observed for the APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms between the patients with XFS, the patients with XFG, and the control subjects. The APOE ε2 allele appears to be associated with elevated risk of POAG in our population. Our novel LOXL1 genotyping method was easy to perform, fast, and accurate. A statistically significant association was found for the LOXL1 gene with XFS/XFG in this Greek population. The association of XFS and XFG with G153D appeared to be less powerful in this population (XFS: odds ratio [OR]=2.162, p=0.039, XFG: OR=2.794, p=0.002) compared to other populations, and for R141L, the association was proven only with XFG (OR=3.592, p<0.001). Neither of the two LOXL1 SNPs was significantly associated with POAG. We confirmed the association between LOXL1 and XFS/XFG, but the APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms are not significant risk factors for the development of XFS/XFG in our population of patients from Epirus (Greece).

Development of novel LOXL1 genotyping method and evaluation of LOXL1, APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms in exfoliation syndrome/glaucoma in a Greek population

PubMed Central

Chiras, Dimitrios; Tzika, Konstantina; Kokotas, Haris; Oliveira, Samantha C.; Grigoriadou, Maria; Kastania, Anastasia; Dima, Kleanthi; Stefaniotou, Maria; Aspiotis, Miltiadis; Kroupis, Christos; Kitsos, George

2013-01-01

Purpose In the Greek population of Epirus, exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) occur at a high prevalence. In this study, we validate a novel lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) genotyping method, investigate the previously reported association of LOXL1 with XFS/XFG, and evaluate apolipoprotein E (APOE) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms as genetic risk factors for both conditions in our population. Methods Blood samples were collected from 82 patients with XFG, 69 patients with XFS, 52 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and 107 controls. APOE and MTHFR 677C>T genotyping was performed from extracted genomic DNA with established methods. A novel methodology of real-time PCR and melting curve analysis was developed and validated to accurately genotype the LOXL1 G153D and R141L polymorphisms by using two different fluorescent channels of the LightCycler instrument (Roche) examining each SNP separately. Results No significant differences were observed for the APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms between the patients with XFS, the patients with XFG, and the control subjects. The APOE ε2 allele appears to be associated with elevated risk of POAG in our population. Our novel LOXL1 genotyping method was easy to perform, fast, and accurate. A statistically significant association was found for the LOXL1 gene with XFS/XFG in this Greek population. The association of XFS and XFG with G153D appeared to be less powerful in this population (XFS: odds ratio [OR]=2.162, p=0.039, XFG: OR=2.794, p=0.002) compared to other populations, and for R141L, the association was proven only with XFG (OR=3.592, p<0.001). Neither of the two LOXL1 SNPs was significantly associated with POAG. Conclusions We confirmed the association between LOXL1 and XFS/XFG, but the APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms are not significant risk factors for the development of XFS/XFG in our population of patients from Epirus (Greece). PMID:23687437

Association of PHB 1630 C>T and MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphisms with breast and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: results from a multicenter study

PubMed Central

Jakubowska, A; Rozkrut, D; Antoniou, A; Hamann, U; Scott, R J; McGuffog, L; Healy, S; Sinilnikova, O M; Rennert, G; Lejbkowicz, F; Flugelman, A; Andrulis, I L; Glendon, G; Ozcelik, H; Thomassen, M; Paligo, M; Aretini, P; Kantala, J; Aroer, B; von Wachenfeldt, A; Liljegren, A; Loman, N; Herbst, K; Kristoffersson, U; Rosenquist, R; Karlsson, P; Stenmark-Askmalm, M; Melin, B; Nathanson, K L; Domchek, S M; Byrski, T; Huzarski, T; Gronwald, J; Menkiszak, J; Cybulski, C; Serrano, P; Osorio, A; Cajal, T R; Tsitlaidou, M; Benítez, J; Gilbert, M; Rookus, M; Aalfs, C M; Kluijt, I; Boessenkool-Pape, J L; Meijers-Heijboer, H E J; Oosterwijk, J C; van Asperen, C J; Blok, M J; Nelen, M R; van den Ouweland, A M W; Seynaeve, C; van der Luijt, R B; Devilee, P; Easton, D F; Peock, S; Frost, D; Platte, R; Ellis, S D; Fineberg, E; Evans, D G; Lalloo, F; Eeles, R; Jacobs, C; Adlard, J; Davidson, R; Eccles, D; Cole, T; Cook, J; Godwin, A; Bove, B; Stoppa-Lyonnet, D; Caux-Moncoutier, V; Belotti, M; Tirapo, C; Mazoyer, S; Barjhoux, L; Boutry-Kryza, N; Pujol, P; Coupier, I; Peyrat, J-P; Vennin, P; Muller, D; Fricker, J-P; Venat-Bouvet, L; Johannsson, O Th; Isaacs, C; Schmutzler, R; Wappenschmidt, B; Meindl, A; Arnold, N; Varon-Mateeva, R; Niederacher, D; Sutter, C; Deissler, H; Preisler-Adams, S; Simard, J; Soucy, P; Durocher, F; Chenevix-Trench, G; Beesley, J; Chen, X; Rebbeck, T; Couch, F; Wang, X; Lindor, N; Fredericksen, Z; Pankratz, V S; Peterlongo, P; Bonanni, B; Fortuzzi, S; Peissel, B; Szabo, C; Mai, P L; Loud, J T; Lubinski, J

2012-01-01

Background: The variable penetrance of breast cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers suggests that other genetic or environmental factors modify breast cancer risk. Two genes of special interest are prohibitin (PHB) and methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), both of which are important either directly or indirectly in maintaining genomic integrity. Methods: To evaluate the potential role of genetic variants within PHB and MTHFR in breast and ovarian cancer risk, 4102 BRCA1 and 2093 BRCA2 mutation carriers, and 6211 BRCA1 and 2902 BRCA2 carriers from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 (CIMBA) were genotyped for the PHB 1630 C>T (rs6917) polymorphism and the MTHFR 677 C>T (rs1801133) polymorphism, respectively. Results: There was no evidence of association between the PHB 1630 C>T and MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphisms with either disease for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers when breast and ovarian cancer associations were evaluated separately. Analysis that evaluated associations for breast and ovarian cancer simultaneously showed some evidence that BRCA1 mutation carriers who had the rare homozygote genotype (TT) of the PHB 1630 C>T polymorphism were at increased risk of both breast and ovarian cancer (HR 1.50, 95%CI 1.10–2.04 and HR 2.16, 95%CI 1.24–3.76, respectively). However, there was no evidence of association under a multiplicative model for the effect of each minor allele. Conclusion: The PHB 1630TT genotype may modify breast and ovarian cancer risks in BRCA1 mutation carriers. This association need to be evaluated in larger series of BRCA1 mutation carriers. PMID:22669161

Association between C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene and risk of male infertility: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Yang, Y; Luo, Y Y; Wu, S; Tang, Y D; Rao, X D; Xiong, L; Tan, M; Deng, M Z; Liu, H

2016-04-26

Published studies on the association between the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and male infertility risk are controversial. To obtain a more precise evaluation, we performed a meta-analysis based on published case-control studies. We conducted an electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database for papers on MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and male infertility risk. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, recessive, and additive models. Statistical heterogeneity, test of publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were carried out using the STATA software (Version 13.0). Overall, 21 studies of C677T (4505 cases and 4024 controls) and 13 studies of A1298C (2785 cases and 3094 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. For C677T, the homozygote comparison results were OR = 1.629, 95%CI (1.215- 2.184), and the recessive model results were OR = 1.462 (1.155- 1.850). For A1298C, the homozygote comparison results were OR = 1.289 (1.029-1.616), and the recessive model results were OR = 1.288 (1.034-1.604). In conclusion, the current meta-analysis showed that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased male infertility risk in the Asian and overall populations, but not in the Caucasian population, and there was a significant association between the A1298C polymorphism and male infertility risk in the Asian, Caucasian, and overall groups.

Review of the taxonomy of the genus Arthrobacter, emendation of the genus Arthrobacter sensu lato, proposal to reclassify selected species of the genus Arthrobacter in the novel genera Glutamicibacter gen. nov., Paeniglutamicibacter gen. nov., Pseudoglutamicibacter gen. nov., Paenarthrobacter gen. nov. and Pseudarthrobacter gen. nov., and emended description of Arthrobacter roseus.

PubMed

Busse, Hans-Jürgen

2016-01-01

In this paper, the taxonomy of the genus Arthrobacter is discussed, from its first description in 1947 to the present state. Emphasis is given to intrageneric phylogeny and chemotaxonomic characteristics, concentrating on quinone systems, peptidoglycan compositions and polar lipid profiles. Internal groups within the genus Arthrobacter indicated from homogeneous chemotaxonomic traits and corresponding to phylogenetic grouping and/or high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities are highlighted. Furthermore, polar lipid profiles and quinone systems of selected species are shown, filling some gaps concerning these chemotaxonomic traits. Based on phylogenetic groupings, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and homogeneity in peptidoglycan types, quinone systems and polar lipid profiles, a description of the genus Arthrobacter sensu lato and an emended description of Arthrobacter roseus are provided. Furthermore, reclassifications of selected species of the genus Arthrobacter into novel genera are proposed, namely Glutamicibacter gen. nov. (nine species), Paeniglutamicibacter gen. nov. (six species), Pseudoglutamicibacter gen. nov. (two species), Paenarthrobacter gen. nov. (six species) and Pseudarthrobacter gen. nov. (ten species).

A meta-analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

PubMed

Yan, Jingrong; Yin, Ming; Dreyer, ZoAnn E; Scheurer, Michael E; Kamdar, Kala; Wei, Qingyi; Okcu, M Fatih

2012-04-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms have been implicated in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk, but previously published studies were inconsistent and recent meta-analyses were not adequate. In a meta-analysis of 21 publications with 4,706 cases and 7,414 controls, we used more stringent inclusion method and summarized data on associations between MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and childhood ALL risk. We found an overall association between 677T variant genotypes and reduced childhood ALL risk. Specifically, in the dominant genetic model, an association was found in a fixed-effect (TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.85-0.99) but not random-effect model, whereas such an association was observed in both homozygote genetic model (TT vs. CC: OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.70-0.93 by fixed effects and OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.65-0.93 by random effects) and recessive genetic model (TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.72-0.95 by fixed effects and OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.73-0.97 by random effects). These associations were also observed in subgroups by ethnicity: for Asians in all models except for the dominant genetic model by random effect and for Caucasians in all models except for the recessive genetic model. However, the A1298C polymorphism did not appear to have an effect on childhood ALL risk. These results suggest that the MTHFR C677T, but not A1298C, polymorphism is a potential biomarker for childhood ALL risk. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Genetic Diversity and Structure of Linkage Disequilibrium of the MTHFR Gene in Populations of Northern Eurasia.

PubMed

Trifonova, E A; Eremina, E R; Urnov, F D; Stepanov, V A

2012-01-01

The structure of the haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium (LD) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) in 9 population groups from Northern Eurasia and populations of the international HapMap project was investigated in the present study. The data suggest that the architecture of LD in the human genome is largely determined by the evolutionary history of populations; however, the results of phylogenetic and haplotype analyses seems to suggest that in fact there may be a common "old" mechanism for the formation of certain patterns of LD. Variability in the structure of LD and the level of diversity of MTHFRhaplotypes cause a certain set of tagSNPs with an established prognostic significance for each population. In our opinion, the results obtained in the present study are of considerable interest for understanding multiple genetic phenomena: namely, the association of interpopulation differences in the patterns of LD with structures possessing a genetic susceptibility to complex diseases, and the functional significance of the pleiotropicMTHFR gene effect. Summarizing the results of this study, a conclusion can be made that the genetic variability analysis with emphasis on the structure of LD in human populations is a powerful tool that can make a significant contribution to such areas of biomedical science as human evolutionary biology, functional genomics, genetics of complex diseases, and pharmacogenomics.

MTHFR C677T mutation increased the risk of Ischemic Stroke, especially in large-artery atherosclerosis in adults: an updated meta-analysis from 38 researches.

PubMed

Cui, Tao

2016-01-01

To date, many publications have evaluated the correlation between the Ethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) C677T and Ischemic Stroke susceptibility in adults. However, the results remain inconclusive. The meta-analysis was performed to resolve the problem. Based on 38 studies, dichotomous data were presented as the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). This study found, the carriers of the MTHFR 677C→T variation were more likely to increase the risk of Ischemic Stroke susceptibility in all over pooled population, including Asian and European, but not in African population (Europe: TT vs. CC+TC: OR = 1.364 95% CI = 1.010-1.841 p = 0.043; Asia subgroup: T vs. C: OR = 1.245, 95% CI = 1.141-1.358, p < 0.001; Africa: T vs. C: OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 0.990-1.459, p = 0.062). Among etiology stratified analysis, only large-artery atherosclerosis subgroups had a significant different, and the p value was less than 0.01 in all genetic models (T vs. C: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09-1.52, p = 0.002; TT+TC vs. CC: OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.06-1.51, p = 0.009; TT vs. CC+TC: OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.19-2.19, p = 0.002). This meta-analysis suggests that MTHFR C677T mutation increased the risk of Ischemic Stroke in adults, especially in large-artery atherosclerosis.

Supplementation with Watermelon Extract Reduces Total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol in Adults with Dyslipidemia under the Influence of the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism.

PubMed

Massa, Nayara M L; Silva, Alexandre S; de Oliveira, Caio V C; Costa, Maria J C; Persuhn, Darlene C; Barbosa, Carlos V S; Gonçalves, Maria da C R

2016-08-01

Dyslipidemia and genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, and watermelon appears to have the potential to improve hyperlipidemia due to the presence of nutrients such as arginine and citrulline. To test the hypolipidemic effect of watermelon extract (Citrullus lanatus) and the influence of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype (MTHFR C677T) on supplementation response. This is an experimental clinical phase II randomized and double-blind study. Forty-three subjects with dyslipidemia were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental (n = 22) and control (n = 21) groups. The subjects were supplemented daily for 42 days with 6 g of watermelon extract or a mixture of carbohydrates (sucrose/glucose/fructose). The use of watermelon extract reduced plasma total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.01) without modifying triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein values. Only carriers of the T allele (MTHFR C677T) showed decreasing concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.01). No changes in anthropometric parameters analyzed were observed. This is the first study to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the consumption of watermelon extract in reducing plasma levels of lipids in humans. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism did not affect the plasma lipid concentration but made individuals more responsive to treatment with watermelon. The consumption of this functional food represents an alternative therapy in the combined treatment of patients with dyslipidemia, promoting health and minimizing the development of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Regulación del flujo sanguíneo uterino. II. Funciones de estrógeno y receptores estrogénicos α/β en acciones genómicas y no-genómicas del endotelio uterino *

PubMed Central

Mayra, Pastore R.; Rosalina, Villalón L.; López, Gladys; Iruretagoyena, Jesús; Magness, Ronald

2015-01-01

Resumen El embarazo está marcado por cambios y adaptaciones cardiovasculares que son importantes para el crecimiento y mantenimiento de la placenta y el feto. Durante este periodo, las adaptaciones vasculares uterinas manifiestan cambios clasificados como de corto o largo plazo los cuales están relacionados con adaptaciones vasodilatadoras, angiogénicas o de remodelación. El estrógeno y los receptores estrogénicos clásicos (REs), RE-α y RE-β, han demostrado ser parcialmente responsables por facilitar el incremento dramático en el fluido sanguíneo uterino necesario durante el embarazo. En ésta revisión bibliográfica se discuten la base estructural para la diversidad y selectividad funcional de los REs por el estrógeno, el papel de los REs sobre los efectos genómicos y no-genómicos en células endoteliales de arterias uterinas (CEAU). Estos temas integran el conocimiento científico sobre la regulación molecular de CEAU para mantener el incremento fisiológico en la perfusión útero-placentaria observada durante un embarazo normal. PMID:26113751

RxGen General Optical Model Prescription Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sigrist, Norbert

2012-01-01

RxGen is a prescription generator for JPL's in-house optical modeling software package called MACOS (Modeling and Analysis for Controlled Optical Systems), which is an expert optical analysis software package focusing on modeling optics on dynamic structures, deformable optics, and controlled optics. The objectives of RxGen are to simplify and automate MACOS prescription generations, reducing errors associated with creating such optical prescriptions, and improving user efficiency without requiring MACOS proficiency. RxGen uses MATLAB (a high-level language and interactive environment developed by MathWorks) as the development and deployment platform, but RxGen can easily be ported to another optical modeling/analysis platform. Running RxGen within the modeling environment has the huge benefit that variations in optical models can be made an integral part of the modeling state. For instance, optical prescription parameters determined as external functional dependencies, optical variations by controlling the in-/exclusion of optical components like sub-systems, and/or controlling the state of all components. Combining the mentioned capabilities and flexibilities with RxGen's optical abstraction layer completely eliminates the hindering aspects for requiring proficiency in writing/editing MACOS prescriptions, allowing users to focus on the modeling aspects of optical systems, i.e., increasing productivity and efficiency. RxGen provides significant enhancements to MACOS and delivers a framework for fast prototyping as well as for developing very complex controlled optical systems.

GenCade Version 1 Quick-Start Guide: How to Start a Successful GenCade Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

Properly defining the inlets is a crucial part of a GenCade project and can be difficult. A user should become familiar with the Inlet Reservoir Model ( IRM ...GenCade Report 2 provide additional documentation on IRM variable names and functions. 3.9.4 Export data The data may easily be exported to a text

Influence of genetic polymorphisms of FPGS, GGH, and MTHFR on serum methotrexate levels in Chinese children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Wang, Shu-mei; Sun, Lu-lu; Zeng, Wei-xin; Wu, Wan-shui; Zhang, Guo-liang

2014-08-01

To investigate the correlation between common genetic polymorphisms of folylpolyglutamate synthase (FPGS), gamma-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and serum levels of methotrexate (MTX) in Chinese children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Ninety-one children with ALL who received high-dose MTX were recruited. The polymorphisms FPGS (rs1544105 G>A), GGH (rs3758149 C>T), and MTHFR (rs1801133 C>T) were genotyped through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Serum MTX was measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The association between targeted polymorphisms and MTX concentration-to-dose (C/D) ratios was assessed, and between targeted polymorphisms and the percent of MTX above the therapeutic threshold (40 µmol/L). The minor allele frequencies of rs1544105 G (34.1%), rs3758149 T (19.2%), and rs1801133 C (48.4%) observed in our population were significantly lower than those reported for European populations (64.2, 30.8, and 69.0%, respectively). The association between the GGH rs3758149 polymorphism and MTX C/D was gender-specific; in girls, the MTX C/D at 24 h of GGH rs3758149 CC carriers (12.09 μmol/L per g/m(2)) was significantly lower than that of CT or TT carriers (16.80 μmol/L per g/m(2)). The percent of serum MTX above the therapeutic threshold in GGH rs3758149 CC carriers (18.3%) was significantly lower than that of CT and TT carriers (38.7%). The MTX C/D ratios at 24 h and the percent of MTX >40 µmol/L for the A-T-T (three variant alleles) haplotype were significantly higher than those for other haplotypes combined (P < 0.05). These data indicate that FPGS rs1544105, GGH rs3758149, and MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphisms contribute to the variability of MTX pharmacokinetics, and their genotyping may be useful to reduce toxicities associated with MTX therapy.

Normal Weight Obese syndrome: role of single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-1 5Ralpha and MTHFR 677C-->T genes in the relationship between body composition and resting metabolic rate.

PubMed

Di Renzo, L; Bigioni, M; Bottini, F G; Del Gobbo, V; Premrov, M G; Cianci, R; De Lorenzo, A

2006-01-01

We have identified a subset of metabolically obese, but normal weight individuals, with potentially increased risks of developing the metabolic syndrome, despite their normal body mass index. We determined the relationship among body fat distribution, resting metabolic rate (RMR), total body water amount (%TBW), selected gene polymorphism on interleukin-15 receptor-alpha (IL-15Ralpha) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-->T (MTHFR 677C-->T), to distinguish normal weight obese (NWO) from nonobese with a normal metabolic profile and obese individuals. We analysed anthropometric variables, body composition by Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), RMR by indirect calorimetry, %TBW by bioimpedence analysis (BIA), MTHFR 677C-->T and IL-15Ralpha genotypes of 128 clinically healthy Caucasian individuals. We compared a group of female, defined as NWO and characterised by a BMI < or = 25 kg/m(2) and FM > or = 30% with groups of others female, and males, represented by nonobese with a BMI < or = 25 kg/m(2) and FM < or = 30%, and preobese-obese individuals with BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2) and %FM > or = 30%; none of the males was classified as NWO. Significant correlations were found among body fat mass distribution, metabolic variables, percentage of total body water distribution and selected genetic variations. The variables that contributed significantly to the separation of classes were body tissue (Tissue), %TBW, RMR, the volumes of both oxygen (VO2) and carbon dioxide (VCO2). The distribution of MTHFR 677C-->T and IL-15 genotypes was significantly different between classes. Our data highlight that NWO individuals showed a significant relationship between the decrease in the basal metabolism (RMR), body fat mass increasing and total water amount. Possession of wild type homozygotes genotypes regarding IL-15Ralpha cytokine and 677C-->T MTHFR enzyme characterised NWO individuals.

Prevalence of MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G polymorphisms in major depressive disorder, and their impact on response to fluoxetine treatment

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To examine the prevalence of the C677T polymorphism of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the A2756G polymorphism of methionine synthase (MS), and their impact on antidepressant response. We screened 224 subjects (52% female, mean age 39 +/- 11 years) with SCID-diagnosed major...

MTHFR gene polymorphism in acute lymphoblastic leukemia among North Indian children: a case-control study and meta-analysis updated from 2011.

PubMed

Roy Moulik, Nirmalya; Parveen, Farah; Kumar, Archana; Awasthi, Shally; Agrawal, Suraksha

2014-07-01

Studies on the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have yielded conflicting results. The present study examines this association in north Indian children with ALL and includes an updated meta-analysis. MTHFR (677 and 1298) genotype of children with ALL and healthy adult controls were done by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and were compared using various models of inheritance. A total of 150 patients and 300 controls were included. The 677T allele was found protective (odds ratio (OR) 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.94), whereas 1298C allele led to an increase in risk (OR 4.44, 95% CI 2.19-8.99) of childhood ALL. Meta-analysis included 31 and 27 studies examining the association of 677 and 1298 genotypes, respectively. The 677 C -> T polymorphism was protective (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.99). Protection was more pronounced in folate-sufficient populations as compared with those not covered by folate fortification guidelines. The 1298A->C polymorphism was associated with a marginal increase in risk (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.40).

Genetic effect of MTHFR C677T polymorphism on the structural covariance network and white-matter integrity in Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Tzu; Hsu, Shih-Wei; Tsai, Shih-Jen; Chang, Ya-Ting; Huang, Chi-Wei; Liu, Mu-En; Chen, Nai-Ching; Chang, Wen-Neng; Hsu, Jung-Lung; Lee, Chen-Chang; Chang, Chiung-Chih

2017-06-01

The 677 C to T transition in the MTHFR gene is a genetic determinant for hyperhomocysteinemia. We investigated whether this polymorphism modulates gray matter (GM) structural covariance networks independently of white-matter integrity in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). GM structural covariance networks were constructed by 3D T1-magnetic resonance imaging and seed-based analysis. The patients were divided into two genotype groups: C homozygotes (n = 73) and T carriers (n = 62). Using diffusion tensor imaging and white-matter parcellation, 11 fiber bundle integrities were compared between the two genotype groups. Cognitive test scores were the major outcome factors. The T carriers had higher homocysteine levels, lower posterior cingulate cortex GM volume, and more clusters in the dorsal medial lobe subsystem showing stronger covariance strength. Both posterior cingulate cortex seed and interconnected peak cluster volumes predicted cognitive test scores, especially in the T carriers. There were no between-group differences in fiber tract diffusion parameters. The MTHFR 677T polymorphism modulates posterior cingulate cortex-anchored structural covariance strength independently of white matter integrities. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3039-3051, 2017. © 2017 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published Wiley by Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published Wiley by Periodicals, Inc.

Unleashing Gen Y: Marketing Mars to Millennials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leahy, Bart D.; Hidalgo, Loretta; Kloberdanz, Cassie

2007-01-01

Space advocates need to engage Generation Y (born 1977-1999).This outreach is necessary to recruit the next generation of scientists and engineers to explore Mars. Space advocates in the non-profit, private, and government sectors need to use a combination of technical communication, marketing, and politics, to develop messages that resonate with Gen Y. Until now, space messages have been generated by and for college-educated white males; Gen Y is much more diverse, including as much as one third minorities. Young women, too, need to be reached. My research has shown that messages emphasizing technology, fun, humor, and opportunity are the best means of reaching the Gen Y audience of 60 million (US population is 300 million). The important things space advocates must avoid are talking down to this generation, making false promises, or expecting them to "wait their turn" before they can participate. This is the MTV generation! We need to find ways of engaging Gen Y now to build a future where human beings can live and work on the planet Mars. In addition to the messages themselves, advocates need to keep up with Gen Y' s social networking and use of iPods, cell phones, and the Internet. NASA and space advocacy groups can use these tools for "viral marketing," where young people share targeted space-related information via cell phones or the Internet because they like it. Overall, Gen Y is a socially dynamic and media-savvy group; advocates' space messages need to be sincere, creative, and placed in locations where Gen Y lives. Mars messages must be memorable!

The Integrated Airport: Building a Successful NextGen Testbed

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frederick-Recascino, Christina; Sweigard, Doug; Lester, Wade

2009-02-18

This presentation will describe a unique public-private partnership - the Integrated Airport - that was created to engage in research and testing related to NextGen Technology deployment.  NextGen refers to the program that will be initiated to modernize the US National Airspace.  As with any major, multi-decade initiative, such as NextGen, integration of work efforts by multiple partners in the modernization is critical for success.  This talk will focus on the development of the consortium, how the consortium plans for NextGen initiatives, the series of technology demonstrations we have produced and plans for the future of NextGen testing and implementation. 

Association of ADRA2A and MTHFR gene polymorphisms with weight loss following antipsychotic switching to aripiprazole or ziprasidone.

PubMed

Roffeei, Siti Norsyuhada; Reynolds, Gavin P; Zainal, Nor Zuraida; Said, Mas Ayu; Hatim, Ahmad; Aida, Syarinaz Ahmad; Mohamed, Zahurin

2014-01-01

Various genetic polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. In this study, we aimed to determine whether risk polymorphisms in 12 candidate genes are associated with reduction in body mass index (BMI) of patients following switching of antipsychotics to aripiprazole or ziprasidone. We recruited 115 schizophrenia patients with metabolic abnormalities and who have been on at least 1 year treatment with other antipsychotics; they were then switched to either aripiprazole or ziprasidone. They were genotyped, and their BMI monitored for 6 months. Significant associations with reduction in BMI at 6 months following switching were found in two of these genes: with rs1800544 of the ADRA2A gene (CC + CG [-0.32 ± 1.41 kg/m²] vs GG [-1.04 ± 1.63 kg/m²], p = 0.013) and with rs1801131 of the MTHFR gene (AA [-0.36 ± 1.53] vs AC + CC [-1.07 ± 1.53], p = 0.015). The study data indicated that carriage of the ADRA2A rs1800544 GG genotype and the MTHFR rs1801131 C allele are associated with BMI reduction in this population following switching of antipsychotics to aripiprazole and ziprasidone. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Variants of the MTHFR gene and susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: a synthesis of genetic association studies.

PubMed

Zintzaras, Elias; Doxani, Chrysoula; Rodopoulou, Paraskevi; Bakalos, Georgios; Ziogas, Dimitris C; Ziakas, Panayiotis; Voulgarelis, Michael

2012-04-01

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a complex disease with genetic background. The genetic association studies (GAS) that investigated the association between ALL and the MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene variants have produced contradictory or inconclusive results. In order to decrease the uncertainty of estimated genetic risk effects, a meticulous meta-analysis of published GAS related the variants in the MTFHR gene with susceptibility to ALL was conducted. The risk effects were estimated based on the odds ratio (OR) of the allele contrast and the generalized odds ratio (OR(G)). Cumulative and recursive cumulative meta-analyses were also performed. The analysis showed marginal significant association for the C677T variant, overall [OR=0.91 (0.82-1.00) and OR(G)=0.89 (0.79-1.01)], and in Whites [OR=0.88 (0.77-0.99) and OR(G)=0.85 (0.73-0.99)]. The A1298C variant produced non-significant results. For both variants, the cumulative meta-analysis did not show a trend of association as evidence accumulates and the recursive cumulative meta-analysis indicated lack of sufficient evidence for denying or claiming an association. The current evidence is not sufficient to draw definite conclusions regarding the association of MTHFR variants and development of ALL. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association of MTHFR C667T polymorphism with bone mineral density and fracture risk: an updated meta-analysis.

PubMed

Wang, H; Liu, C

2012-11-01

This meta-analysis investigated the association of C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk. The results suggested that C677T polymorphism was marginally associated with fracture risk. In addition, this polymorphism was modestly associated with BMD of lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, and total body, respectively. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been implicated in the regulation of BMD and, thus, may serve as a potential risk factor for the development of fracture. However, results have been inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the association of C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene with BMD and fracture risk. Published literature from PubMed and EMBASE were searched for eligible publications. Pooled odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a fixed- or random-effects model. Twenty studies (3,525 cases and 17,909 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. The TT genotype of C677T polymorphism was marginally associated with an increased risk of fracture under recessive model (TT vs. TC + CC: OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.47). Using this model, similar results were found among East Asians (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.07-1.83), female subpopulation (1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55), cohort studies (OR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.44), and subjects younger than aged 60 years (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.10-2.07). In addition, under homogeneous co-dominant model, there was a modest association of C677T polymorphism with BMD of lumbar spine (WMD = -0.017 g/cm(2); 95%CI, -0.030-(-0.005) g/cm(2)), femoral neck (WMD = -0.010 g/cm(2); 95% CI -0.017-(-0.003) g/cm(2)), total hip (WMD = -0.013 g/cm(2), 95% CI -0.022-(-0.004) g/cm(2)), and total body (WMD = -0.020 g/cm(2); 95% CI -0.027-(-0.013) g/cm(2)), respectively. This meta-analysis suggested that C677T polymorphism was marginally associated with fracture risk. In addition, this polymorphism was

The Integrated Airport: Building a Successful NextGen Testbed

ScienceCinema

Frederick-Recascino, Christina; Sweigard, Doug; Lester, Wade

2018-01-24

This presentation will describe a unique public-private partnership - the Integrated Airport - that was created to engage in research and testing related to NextGen Technology deployment.  NextGen refers to the program that will be initiated to modernize the US National Airspace.  As with any major, multi-decade initiative, such as NextGen, integration of work efforts by multiple partners in the modernization is critical for success.  This talk will focus on the development of the consortium, how the consortium plans for NextGen initiatives, the series of technology demonstrations we have produced and plans for the future of NextGen testing and implementation. 

Factors Influencing Retention of Gen Y and Non-Gen Y Teachers Working at International Schools in Asia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fong, Hoi Wah Benny

2018-01-01

Quantitative studies on international-school teacher retention are few, especially studies that differentiate between Gen Y and non-Gen Y teachers. This article reports on the findings of a study that examined the relationship of job satisfaction factors to the likelihood of contract renewal by international-school teachers. Results from the study…

The Effectiveness of Pemetrexed Monotherapy Depending on Polymorphisms in TS and MTHFR Genes as Well as Clinical Factors in Advanced NSCLC Patients.

PubMed

Kucharczyk, Tomasz; Krawczyk, Paweł; Powrózek, Tomasz; Kowalski, Dariusz M; Ramlau, Rodryg; Kalinka-Warzocha, Ewa; Knetki-Wróblewska, Magdalena; Winiarczyk, Kinga; Krzakowski, Maciej; Milanowski, Janusz

2016-01-01

In NSCLC, second-line chemotherapy using pemetrexed or docetaxel has limited efficacy and should be dedicated to selected groups of patients. Pemetrexed is an antifolate compound with the ability to inhibit enzymes (TS, DHFR and GARFT) involved in pyrimidine and purine synthesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms of TS and MHFR genes and clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed monotherapy. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 72 non-squamous NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed. Using PCR and RFLP methods, the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), the G > C SNP in these repeats and insertion/deletion polymorphism of TS gene as well as 677C > T SNP in MTHFR gene were analyzed and correlated with disease control rate, progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients. Carriers of 2R/3R(G), 3R(C)/3R(G), 3R(G)/3R(G) genotypes showed significantly more frequent early progression than carriers of 2R/2R, 2R/3R(C), 3R(C)/3R(C) genotypes of TS gene (p < 0.05). Among carriers of triple 28 bp tandem repeats (3R) in TS gene and C/C genotype of MTHFR gene a significantly shorter OS was observed (HR = 3.07; p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, significantly higher risk of death was observed in carriers of both 3R/3R genotype in TS and C/C genotype in 677C > T SNP in MTHFR (HR = 3.85; p < 0.005) as well as in patients with short duration of response to first-line chemotherapy (HR = 2.09; p < 0.005). Results of our study suggested that genetic factors may have a high predictive and prognostic value (even greater than clinical factors) for patients treated with pemetrexed monotherapy.

J3Gen: A PRNG for Low-Cost Passive RFID

PubMed Central

Melià-Seguí, Joan; Garcia-Alfaro, Joaquin; Herrera-Joancomartí, Jordi

2013-01-01

Pseudorandom number generation (PRNG) is the main security tool in low-cost passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies, such as EPC Gen2. We present a lightweight PRNG design for low-cost passive RFID tags, named J3Gen. J3Gen is based on a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) configured with multiple feedback polynomials. The polynomials are alternated during the generation of sequences via a physical source of randomness. J3Gen successfully handles the inherent linearity of LFSR based PRNGs and satisfies the statistical requirements imposed by the EPC Gen2 standard. A hardware implementation of J3Gen is presented and evaluated with regard to different design parameters, defining the key-equivalence security and nonlinearity of the design. The results of a SPICE simulation confirm the power-consumption suitability of the proposal. PMID:23519344

CBS mutations and MTFHR SNPs causative of hyperhomocysteinemia in Pakistani children.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Shahnaz; Maqbool, Saadia; Azam, Maleeha; Iqbal, Mohammad Perwaiz; Qamar, Raheel

2018-03-29

Three index patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and ocular anomalies were screened for cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms. Genotyping of hyperhomocysteinemia associated MTHFR polymorphisms C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131) was done by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Sanger sequencing was performed for CBS exonic sequences along with consensus splice sites. In the case of MTHFR polymorphisms, all the patients were heterozygous CT for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C677T and were therefore carriers of the risk allele (T), while the patients were homozygous CC for the risk genotype of the SNP A1298C. CBS sequencing resulted in the identification of two novel mutations, a missense change (c.467T>C; p.Leu156Pro) in exon 7 and an in-frame deletion (c.808_810del; p.Glu270del) in exon 10. In addition, a recurrent missense mutation (c.770C>T; p.Thr257Met) in exon 10 of the gene was also identified. The mutations were present homozygously in the patients and were inherited from the carrier parents. This is the first report from Pakistan where novel as well as recurrent CBS mutations causing hyperhomocysteinemia and lens dislocation in three patients from different families are being reported with the predicted effect of the risk allele of the MTHFR SNP in causing hyperhomocysteinemia.

The association of factor V G1961A (factor V Leiden), prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss in Bosnian women.

PubMed

Jusić, Amela; Balić, Devleta; Avdić, Aldijana; Pođanin, Maja; Balić, Adem

2018-08-01

Aim To investigate association of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss in Bosnian women. Methods A total of 60 women with two or more consecutive miscarriages before 20 weeks of gestation with the same partners and without history of known causes or recurrent pregnancy loss were included. A control group included 80 healthy women who had one or more successful pregnancies without history of any complication which could be associated with miscarriages. Genotyping of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms were performed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragments length polymorphism method (PCR/RFLP). Results Both factor V Leiden and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms were significantly associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Bosnian women while prothrombin G20210A and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms did not show strongly significant association. Conclusion The presence of thrombophilic polymorphisms may predispose women to recurrent pregnancy loss. Future investigation should be addressed in order to find when carriers of those mutations, polymorphisms should be treated with anticoagulant therapy. Copyright© by the Medical Assotiation of Zenica-Doboj Canton.

Do polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene affect the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

PubMed

Pereira, Tiago Veiga; Rudnicki, Martina; Pereira, Alexandre Costa; Pombo-de-Oliveira, Maria S; Franco, Rendrik França

2006-01-01

Meta-analysis has become an important statistical tool in genetic association studies, since it may provide more powerful and precise estimates. However, meta-analytic studies are prone to several potential biases not only because the preferential publication of "positive'' studies but also due to difficulties in obtaining all relevant information during the study selection process. In this letter, we point out major problems in meta-analysis that may lead to biased conclusions, illustrating an empirical example of two recent meta-analyses on the relation between MTHFR polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia that, despite the similarity in statistical methods and period of study selection, provided partially conflicting results.

Dedicated Caravan Sites for French Gens du Voyage

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Abstract In France, gens du voyage (“people who travel” or “travellers”) is a term used by the government to categorize various itinerant populations, the majority of which are diverse Romani groups. People categorized as gens du voyage are legally required to reside in particular locations called “dedicated caravan sites.” Parliamentary debates about these dedicated caravan sites have clarified that one of the objectives of such sites is to help fulfill the gens du voyage’s right to health. However, there is a significant gap between the officially stated goals of such sites and the reality of life within them. This paper draws on research finding that the conditions in most dedicated caravan sites do not conform with the rights of gens du voyage to acceptable sanitary conditions and other underlying determinants of health. PMID:29302165

MTHFR, TS and XRCC1 genetic variants may affect survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes treated with supportive care or azacitidine.

PubMed

Visani, G; Loscocco, F; Ruzzo, A; Galimberti, S; Graziano, F; Voso, M T; Giacomini, E; Finelli, C; Ciabatti, E; Fabiani, E; Barulli, S; Volpe, A; Magro, D; Piccaluga, P; Fuligni, F; Vignetti, M; Fazi, P; Piciocchi, A; Gabucci, E; Rocchi, M; Magnani, M; Isidori, A

2017-12-05

We evaluated the impact of genomic polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing, DNA synthesis and DNA repair enzymes on the clinical outcome of 108 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) receiving best supportive care (BSC) or azacitidine. A statistically significant association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677T/T, thymidylate synthase (TS) 5'-untranslated region (UTR) 3RG, TS 3'-UTR -6 bp/-6 bp, XRCC1 399G/G genotypes and short survival was found in patients receiving BSC by multivariate analysis (P<0.001; P=0.026; P=0.058; P=0.024). MTHFR 677T/T, TS 3'-UTR -6 bp/-6 bp and XRCC1 399G/G genotypes were associated with short survival in patients receiving azacitidine by multivariate analysis (P<0.001; P=0.004; P=0.002). We then performed an exploratory analysis to evaluate the effect of the simultaneous presence of multiple adverse variant genotypes. Interestingly, patients with ⩾1 adverse genetic variants had a short survival, independently from their International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and therapy received. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing pathway, DNA synthesis and DNA repair genes could influence survival of MDS patients.The Pharmacogenomics Journal advance online publication, 5 December 2017; doi:10.1038/tpj.2017.48.

Homocysteine and Coronary Heart Disease: Meta-analysis of MTHFR Case-Control Studies, Avoiding Publication Bias

PubMed Central

Verhoef, Petra; Dötsch-Klerk, Mariska; Lathrop, Mark; Xu, Peng; Nordestgaard, Børge G.; Holm, Hilma; Hopewell, Jemma C.; Saleheen, Danish; Tanaka, Toshihiro; Anand, Sonia S.; Chambers, John C.; Kleber, Marcus E.; Ouwehand, Willem H.; Yamada, Yoshiji; Elbers, Clara; Peters, Bas; Stewart, Alexandre F. R.; Reilly, Muredach M.; Thorand, Barbara; Yusuf, Salim; Engert, James C.; Assimes, Themistocles L.; Kooner, Jaspal; Danesh, John; Watkins, Hugh; Samani, Nilesh J.

2012-01-01

Background Moderately elevated blood levels of homocysteine are weakly correlated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, but causality remains uncertain. When folate levels are low, the TT genotype of the common C677T polymorphism (rs1801133) of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) appreciably increases homocysteine levels, so “Mendelian randomization” studies using this variant as an instrumental variable could help test causality. Methods and Findings Nineteen unpublished datasets were obtained (total 48,175 CHD cases and 67,961 controls) in which multiple genetic variants had been measured, including MTHFR C677T. These datasets did not include measurements of blood homocysteine, but homocysteine levels would be expected to be about 20% higher with TT than with CC genotype in the populations studied. In meta-analyses of these unpublished datasets, the case-control CHD odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI comparing TT versus CC homozygotes was 1.02 (0.98–1.07; p = 0.28) overall, and 1.01 (0.95–1.07) in unsupplemented low-folate populations. By contrast, in a slightly updated meta-analysis of the 86 published studies (28,617 CHD cases and 41,857 controls), the OR was 1.15 (1.09–1.21), significantly discrepant (p = 0.001) with the OR in the unpublished datasets. Within the meta-analysis of published studies, the OR was 1.12 (1.04–1.21) in the 14 larger studies (those with variance of log OR<0.05; total 13,119 cases) and 1.18 (1.09–1.28) in the 72 smaller ones (total 15,498 cases). Conclusions The CI for the overall result from large unpublished datasets shows lifelong moderate homocysteine elevation has little or no effect on CHD. The discrepant overall result from previously published studies reflects publication bias or methodological problems. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary PMID:22363213

Next Gen One Portal Usability Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cross, E. V., III; Perera, J. S.; Hanson, A. M.; English, K.; Vu, L.; Amonette, W.

2018-01-01

Each exercise device on the International Space Station (ISS) has a unique, customized software system interface with unique layouts / hierarchy, and operational principles that require significant crew training. Furthermore, the software programs are not adaptable and provide no real-time feedback or motivation to enhance the exercise experience and/or prevent injuries. Additionally, the graphical user interfaces (GUI) of these systems present information through multiple layers resulting in difficulty navigating to the desired screens and functions. These limitations of current exercise device GUI's lead to increased crew time spent on initiating, loading, performing exercises, logging data and exiting the system. To address these limitations a Next Generation One Portal (NextGen One Portal) Crew Countermeasure System (CMS) was developed, which utilizes the latest industry guidelines in GUI designs to provide an intuitive ease of use approach (i.e., 80% of the functionality gained within 5-10 minutes of initial use without/limited formal training required). This is accomplished by providing a consistent interface using common software to reduce crew training, increase efficiency & user satisfaction while also reducing development & maintenance costs. Results from the usability evaluations showed the NextGen One Portal UI having greater efficiency, learnability, memorability, usability and overall user experience than the current Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) UI used by astronauts on ISS. Specifically, the design of the One-Portal UI as an app interface similar to those found on the Apple and Google's App Store, assisted many of the participants in grasping the concepts of the interface with minimum training. Although the NextGen One-Portal UI was shown to be an overall better interface, observations by the test facilitators noted specific exercise tasks appeared to have a significant impact on the NextGen One-Portal UI efficiency. Future updates to

Hyperhomocysteinemia and MTHFR polymorphisms as antenatal risk factors of white matter abnormalities in two cohorts of late preterm and full term newborns.

PubMed

Marseglia, Lucia M; Nicotera, Antonio; Salpietro, Vincenzo; Giaimo, Elisa; Cardile, Giovanna; Bonsignore, Maria; Alibrandi, Angela; Caccamo, Daniela; Manti, Sara; D'Angelo, Gabriella; Mamì, Carmelo; Di Rosa, Gabriella

2015-01-01

Higher total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, and C677T and A1298C methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) polymorphisms, have been reported in preterm or full term newborns with neonatal encephalopathy following perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult. This study investigated the causal role of tHcy and MTHFR polymorphisms together with other acquired risk factors on the occurrence of brain white matter abnormalities (WMA) detected by cranial ultrasound scans (cUS) in a population of late preterm and full term infants. A total of 171 newborns (81 M, 47.4%), 45 (26.3%) born <37 wks, and 126 (73.7%) born ≥37 wks were recruited in the study. cUS detected predominant WMA pattern in 36/171 newborns (21.1%) mainly characterized by abnormal periventricular white matter signal and mild-to-moderate periventricular white matter volume loss with ventricular dilatation (6/36, 16.6%). WMA resulted in being depending on tHcy levels (P < 0.014), lower GA (P < 0.000), lower Apgar score at 1 minutes (P < 0.000) and 5 minutes (P < 0.000), and 1298AC and 677CT/1298AC genotypes (P < 0.000 and P < 0.000). In conclusion, both acquired and genetic predisposing antenatal factors were significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcome and WMA. The role of A1298C polymorphism may be taken into account for prenatal assessment and treatment counseling.

MTHFR c.677C>T is a risk factor for non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Chile.

PubMed

Ramírez-Chau, C; Blanco, R; Colombo, A; Pardo, R; Suazo, J

2016-10-01

The functional variant within the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene c.677C>T, producing alterations in folate metabolism, has been associated with the risk of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). We assessed this association in a Chilean population using a combined analysis of case-control and case-parent trio samples. Samples of 165 cases and 291 controls and 121 case-parent trios (sharing the cases) were genotyped. Odds ratio (OR) was estimated for case-control (allele and genotype frequency differences), and this result was confirmed by allele transmission distortion in trios. Due to that these samples are not independent, a combined OR was also computed. Maternal genotype effect was additionally evaluated based on a log-linear method. Borderline but not significant OR (1.28; CI 0.97-1.69) was observed for risk allele (T) in the case-control sample. However, triad sample showed a significant association (OR 1.56: CI 1.09-2.25) which was confirmed by the combined OR (1.37; CI 1.11-1.71). Maternal genotype has been also associated with the phenotype (P = 0.002). In contrast to previous reports considering Chilean subjects, our results demonstrated that the offspring and maternal genotypes for MTHFR c.677C>T variant are strongly associated with NSCL/P in this Chilean population. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A hybrid stochastic model of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism: Effect of the common C677T MTHFR variant on de novo thymidylate biosynthesis.

PubMed

Misselbeck, Karla; Marchetti, Luca; Field, Martha S; Scotti, Marco; Priami, Corrado; Stover, Patrick J

2017-04-11

Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) is an interconnected network of metabolic pathways, including those required for the de novo synthesis of dTMP and purine nucleotides and for remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Mouse models of folate-responsive neural tube defects (NTDs) indicate that impaired de novo thymidylate (dTMP) synthesis through changes in SHMT expression is causative in folate-responsive NTDs. We have created a hybrid computational model comprised of ordinary differential equations and stochastic simulation. We investigated whether the de novo dTMP synthesis pathway was sensitive to perturbations in FOCM that are known to be associated with human NTDs. This computational model shows that de novo dTMP synthesis is highly sensitive to the common MTHFR C677T polymorphism and that the effect of the polymorphism on FOCM is greater in folate deficiency. Computational simulations indicate that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and folate deficiency interact to increase the stochastic behavior of the FOCM network, with the greatest instability observed for reactions catalyzed by serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT). Furthermore, we show that de novo dTMP synthesis does not occur in the cytosol at rates sufficient for DNA replication, supporting empirical data indicating that impaired nuclear de novo dTMP synthesis results in uracil misincorporation into DNA.

Hand-held optical imager (Gen-2): improved instrumentation and target detectability

PubMed Central

Gonzalez, Jean; DeCerce, Joseph; Erickson, Sarah J.; Martinez, Sergio L.; Nunez, Annie; Roman, Manuela; Traub, Barbara; Flores, Cecilia A.; Roberts, Seigbeh M.; Hernandez, Estrella; Aguirre, Wenceslao; Kiszonas, Richard

2012-01-01

Abstract. Hand-held optical imagers are developed by various researchers towards reflectance-based spectroscopic imaging of breast cancer. Recently, a Gen-1 handheld optical imager was developed with capabilities to perform two-dimensional (2-D) spectroscopic as well as three-dimensional (3-D) tomographic imaging studies. However, the imager was bulky with poor surface contact (∼30%) along curved tissues, and limited sensitivity to detect targets consistently. Herein, a Gen-2 hand-held optical imager that overcame the above limitations of the Gen-1 imager has been developed and the instrumentation described. The Gen-2 hand-held imager is less bulky, portable, and has improved surface contact (∼86%) on curved tissues. Additionally, the forked probe head design is capable of simultaneous bilateral reflectance imaging of both breast tissues, and also transillumination imaging of a single breast tissue. Experimental studies were performed on tissue phantoms to demonstrate the improved sensitivity in detecting targets using the Gen-2 imager. The improved instrumentation of the Gen-2 imager allowed detection of targets independent of their location with respect to the illumination points, unlike in Gen-1 imager. The developed imager has potential for future clinical breast imaging with enhanced sensitivity, via both reflectance and transillumination imaging. PMID:23224163

Distributed Generation Market Demand Model (dGen): Documentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sigrin, Benjamin; Gleason, Michael; Preus, Robert

The Distributed Generation Market Demand model (dGen) is a geospatially rich, bottom-up, market-penetration model that simulates the potential adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) for residential, commercial, and industrial entities in the continental United States through 2050. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed dGen to analyze the key factors that will affect future market demand for distributed solar, wind, storage, and other DER technologies in the United States. The new model builds off, extends, and replaces NREL's SolarDS model (Denholm et al. 2009a), which simulates the market penetration of distributed PV only. Unlike the SolarDS model, dGen can modelmore » various DER technologies under one platform--it currently can simulate the adoption of distributed solar (the dSolar module) and distributed wind (the dWind module) and link with the ReEDS capacity expansion model (Appendix C). The underlying algorithms and datasets in dGen, which improve the representation of customer decision making as well as the spatial resolution of analyses (Figure ES-1), also are improvements over SolarDS.« less

Recommendations and Requirements for GenCade Simluations

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

sand transport model, GenCade. It is considered as a companion report to the first report in the GenCade series, Frey et al. (2012a), and provides...of output in *.slo (data extend both downward and to the right). .................. 31 Figure 20. Example of output for transport rates...shoreline (in red) and the transport rate at the beginning of the simulation (in blue). The initial shoreline position is shown in black. a

Farewell to the Chairman - Marine Gen. Peter Pace

Science.gov Websites

oath of office from Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who retired after more than 40 years active duty military wife Lynne after giving the general his retirement certificate. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A solutions, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said here today as he retired from the Marine Corps after more than 40

77 FR 54648 - Seventh Meeting: RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-05

...' license/State-issued ID Card Number and State of Issuance Company Phone number contact Non-U.S. Citizens... can be used for NextGen Metrics Data Sources for Measuring NextGen Fuel Impact A discussion of a preliminary report on a critical data source to track and analyze the impact of NextGen Non-Technical Barriers...

From AWE-GEN to AWE-GEN-2d: a high spatial and temporal resolution weather generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peleg, Nadav; Fatichi, Simone; Paschalis, Athanasios; Molnar, Peter; Burlando, Paolo

2016-04-01

A new weather generator, AWE-GEN-2d (Advanced WEather GENerator for 2-Dimension grid) is developed following the philosophy of combining physical and stochastic approaches to simulate meteorological variables at high spatial and temporal resolution (e.g. 2 km x 2 km and 5 min for precipitation and cloud cover and 100 m x 100 m and 1 h for other variables variable (temperature, solar radiation, vapor pressure, atmospheric pressure and near-surface wind). The model is suitable to investigate the impacts of climate variability, temporal and spatial resolutions of forcing on hydrological, ecological, agricultural and geomorphological impacts studies. Using appropriate parameterization the model can be used in the context of climate change. Here we present the model technical structure of AWE-GEN-2d, which is a substantial evolution of four preceding models (i) the hourly-point scale Advanced WEather GENerator (AWE-GEN) presented by Fatichi et al. (2011, Adv. Water Resour.) (ii) the Space-Time Realizations of Areal Precipitation (STREAP) model introduced by Paschalis et al. (2013, Water Resour. Res.), (iii) the High-Resolution Synoptically conditioned Weather Generator developed by Peleg and Morin (2014, Water Resour. Res.), and (iv) the Wind-field Interpolation by Non Divergent Schemes presented by Burlando et al. (2007, Boundary-Layer Meteorol.). The AWE-GEN-2d is relatively parsimonious in terms of computational demand and allows generating many stochastic realizations of current and projected climates in an efficient way. An example of model application and testing is presented with reference to a case study in the Wallis region, a complex orography terrain in the Swiss Alps.

75 FR 56654 - RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-16

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) SUMMARY: The FAA published a Notice in the Federal Register on September 3, 2010 (75-FR-54221...

A Comparison of the Single-sided (Gen II) and Double-sided (Gen I) Combat Arms Earplugs (CAE): Acoustic Properties, Human Performance, and User Acceptance

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

results of steady-state and impulse noise attenuation objective and real-ear measurements; localization and speech intelligibility human performance... Intelligibility 12 6.1 Method...12 Figure 8. Speech intelligibility testing of Gen I CAE and Gen II CAE

GenSSI 2.0: multi-experiment structural identifiability analysis of SBML models.

PubMed

Ligon, Thomas S; Fröhlich, Fabian; Chis, Oana T; Banga, Julio R; Balsa-Canto, Eva; Hasenauer, Jan

2018-04-15

Mathematical modeling using ordinary differential equations is used in systems biology to improve the understanding of dynamic biological processes. The parameters of ordinary differential equation models are usually estimated from experimental data. To analyze a priori the uniqueness of the solution of the estimation problem, structural identifiability analysis methods have been developed. We introduce GenSSI 2.0, an advancement of the software toolbox GenSSI (Generating Series for testing Structural Identifiability). GenSSI 2.0 is the first toolbox for structural identifiability analysis to implement Systems Biology Markup Language import, state/parameter transformations and multi-experiment structural identifiability analysis. In addition, GenSSI 2.0 supports a range of MATLAB versions and is computationally more efficient than its previous version, enabling the analysis of more complex models. GenSSI 2.0 is an open-source MATLAB toolbox and available at https://github.com/genssi-developer/GenSSI. thomas.ligon@physik.uni-muenchen.de or jan.hasenauer@helmholtz-muenchen.de. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

25 Years of GenBank

MedlinePlus

... this page please turn Javascript on. Unique DNA database has helped advance scientific discoveries worldwide Since its origin 25 years ago, the database of nucleic acid sequences known as GenBank has ...

Optimal time travel in the Gödel universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Natário, José

2012-04-01

Using the theory of optimal rocket trajectories in general relativity, recently developed in Henriques and Natário (2011), we present a candidate for the minimum total integrated acceleration closed timelike curve in the Gödel universe, and give evidence for its minimality. The total integrated acceleration of this curve is lower than Malament's conjectured value (Malament 1984), as was already implicit in the work of Manchak (Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 51-60, 2011); however, Malament's conjecture does seem to hold for periodic closed timelike curves.

High-dose folic acid supplementation alters the human sperm methylome and is influenced by the MTHFR C677T polymorphism

PubMed Central

Aarabi, Mahmoud; San Gabriel, Maria C.; Chan, Donovan; Behan, Nathalie A.; Caron, Maxime; Pastinen, Tomi; Bourque, Guillaume; MacFarlane, Amanda J.; Zini, Armand; Trasler, Jacquetta

2015-01-01

Dietary folate is a major source of methyl groups required for DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that is actively maintained and remodeled during spermatogenesis. While high-dose folic acid supplementation (up to 10 times the daily recommended dose) has been shown to improve sperm parameters in infertile men, the effects of supplementation on the sperm epigenome are unknown. To assess the impact of 6 months of high-dose folic acid supplementation on the sperm epigenome, we studied 30 men with idiopathic infertility. Blood folate concentrations increased significantly after supplementation with no significant improvements in sperm parameters. Methylation levels of the differentially methylated regions of several imprinted loci (H19, DLK1/GTL2, MEST, SNRPN, PLAGL1, KCNQ1OT1) were normal both before and after supplementation. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) revealed a significant global loss of methylation across different regions of the sperm genome. The most marked loss of DNA methylation was found in sperm from patients homozygous for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, a common polymorphism in a key enzyme required for folate metabolism. RRBS analysis also showed that most of the differentially methylated tiles were located in DNA repeats, low CpG-density and intergenic regions. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that methylation of promoter regions was altered in several genes involved in cancer and neurobehavioral disorders including CBFA2T3, PTPN6, COL18A1, ALDH2, UBE4B, ERBB2, GABRB3, CNTNAP4 and NIPA1. Our data reveal alterations of the human sperm epigenome associated with high-dose folic acid supplementation, effects that were exacerbated by a common polymorphism in MTHFR. PMID:26307085

75 FR 54221 - RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-03

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC... (NAC). SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). DATES: The meeting will be held September 23, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m...

DOE/NNSA perspective safeguard by design: GEN III/III+ light water reactors and beyond

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pan, Paul Y

2010-12-10

An overview of key issues relevant to safeguards by design (SBD) for GEN III/IV nuclear reactors is provided. Lessons learned from construction of typical GEN III+ water reactors with respect to SBD are highlighted. Details of SBD for safeguards guidance development for GEN III/III+ light water reactors are developed and reported. This paper also identifies technical challenges to extend SBD including proliferation resistance methodologies to other GEN III/III+ reactors (except HWRs) and GEN IV reactors because of their immaturity in designs.

Towards an International Culture: Gen Y Students and SNS?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lichy, Jessica

2012-01-01

This article reports the findings of a small-scale investigation into the Internet user behaviour of generation Y (Gen Y) students, with particular reference to social networking sites. The study adds to the literature on cross-cultural Internet user behaviour with specific reference to Gen Y and social networking. It compares how a cohort of…

Introducing AstroGen: the Astronomy Genealogy Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tenn, Joseph S.

2016-12-01

The Astronomy Genealogy Project (AstroGen), a project of the Historical Astronomy Division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), will soon appear on the AAS website. Ultimately, it will list the world's astronomers with their highest degrees, theses for those who wrote them, academic advisors (supervisors), universities, and links to the astronomers or their obituaries, their theses when online, and more. At present the AstroGen team is working on those who earned doctorates with astronomy-related theses. We show what can be learned already, with just ten countries essentially completed.

An electronic flight bag for NextGen avionics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zelazo, D. Eyton

2012-06-01

The introduction of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) initiative by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will impose new requirements for cockpit avionics. A similar program is also taking place in Europe by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) called the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) initiative. NextGen will require aircraft to utilize Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) in/out technology, requiring substantial changes to existing cockpit display systems. There are two ways that aircraft operators can upgrade their aircraft in order to utilize ADS-B technology. The first is to replace existing primary flight displays with new displays that are ADS-B compatible. The second, less costly approach is to install an advanced Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) system. The installation of Class 3 EFBs in the cockpit will allow aircraft operators to utilize ADS-B technology in a lesser amount of time with a decreased cost of implementation and will provide additional benefits to the operator. This paper describes a Class 3 EFB, the NexisTM Flight-Intelligence System, which has been designed to allow users a direct interface with NextGen avionics sensors while additionally providing the pilot with all the necessary information to meet NextGen requirements.

Safety Assurance in NextGen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

HarrisonFleming, Cody; Spencer, Melissa; Leveson, Nancy; Wilkinson, Chris

2012-01-01

The generation of minimum operational, safety, performance, and interoperability requirements is an important aspect of safely integrating new NextGen components into the Communication Navigation Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system. These requirements are used as part of the implementation and approval processes. In addition, they provide guidance to determine the levels of design assurance and performance that are needed for each element of the new NextGen procedures, including aircraft, operator, and Air Navigation and Service Provider. Using the enhanced Airborne Traffic Situational Awareness for InTrail Procedure (ATSA-ITP) as an example, this report describes some limitations of the current process used for generating safety requirements and levels of required design assurance. An alternative process is described, as well as the argument for why the alternative can generate more comprehensive requirements and greater safety assurance than the current approach.

APOE, MTHFR, LDLR and ACE polymorphisms among Angami and Lotha Naga populations of Nagaland, India.

PubMed

Murry, Benrithung; Vakha, Neikethono; Achoubi, Nongthombam; Sachdeva, M P; Saraswathy, K N

2011-12-01

Several common polymorphisms in the ApoE, ACE, MTHFR and LDLR genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of common complex diseases across world populations. This study investigates the prevalence of five known and clinically important common polymorphisms in Angami and Lotha Naga populations. A total of 112 unrelated healthy volunteers (52 Lotha Nagas and 60 Angami Nagas) participated in the study. All the five genes were found to be polymorphic in the studied populations. The Lotha Nagas displayed higher mutant allele frequencies than the Angami Nagas except for the T allele frequency of the AvaII polymorphism of the LDLR gene, though chi square did not reveal any significant population differences by genotypes. In view of the relatively high mutant allele frequencies in both the populations, they are likely to be at a high risk of developing various complex diseases as they shift from an active and rigorous lifestyle to a more sedentary one.

The MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an updated meta-analysis based on 37 case-control studies.

PubMed

Jiang, Yuan; Hou, Jing; Zhang, Qiang; Jia, Shu-Ting; Wang, Bo-Yuan; Zhang, Ji-Hong; Tang, Wen-Ru; Luo, Ying

2013-01-01

The C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has been associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, results were conflicting. The aim of this study was to quantitatively summarize the evidence for the MTHFRC677T polymorphism and ALL risk. Electronic searches of PubMed and the Chinese Biomedicine database were conducted to select case-control studies containing available genotype frequencies of C677T and the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of any association. Case-control studies including 6,371 cases and 10,850 controls were identified. The meta-analysis stratified by ethnicity showed that individuals with the homozygous TT genotype had decreased risk of ALL (OR= 0.776, 95% CI: 0.687~0.877, p< 0.001) in Caucasians (OR= 0.715, 95% CI: 0.655~0.781, p= 0.000). However, results among Asians (OR=0.711, 95% CI: 0.591~1.005, p= 0.055) and others (OR=0.913, 95% CI: 0.656~1.271, p= 0. 590) did not suggest an association. A symmetric funnel plot, the Egger's test (P=0.093), and the Begg- test (P=0.072) were all suggestive of the lack of publication bias. This meta-analysis supports the idea that the MTHFR C677T genotype is associated with risk of ALL in Caucasians. To draw comprehensive and true conclusions, further prospective studies with larger numbers of participants worldwide are needed to examine associations between the MTHFRC677T polymorphism and ALL.

TrafficGen Architecture Document

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

sequence diagram ....................................................5 Fig. 5 TrafficGen traffic flows viewed in SDT3D...Scripts contain commands to have the network node listen on specific ports and flows describing the start time, stop time, and specific traffic ...arranged vertically and time presented horizontally. Individual traffic flows are represented by horizontal bars indicating the start time, stop time

High-dose folic acid supplementation alters the human sperm methylome and is influenced by the MTHFR C677T polymorphism.

PubMed

Aarabi, Mahmoud; San Gabriel, Maria C; Chan, Donovan; Behan, Nathalie A; Caron, Maxime; Pastinen, Tomi; Bourque, Guillaume; MacFarlane, Amanda J; Zini, Armand; Trasler, Jacquetta

2015-11-15

Dietary folate is a major source of methyl groups required for DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that is actively maintained and remodeled during spermatogenesis. While high-dose folic acid supplementation (up to 10 times the daily recommended dose) has been shown to improve sperm parameters in infertile men, the effects of supplementation on the sperm epigenome are unknown. To assess the impact of 6 months of high-dose folic acid supplementation on the sperm epigenome, we studied 30 men with idiopathic infertility. Blood folate concentrations increased significantly after supplementation with no significant improvements in sperm parameters. Methylation levels of the differentially methylated regions of several imprinted loci (H19, DLK1/GTL2, MEST, SNRPN, PLAGL1, KCNQ1OT1) were normal both before and after supplementation. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) revealed a significant global loss of methylation across different regions of the sperm genome. The most marked loss of DNA methylation was found in sperm from patients homozygous for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, a common polymorphism in a key enzyme required for folate metabolism. RRBS analysis also showed that most of the differentially methylated tiles were located in DNA repeats, low CpG-density and intergenic regions. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that methylation of promoter regions was altered in several genes involved in cancer and neurobehavioral disorders including CBFA2T3, PTPN6, COL18A1, ALDH2, UBE4B, ERBB2, GABRB3, CNTNAP4 and NIPA1. Our data reveal alterations of the human sperm epigenome associated with high-dose folic acid supplementation, effects that were exacerbated by a common polymorphism in MTHFR. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase genotypes and risk of acute graft-versus-host disease following hematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

PubMed

Robien, Kim; Bigler, Jeannette; Yasui, Yutaka; Potter, John D; Martin, Paul; Storb, Rainer; Ulrich, Cornelia M

2006-09-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) play key roles in intracellular folate metabolism. Polymorphisms in these enzymes have been shown to modify toxicity of methotrexate (MTX) after hematopoietic cell transplantation. In this study, we evaluated the risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with genetic variation in recipient and donor MTHFR and TS genotypes to assess whether genotype alters the efficacy of MTX in acute GVHD prophylaxis. Data on the transplantation course were abstracted from medical records for 304 adults who received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants. MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and TS (enhancer-region 28-base pair repeat, TSER, and 1494del6) genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism and TaqMan assays. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations between genotypes and risk of acute GVHD. Compared with recipients with the wild-type MTHFR 677CC genotype, those with the variant 677T allele showed a decreased risk of detectable acute GVHD (677CT: odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.6; 677TT: odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.8; P for trend = .01). The variant MTHFR 1298C allele in recipients was associated with an increased risk of acute GVHD compared with the wild-type MTHFR 1298AA genotype (1298AC: odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.9; 1298CC: odds ratio, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-12.7; P for trend < .01). No association with risk of acute GVHD was observed for donor MTHFR genotypes or for recipient or donor TS genotypes, with the exception of an increase in acute GVHD among recipients whose donors had the TSER 3R/2R genotype (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.2). These findings indicate that host, but not donor, MTHFR genotypes modify the risk of acute GVHD in recipients receiving MTX, in a manner consistent with our previously reported associations

A Virtual Reality Framework to Optimize Design, Operation and Refueling of GEN-IV Reactors.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rizwan-uddin; Nick Karancevic; Stefano Markidis

2008-04-23

many GEN-IV candidate designs are currently under investigation. Technical issues related to material, safety and economics are being addressed at research laboratories, industry and in academia. After safety, economic feasibility is likely to be the most important crterion in the success of GEN-IV design(s). Lessons learned from the designers and operators of GEN-II (and GEN-III) reactors must play a vital role in achieving both safety and economic feasibility goals.

The natural history of cutaneous propionibacteria, and reclassification of selected species within the genus Propionibacterium to the proposed novel genera Acidipropionibacterium gen. nov., Cutibacterium gen. nov. and Pseudopropionibacterium gen. nov.

PubMed

Scholz, Christian F P; Kilian, Mogens

2016-11-01

The genus Propionibacterium in the family Propionibacteriaceaeconsists of species of various habitats, including mature cheese, cattle rumen and human skin. Traditionally, these species have been grouped as either classical or cutaneous propionibacteria based on characteristic phenotypes and source of isolation. To re-evaluate the taxonomy of the family and to elucidate the interspecies relatedness we compared 162 public whole-genome sequences of strains representing species of the family Propionibacteriaceae. We found substantial discrepancies between the phylogenetic signals of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and our high-resolution core-genome analysis. To accommodate these discrepancies, and to address the long-standing issue of the taxonomically problematic Propionibacterium propionicum, we propose three novel genera, Acidipropionibacterium gen. nov., Cutibacterium gen. nov. and Pseudopropionibacterium gen. nov., and an amended description of the genus Propionibacterium. Furthermore, our genome-based analyses support the amounting evidence that the subdivision of Propionibacterium freudenreichii into subspecies is not warranted. Our proposals are supported by phylogenetic analyses, DNA G+C content, peptidoglycan composition and patterns of the gene losses and acquisitions in the cutaneous propionibacteria during their adaptation to the human host.

Back to the FutureGen?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Buchsbaum, L.

2009-04-15

After years of political wrangling, Democrats may green-light the experimental clean coal power plants. The article relates how the project came to be curtailed, how Senator Dick Durbin managed to protect $134 million in funding for FutureGen in Mattoon, and how once Obama was in office a $2 billion line item to fund a 'near zero emissions power plant(s)' was placed in the Senate version of the Stimulus Bill. The final version of the legislation cut the funding to $1 billion for 'fossil energy research and development'. In December 2008 the FutureGen Alliance and the City of Mattoon spent $6.5more » billion to purchase the plants eventual 440 acre site. A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said that Bush's inaction may have set back clean coal technology in the US by as much as a decade. If additional funding comes through construction of the plant could start in 2010. 1 fig., 1 photo.« less

GenColors: annotation and comparative genomics of prokaryotes made easy.

PubMed

Romualdi, Alessandro; Felder, Marius; Rose, Dominic; Gausmann, Ulrike; Schilhabel, Markus; Glöckner, Gernot; Platzer, Matthias; Sühnel, Jürgen

2007-01-01

GenColors (gencolors.fli-leibniz.de) is a new web-based software/database system aimed at an improved and accelerated annotation of prokaryotic genomes considering information on related genomes and making extensive use of genome comparison. It offers a seamless integration of data from ongoing sequencing projects and annotated genomic sequences obtained from GenBank. A variety of export/import filters manages an effective data flow from sequence assembly and manipulation programs (e.g., GAP4) to GenColors and back as well as to standard GenBank file(s). The genome comparison tools include best bidirectional hits, gene conservation, syntenies, and gene core sets. Precomputed UniProt matches allow annotation and analysis in an effective manner. In addition to these analysis options, base-specific quality data (coverage and confidence) can also be handled if available. The GenColors system can be used both for annotation purposes in ongoing genome projects and as an analysis tool for finished genomes. GenColors comes in two types, as dedicated genome browsers and as the Jena Prokaryotic Genome Viewer (JPGV). Dedicated genome browsers contain genomic information on a set of related genomes and offer a large number of options for genome comparison. The system has been efficiently used in the genomic sequencing of Borrelia garinii and is currently applied to various ongoing genome projects on Borrelia, Legionella, Escherichia, and Pseudomonas genomes. One of these dedicated browsers, the Spirochetes Genome Browser (sgb.fli-leibniz.de) with Borrelia, Leptospira, and Treponema genomes, is freely accessible. The others will be released after finalization of the corresponding genome projects. JPGV (jpgv.fli-leibniz.de) offers information on almost all finished bacterial genomes, as compared to the dedicated browsers with reduced genome comparison functionality, however. As of January 2006, this viewer includes 632 genomic elements (e.g., chromosomes and plasmids) of 293

CottonGen: a genomics, genetics and breeding database for cotton research

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

CottonGen (http://www.cottongen.org) is a curated and integrated web-based relational database providing access to publicly available genomic, genetic and breeding data for cotton. CottonGen supercedes CottonDB and the Cotton Marker Database, with enhanced tools for easier data sharing, mining, vis...

NextGen Home Sperm Banking Kit: Outcomes of Offsite vs Onsite Collection--Preliminary Findings.

PubMed

Agarwal, Ashok; Sharma, Reecha; Gupta, Sajal; Sharma, Rakesh

2015-06-01

To compare cryosurvival rates between remote collections with NextGen kit (offsite) and onsite collection of semen samples from infertile men and those with cancer. Prefreeze and post-thaw sperm motility, total motile sperm, and percent cryosurvival rates were compared between samples collected from infertile men onsite at the Andrology Center (n = 10) and samples collected from infertile patients at home (offsite; n = 9), which were shipped by NextGen to our laboratory. A second group (n = 17) consisted of 10 semen samples from cancer patients collected onsite, which were compared with 7 semen samples from cancer patients shipped by the NextGen. All semen samples were assessed within 18 hours of collection. In the infertile men, percent cryosurvival rates were similar with NextGen compared with those of onsite collection (53.14 ± 28.9% vs 61.90 ± 20.46%; P = .51). Similarly, in the cancer patients, all 4 parameters were comparable between the onsite and NextGen. Cryosurvival rates were also similar between NextGen compared with those of onsite collection (52.71 ± 20.37% vs 58.90 ± 22.68%; P = .46). Cancer patients can bank sperm as effectively as men banking for infertility reasons using the NextGen kit. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and thymidylate synthase promoter (TSER) polymorphisms in Indonesian children with and without leukemia.

PubMed

Giovannetti, Elisa; Ugrasena, Dewa G; Supriyadi, Eddy; Vroling, Laura; Azzarello, Antonino; de Lange, Desiree; Peters, Godefridus J; Veerman, Anjo J P; Cloos, Jacqueline

2008-01-01

Genetic variations in the polymorphic tandem repeat sequence of the enhancer region of the thymidylate synthase promoter (TSER), as well as in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, influence methotrexate sensitivity. We studied these polymorphisms in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and in subjects without malignancy in Indonesia and Holland. The frequencies of TT and CT genotypes were two-fold higher in Dutch children. The TSER 3R/3R repeat was three-fold more frequent in the Indonesian children, while the 2R/2R repeat was only 1% compared to 21% in the Dutch children. No differences of these polymorphisms were found between ALL cells and normal blood cells, indicating an ethnic rather than leukemic origin. These results may have implications for treatment of Indonesian children with ALL.

ORPC RivGen Acoustic Measurements

DOE Data Explorer

Brian Polagye

2016-06-06

Drifting hydrophone measurements obtained around the Ocean Renewable Power Company RivGen turbine near the village of Igiugig, Alaska in August, 2014. Each data set contains hydrophone voltage (as well as gain and sensitivity), position on the river (LAT, LONG, and proximity to turbine [xt, yt]), drift velocity, and contextual meteorological data.

Extending Validated Human Performance Models to Explore NextGen Concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gore, Brian Francis; Hooey, Becky Lee; Mahlstedt, Eric; Foyle, David C.

2012-01-01

To meet the expected increases in air traffic demands, NASA and FAA are researching and developing Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) concepts. NextGen will require substantial increases in the data available to pilots on the flight deck (e.g., weather,wake, traffic trajectory predictions, etc.) to support more precise and closely coordinated operations (e.g., self-separation, RNAV/RNP, and closely spaced parallel operations, CSPOs). These NextGen procedures and operations, along with the pilot's roles and responsibilities, must be designed with consideration of the pilot's capabilities and limitations. Failure to do so will leave the pilots, and thus the entire aviation system, vulnerable to error. A validated Man-machine Integration and design Analysis System (MIDAS) v5 model was extended to evaluate anticipated changes to flight deck and controller roles and responsibilities in NextGen approach and Land operations. Compared to conditions when the controllers are responsible for separation on decent to land phase of flight, the output from these model predictions suggest that the flight deck response time to detect the lead aircraft blunder will decrease, pilot scans to the navigation display will increase, and workload will increase.

76 FR 28973 - Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC; Order on Rehearing and Accepting Tariff Filing, Subject to...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-19

.... Clustering and Effective Date i. Terra-Gen Tariff Provisions 15. Terra-Gen proposes provisions to address clustering of transmission system impact studies, consistent with the guidance provided in the January 14... on how Terra-Gen may cluster studies.\\22\\ Terra-Gen's proposed clustering provisions provide, among...

MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and homocysteine levels in primary open angle and primary closed angle glaucoma

PubMed Central

Micheal, Shazia; Qamar, Raheel; Akhtar, Farah; Khan, Muhammad Imran; Khan, Wajid Ali

2009-01-01

Purpose To investigate the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C genotypes and plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) in Pakistani patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed angle glaucoma (PCAG). Methods This was a prospective case-control study. A total of 295 patients (173 POAG, 122 PCAG) and 143 age- and sex-matched controls were subdivided into two ethnic groups, Punjabis (Punjab province, central Pakistan) and Pathans (North-West Frontier Province, northern Pakistan). Genotypes of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the total serum homocysteine (tHcy) levels. Associations were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results Frequency distributions of genotypes and combined genotypes as well as homocysteine levels were obtained. The overall distribution of the C677T genotype was found to be significantly associated with PCAG (CC 69%, CT 21%, TT 10%; p=0.001, χ2=12.6), but not with POAG (CC 71%, CT 28%, TT 1%; p=0.98, χ2=0.02) as compared to the controls (CC 71%, CT 29%, TT 1%). The Pathan cohorts revealed no association with the disease; however, the Punjabis demonstrated a significant association with PCAG (CC 75%, CT 11%, TT 13%; p<0.001, χ2=17.2). PCAG in the Punjabi subjects was also significantly associated with the A1298C polymorphism (AA 43%, AC 54%, CC 3%; p<0.001, χ2=33.9) as compared to the controls. Combined genotype data showed no association with POAG; however, a significant association with all combined genotypes was observed in the overall PCAG subjects (p<0.05, χ2=20.1). This difference was particularly apparent in the TTAA and TTAC combinations that were completely absent in the control groups (p<0.05. χ2=49.6). Mean serum tHcy levels were found to be significantly increased in the POAG (15.2±1.28 µmol/l, p<0

76 FR 54526 - Fourth Meeting RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-01

... Committee (NAC) AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). DATES: The meeting will be held September 29, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m...

SIPSMetGen: It's Not Just For Aircraft Data and ECS Anymore.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwab, M.

2015-12-01

The SIPSMetGen utility, developed for the NASA EOSDIS project, under the EED contract, simplified the creation of file level metadata for the ECS System. The utility has been enhanced for ease of use, efficiency, speed and increased flexibility. The SIPSMetGen utility was originally created as a means of generating file level spatial metadata for Operation IceBridge. The first version created only ODL metadata, specific for ingest into ECS. The core strength of the utility was, and continues to be, its ability to take complex shapes and patterns of data collection point clouds from aircraft flights and simplify them to a relatively simple concave hull geo-polygon. It has been found to be a useful and easy to use tool for creating file level metadata for many other missions, both aircraft and satellite. While the original version was useful it had its limitations. In 2014 Raytheon was tasked to make enhancements to SIPSMetGen, this resulted a new version of SIPSMetGen which can create ISO Compliant XML metadata; provides optimization and streamlining of the algorithm for creating the spatial metadata; a quicker runtime with more consistent results; a utility that can be configured to run multi-threaded on systems with multiple processors. The utility comes with a java based graphical user interface to aid in configuration and running of the utility. The enhanced SIPSMetGen allows more diverse data sets to be archived with file level metadata. The advantage of archiving data with file level metadata is that it makes it easier for data users, and scientists to find relevant data. File level metadata unlocks the power of existing archives and metadata repositories such as ECS and CMR and search and discovery utilities like Reverb and Earth Data Search. Current missions now using SIPSMetGen include: Aquarius, Measures, ARISE, and Nimbus.

76 FR 3931 - Second Meeting RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-21

... Committee (NAC) AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). DATES: The meeting will be held February 11, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m...

76 FR 22162 - Third Meeting RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-20

... Committee (NAC) AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). DATES: The meeting will be held May 19, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ADDRESSES...

The effect of RFC G80A polymorphism in Cretan children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its interaction with MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms.

PubMed

Karathanasis, N V; Stiakaki, E; Goulielmos, G Ν; Kalmanti, M

2014-08-01

The association between the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and enzymes involved in the folate metabolism has been under investigation lately. The reduced folate carrier gene (RFC) encodes reduced folate carrier, a protein that transports into the cell both folate and methotrexate, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug, has been proved polymorphic at position 80 (G→A). The role of this polymorphism in childhood ALL and its interaction with other enzymes of the folate metabolic pathway, including MTHFR, has been examined in different populations with diverse results. In the present case-control study, 35 children with ALL and 48 healthy adult blood donors, all originating from the island of Crete (Greece), were screened for the presence of the RFC G80A polymorphism, using PCR/RFLP techniques. The effect on ALL risk and methotrexate-induced toxicities, along with the role of gene-gene interactions in our population, were examined. No significant association was observed between the RFC G80A genotypes and either the development of ALL or the presence of adverse events. However, a significant association was detected between the MTHFR A1298C/ RFC G80A genotype and a nonpredisposition for ALL (P = 0.035). This study suggests that gene-gene interactions in childhood ALL may be of prognostic value in our population. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Safer Systems: A NextGen Aviation Safety Strategic Goal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Darr, Stephen T.; Ricks, Wendell R.; Lemos, Katherine A.

2008-01-01

The Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), is charged by Congress with developing the concepts and plans for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The National Aviation Safety Strategic Plan (NASSP), developed by the Safety Working Group of the JPDO, focuses on establishing the goals, objectives, and strategies needed to realize the safety objectives of the NextGen Integrated Plan. The three goal areas of the NASSP are Safer Practices, Safer Systems, and Safer Worldwide. Safer Practices emphasizes an integrated, systematic approach to safety risk management through implementation of formalized Safety Management Systems (SMS) that incorporate safety data analysis processes, and the enhancement of methods for ensuring safety is an inherent characteristic of NextGen. Safer Systems emphasizes implementation of safety-enhancing technologies, which will improve safety for human-centered interfaces and enhance the safety of airborne and ground-based systems. Safer Worldwide encourages coordinating the adoption of the safer practices and safer systems technologies, policies and procedures worldwide, such that the maximum level of safety is achieved across air transportation system boundaries. This paper introduces the NASSP and its development, and focuses on the Safer Systems elements of the NASSP, which incorporates three objectives for NextGen systems: 1) provide risk reducing system interfaces, 2) provide safety enhancements for airborne systems, and 3) provide safety enhancements for ground-based systems. The goal of this paper is to expose avionics and air traffic management system developers to NASSP objectives and Safer Systems strategies.

ACE I/D sequence variants but not MTHFR C677T, is strongly linked to malignant glioma risk and its variant DD genotype may act as a promising predictive biomarker for overall survival of glioma patients.

PubMed

Pandith, Arshad A; Qasim, Iqbal; Zahoor, Wani; Shah, Parveen; Bhat, Abdul R

2018-01-10

ACE I/D and MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms can be seen as candidate genes for glioma on the basis of their biological functions and their involvement in different cancers. The aim of this study was to analyze potential association and overall survival between MTHFR C677T and ACE I/D polymorphism in glioma patients in our population. We tested genotype distribution of 112 glioma patients against 141 cancer-free controls from the same region. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to evaluate overall survival of patients for both genes. No significant differences were found among MTHFR C677T wild type C and variant genotypes CT/TT with glioma patients. In ACE, the distribution of variant ID and DD was found to be significantly higher in glioma cases as compared to controls (p<0.0001). ACE DD genotypes were highly presented in glioma cases 26.8% versus 10.6% in controls (p<0.0001) and conferred 5-fold risk for predisposition in glioma cases. Per copy D allele frequency was found higher in cases than in controls (0.54 versus 0.25: p<0.0001). Interestingly we found a significant overall survival (with log rank p<0.01) in patients who presented with ACE DD genotypes had the least estimated overall survival of 13.4months in comparison to 21. 7 and 17.6months for ACE II and I/D genotypes respectively. We conclude ACE I/D polymorphism plays a vital role in predisposition of higher risk for glioma. We also suggest that ACE DD genotypes may act as an important predictive biomarker for overall survival of glioma patients. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Human genetic selection on the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism

PubMed Central

Mayor-Olea, Álvaro; Callejón, Gonzalo; Palomares, Arturo R; Jiménez, Ana J; Gaitán, María Jesús; Rodríguez, Alfonso; Ruiz, Maximiliano; Reyes-Engel, Armando

2008-01-01

Background The prevalence of genotypes of the 677C>T polymorphism for the MTHFR gene varies among humans. In previous studies, we found changes in the genotypic frequencies of this polymorphism in populations of different ages, suggesting that this could be caused by an increase in the intake of folate and multivitamins by women during the periconceptional period. The aim was to analyze changes in the allelic frequencies of this polymorphism in a Spanish population, including samples from spontaneous abortions (SA). Methods A total of 1305 subjects born in the 20th century were genotyped for the 677C>T polymorphism using allele specific real-time PCR with Taqman® probes. A section of our population (n = 276) born in 1980–1989 was compared with fetal samples (n = 344) from SA of unknown etiology from the same period. Results An increase in the frequency of the T allele (0.38 vs 0.47; p < 0.001) and of the TT genotype (0.14 vs 0.24; p < 0.001) in subjects born in the last quarter of the century was observed. In the 1980–1989 period, the results show that the frequency of the wild type genotype (CC) is about tenfold lower in the SA samples than in the controls (0.03 vs 0.33; p < 0.001) and that the frequency of the TT genotype increases in the controls (0.19 to 0.27) and in the SA samples (0.20 to 0.33 (p < 0.01)); r = 0.98. Conclusion Selection in favor of the T allele has been detected. This selection could be due to the increased fetal viability in early stages of embryonic development, as is deduced by the increase of mutants in both living and SA populations. PMID:19040733

Next-Gen 3: Sequencing, Modeling, and Advanced Biofuels - Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zengler, Karsten; Palsson, Bernhard; Lewis, Nathan

Successful, scalable implementation of biofuels is dependent on the efficient and near complete utilization of diverse biomass sources. One approach is to utilize the large recalcitrant biomass fraction (or any organic waste stream) through the thermochemical conversion of organic compounds to syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2), and hydrogen (H 2), which can subsequently be metabolized by acetogenic microorganisms to produce next-gen biofuels. The goal of this proposal was to advance the development of the acetogen Clostridium ljungdahlii as a chassis organism for next-gen biofuel production from cheap, renewable sources and to detail the interconnectivitymore » of metabolism, energy conservation, and regulation of acetogens using next-gen sequencing and next-gen modeling. To achieve this goal we determined optimization of carbon and energy utilization through differential translational efficiency in C. ljungdahlii. Furthermore, we reconstructed a next-generation model of all major cellular processes, such as macromolecular synthesis and transcriptional regulation and deployed this model to predicting proteome allocation, overflow metabolism, and metal requirements in this model acetogen. In addition we explored the evolutionary significance of tRNA operon structure using the next-gen model and determined the optimal operon structure for bioproduction. Our study substantially enhanced the knowledgebaase for chemolithoautotrophs and their potential for advanced biofuel production. It provides next-generation modeling capability, offer innovative tools for genome-scale engineering, and provide novel methods to utilize next-generation models for the design of tunable systems that produce commodity chemicals from inexpensive sources.« less

On the ground spider genera Marjanus gen. n., Lasophorus gen. n. and Turkozelotes Kovblyuk Seyyar, 2009 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Greece.

PubMed

Chatzaki, Maria

2018-03-11

New taxonomic data on the ground spiders of the family Gnaphosidae from Greece are presented. Two genera are proposed as new to science (Marjanus gen. n. and Lasophorus gen. n.) together with two new species (Lasophorus zakkak sp. n. and Lasophorus zografae sp. n.) and a new combination (Marjanus platnicki comb. nov.). Additionally the genus Turkozelotes Kovblyuk Seyyar, 2009 is here rediagnosed and the female of the type species T. microb Kovblyuk Seyyar, 2009 is described for the first time. The finding of the matching male of Setaphis mccowani Chatzaki Russell-Smith, 2017 suggests the transfer of this species to Turkozelotes and hence the male of T. mccowani comb. nov. is described for the first time. Taxonomic affinities of these genera and species are discussed.

Technology evaluation: C242-DM1, ImmunoGen Inc.

PubMed

Smith, S

2001-04-01

C242-DM1 is a tumor-activated immunotoxin under development by GlaxoSmithKline plc (formerly SmithKline Beecham plc), under licence from ImmunoGen Inc, as a potential treatment for colon tumor. It consists of a colon cancer-specific humanized antibody, C242, conjugated to the maytansine derivative DM1. In preclinical studies, C242-DM1 caused complete tumor regression in animal models of both human pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at non-toxic doses. C242-DM1 has also been evaluated in an immunoconjugate combination with J-591 (Cornell University). The J591-DM1 immunoconjugate demonstrated effective, antigen-specific delivery of a highly cytotoxic drug to PSMA-positive Pca cells in vitro and in vivo with low systemic toxicity. Results from studies in monkeys showed that C242-DM1 had no significant toxicity or side effects, when administered at doses higher than those that were previously shown to completely eradicate human colon tumors in mice [271420]. ImmunoGen acquired the right to evaluate, and an option to license, technology related to maytansines from Takeda. In February 1999, ImmunoGen and SmithKline Beecham signed a US $45 million development and commercialization agreement for C242-DM1 [313493]. In August 1997, Immunogen received an SBIR grant to advance development of huC242-DM1 [258356]. EP-00425235, held by ImmunoGen, covers conjugated forms of ansamitocin (maytansine) derivatives. Takeda holds several patents for the production of ansamitocin and its analogs, the first one being JP-53124692.

Environmental Information for the U.S. Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, J.; Miner, C.; Pace, D.; Minnis, P.; Mecikalski, J.; Feltz, W.; Johnson, D.; Iskendarian, H.; Haynes, J.

2009-09-01

It is estimated that weather is responsible for approximately 70% of all air traffic delays and cancellations in the United States. Annually, this produces an overall economic loss of nearly 40B. The FAA and NASA have determined that weather impacts and other environmental constraints on the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) will increase to the point of system unsustainability unless the NAS is radically transformed. A Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is planned to accommodate the anticipated demand for increased system capacity and the super-density operations that this transformation will entail. The heart of the environmental information component that is being developed for NextGen will be a 4-dimensional data cube which will include a single authoritative source comprising probabilistic weather information for NextGen Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems. Aviation weather constraints and safety hazards typically comprise meso-scale, storm-scale and microscale observables that can significantly impact both terminal and enroute aviation operations. With these operational impacts in mind, functional and performance requirements for the NextGen weather system were established which require significant improvements in observation and forecasting capabilities. This will include satellite observations from geostationary and/or polar-orbiting hyperspectral sounders, multi-spectral imagers, lightning mappers, space weather monitors and other environmental observing systems. It will also require improved in situ and remotely sensed observations from ground-based and airborne systems. These observations will be used to better understand and to develop forecasting applications for convective weather, in-flight icing, turbulence, ceilings and visibility, volcanic ash, space weather and the environmental impacts of aviation. Cutting-edge collaborative research efforts and results from NASA, NOAA and the FAA which address these phenomena are summarized

The GenABEL Project for statistical genomics.

PubMed

Karssen, Lennart C; van Duijn, Cornelia M; Aulchenko, Yurii S

2016-01-01

Development of free/libre open source software is usually done by a community of people with an interest in the tool. For scientific software, however, this is less often the case. Most scientific software is written by only a few authors, often a student working on a thesis. Once the paper describing the tool has been published, the tool is no longer developed further and is left to its own device. Here we describe the broad, multidisciplinary community we formed around a set of tools for statistical genomics. The GenABEL project for statistical omics actively promotes open interdisciplinary development of statistical methodology and its implementation in efficient and user-friendly software under an open source licence. The software tools developed withing the project collectively make up the GenABEL suite, which currently consists of eleven tools. The open framework of the project actively encourages involvement of the community in all stages, from formulation of methodological ideas to application of software to specific data sets. A web forum is used to channel user questions and discussions, further promoting the use of the GenABEL suite. Developer discussions take place on a dedicated mailing list, and development is further supported by robust development practices including use of public version control, code review and continuous integration. Use of this open science model attracts contributions from users and developers outside the "core team", facilitating agile statistical omics methodology development and fast dissemination.

The GenABEL Project for statistical genomics

PubMed Central

Karssen, Lennart C.; van Duijn, Cornelia M.; Aulchenko, Yurii S.

2016-01-01

Development of free/libre open source software is usually done by a community of people with an interest in the tool. For scientific software, however, this is less often the case. Most scientific software is written by only a few authors, often a student working on a thesis. Once the paper describing the tool has been published, the tool is no longer developed further and is left to its own device. Here we describe the broad, multidisciplinary community we formed around a set of tools for statistical genomics. The GenABEL project for statistical omics actively promotes open interdisciplinary development of statistical methodology and its implementation in efficient and user-friendly software under an open source licence. The software tools developed withing the project collectively make up the GenABEL suite, which currently consists of eleven tools. The open framework of the project actively encourages involvement of the community in all stages, from formulation of methodological ideas to application of software to specific data sets. A web forum is used to channel user questions and discussions, further promoting the use of the GenABEL suite. Developer discussions take place on a dedicated mailing list, and development is further supported by robust development practices including use of public version control, code review and continuous integration. Use of this open science model attracts contributions from users and developers outside the “core team”, facilitating agile statistical omics methodology development and fast dissemination. PMID:27347381

Lack of association between polymorphisms in genes MTHFR and MDR1 with risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Kreile, Madara; Rots, Dmitrijs; Piekuse, Linda; Cebura, Elizabete; Grutupa, Marika; Kovalova, Zhanna; Lace, Baiba

2014-01-01

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a complex disease caused by interactions between hazardous exogenous or/and endogenous agents and many mild effect inherited susceptibility mutations. Some of them are known, but their functional roles still requireinvestigation. Age is a recognized risk factor; children with disease onset after the age of ten have worse prognosis, presumably also triggered by inherited factors. The MDR1 gene polymorphisms rs1045642, rs2032582 and MTHFR gene polymorphisms rs1801131 and rs1801133 were genotyped in 68 ALL patients in remission and 102 age and gender matched controls; parental DNA samples were also available for 42 probands. No case control association was found between analyzed polymorphisms and a risk of childhood ALL development. Linkage disequilibrium was not observed in a family-based association study either. Only marginal association was observed between genetic marker rs2032582A and later disease onset (p=0.04). Our data suggest that late age of ALL onset could be triggered by mild effect common alleles.

PatGen--a consolidated resource for searching genetic patent sequences.

PubMed

Rouse, Richard J D; Castagnetto, Jesus; Niedner, Roland H

2005-04-15

Compared to the wealth of online resources covering genomic, proteomic and derived data the Bioinformatics community is rather underserved when it comes to patent information related to biological sequences. The current online resources are either incomplete or rather expensive. This paper describes, PatGen, an integrated database containing data from bioinformatic and patent resources. This effort addresses the inconsistency of publicly available genetic patent data coverage by providing access to a consolidated dataset. PatGen can be searched at http://www.patgendb.com rjdrouse@patentinformatics.com.

GeoBoost: accelerating research involving the geospatial metadata of virus GenBank records.

PubMed

Tahsin, Tasnia; Weissenbacher, Davy; O'Connor, Karen; Magge, Arjun; Scotch, Matthew; Gonzalez-Hernandez, Graciela

2018-05-01

GeoBoost is a command-line software package developed to address sparse or incomplete metadata in GenBank sequence records that relate to the location of the infected host (LOIH) of viruses. Given a set of GenBank accession numbers corresponding to virus GenBank records, GeoBoost extracts, integrates and normalizes geographic information reflecting the LOIH of the viruses using integrated information from GenBank metadata and related full-text publications. In addition, to facilitate probabilistic geospatial modeling, GeoBoost assigns probability scores for each possible LOIH. Binaries and resources required for running GeoBoost are packed into a single zipped file and freely available for download at https://tinyurl.com/geoboost. A video tutorial is included to help users quickly and easily install and run the software. The software is implemented in Java 1.8, and supported on MS Windows and Linux platforms. gragon@upenn.edu. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Polymorphism of TS 3'-UTR predicts survival of Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients receiving first-line capecitabine plus paclitaxel.

PubMed

Gao, J; He, Q; Hua, D; Mao, Y; Li, Y; Shen, L

2013-08-01

Capecitabine-containing chemotherapy was widely used in clinic medication. We investigated the association of the thymidylate synthase (TS), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) polymorphisms with the clinical outcome of Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients receiving first-line capecitabine plus paclitaxel. Blood samples were collected prior to treatment from 125 patients with advanced gastric cancer and the TS (two or three repeats of a 28 bp sequence in 5'-untranslated region and 6 bp insertion or deletion in 3'-untranslated region), MTHFR (C677T) and DPD (IVS14+1G > A) polymorphisms were determined using PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. The median age of 125 patients was 58 years (range, 23-76) with female 42 and male 83, and the response rate, median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 43.2 %, 5.2 and 11.0 months. The median OS in patients with TS ins6/ins6 genotype (6.8 months) was significantly shorter than those in patients with ins6/del6 (11.0 months, P = 0.016) and del6/del6 (11.5 months, P = 0.039) genotypes. Cox multivariate analysis also showed that TS ins6/ins6 genotype was the independent poor OS predictor (P = 0.001, HR = 3.182). No significant associations were found between the polymorphisms of TS 5'-UTR/MTHFR and clinical outcome, and no IVS14+1G > A polymorphism of DPD was found in this study. We first reported that TS 3'-UTR ins6/ins6 genotype could predict the poor survival of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with capecitabine plus paclitaxel, which would be further verified in a large multicenter study.

SimGen: A General Simulation Method for Large Systems.

PubMed

Taylor, William R

2017-02-03

SimGen is a stand-alone computer program that reads a script of commands to represent complex macromolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, in a structural hierarchy that can then be viewed using an integral graphical viewer or animated through a high-level application programming interface in C++. Structural levels in the hierarchy range from α-carbon or phosphate backbones through secondary structure to domains, molecules, and multimers with each level represented in an identical data structure that can be manipulated using the application programming interface. Unlike most coarse-grained simulation approaches, the higher-level objects represented in SimGen can be soft, allowing the lower-level objects that they contain to interact directly. The default motion simulated by SimGen is a Brownian-like diffusion that can be set to occur across all levels of representation in the hierarchy. Links can also be defined between objects, which, when combined with large high-level random movements, result in an effective search strategy for constraint satisfaction, including structure prediction from predicted pairwise distances. The implementation of SimGen makes use of the hierarchic data structure to avoid unnecessary calculation, especially for collision detection, allowing it to be simultaneously run and viewed on a laptop computer while simulating large systems of over 20,000 objects. It has been used previously to model complex molecular interactions including the motion of a myosin-V dimer "walking" on an actin fibre, RNA stem-loop packing, and the simulation of cell motion and aggregation. Several extensions to this original functionality are described. Copyright © 2016 The Francis Crick Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Paleoserranus lakamhae gen. et sp. nov., a Paleocene seabass (Perciformes: Serranidae) from Palenque, Chiapas, southeastern Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cantalice, Kleyton M.; Alvarado-Ortega, Jesús; Alaniz-Galvan, Abril

2018-04-01

Paleoserranus lakamhae gen. et sp. nov. is here described based on well-preserved fossils from the Paleocene marine sediments of the Tenejapa-Lacandón geological unit, belonging to both Division del Norte and Belisario Domínguez quarries, near Palenque, Chiapas, southeastern Mexico. This species exhibits distinctive characters of the order Perciformes, such as the presence of spines in the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins, as well as the pelvic and pectoral girdles in contact between them. This fish also has neither procurrent spur nor posterior uroneural, characters that support its place within the family Serranidae. It also has a distinctive combination of characters, including a serrated lacrimal and a toothed ectopterygoid, never recorded before among serranids. Additionally, this fossil fish shares some characters with different species nested within the subfamilies Serraninae, Anthiinae, and Ephinephelinae; these include a predorsal formula of 0/0/0 + 2/1 + 1/1; a preopercle with its ventral edge sinuous and showing a strong antrorse spine; its dorsal fin consists of nine spines and eight to ten soft rays; 13 rays in its pectoral fin; and its rounded caudal fin structured with formula I+8-7+I. Paleoserranus lakamhae gen. et sp. nov. is a Serranidae incertae sedis because it does not fit into any subgroup; however, this Paleocene fish is the earliest fossil record of the family Serranidae. The place of occurrence of this new fossil record suggests that the origin and of the seabasses took place in the Caribbean region of North America.

Initial Investigation of Operational Concept Elements for NASA's NextGen-Airportal Project Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lohr, Gary; Lee, Jonathan; Poage, James L.; Tobias, Leonard

2009-01-01

The NextGen-Airportal Project is organized into three research focus areas: Safe and Efficient Surface Operations, Coordinated Arrival/Departure Operations Management, and Airportal Transition and Integration Management. The content in this document was derived from an examination of constraints and problems at airports for accommodating future increases in air traffic, and from an examination of capabilities envisioned for NextGen. The concepts are organized around categories of constraints and problems and therefore do not precisely match, but generally reflect, the research focus areas. The concepts provide a framework for defining and coordinating research activities that are, and will be, conducted by the NextGen-Airportal Project. The concepts will help the research activities function as an integrated set focused on future needs for airport operations and will aid aligning the research activities with NextGen key capabilities. The concepts are presented as concept elements with more detailed sub-elements under each concept element. For each concept element, the following topics are discussed: constraints and problems being addressed, benefit descriptions, required technology and infrastructure, and an initial list of potential research topics. Concept content will be updated and more detail added as the research progresses. The concepts are focused on enhancing airportal capacity and efficiency in a timeframe 20 to 25 years in the future, which is similar to NextGen's timeframe.

Advanced Vehicle Concepts and Implications for NextGen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blake, Matt; Smith, Jim; Wright, Ken; Mediavilla Ricky; Kirby, Michelle; Pfaender, Holger; Clarke, John-Paul; Volovoi, Vitali; Dorbian, Christopher; Ashok, Akshay;

Safety Sufficiency for NextGen: Assessment of Selected Existing Safety Methods, Tools, Processes, and Regulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Xidong; Ulrey, Mike L.; Brown, John A.; Mast, James; Lapis, Mary B.

2013-01-01

NextGen is a complex socio-technical system and, in many ways, it is expected to be more complex than the current system. It is vital to assess the safety impact of the NextGen elements (technologies, systems, and procedures) in a rigorous and systematic way and to ensure that they do not compromise safety. In this study, the NextGen elements in the form of Operational Improvements (OIs), Enablers, Research Activities, Development Activities, and Policy Issues were identified. The overall hazard situation in NextGen was outlined; a high-level hazard analysis was conducted with respect to multiple elements in a representative NextGen OI known as OI-0349 (Automation Support for Separation Management); and the hazards resulting from the highly dynamic complexity involved in an OI-0349 scenario were illustrated. A selected but representative set of the existing safety methods, tools, processes, and regulations was then reviewed and analyzed regarding whether they are sufficient to assess safety in the elements of that OI and ensure that safety will not be compromised and whether they might incur intolerably high costs.

A high-precision rule-based extraction system for expanding geospatial metadata in GenBank records

PubMed Central

Weissenbacher, Davy; Rivera, Robert; Beard, Rachel; Firago, Mari; Wallstrom, Garrick; Scotch, Matthew; Gonzalez, Graciela

2016-01-01

Objective The metadata reflecting the location of the infected host (LOIH) of virus sequences in GenBank often lacks specificity. This work seeks to enhance this metadata by extracting more specific geographic information from related full-text articles and mapping them to their latitude/longitudes using knowledge derived from external geographical databases. Materials and Methods We developed a rule-based information extraction framework for linking GenBank records to the latitude/longitudes of the LOIH. Our system first extracts existing geospatial metadata from GenBank records and attempts to improve it by seeking additional, relevant geographic information from text and tables in related full-text PubMed Central articles. The final extracted locations of the records, based on data assimilated from these sources, are then disambiguated and mapped to their respective geo-coordinates. We evaluated our approach on a manually annotated dataset comprising of 5728 GenBank records for the influenza A virus. Results We found the precision, recall, and f-measure of our system for linking GenBank records to the latitude/longitudes of their LOIH to be 0.832, 0.967, and 0.894, respectively. Discussion Our system had a high level of accuracy for linking GenBank records to the geo-coordinates of the LOIH. However, it can be further improved by expanding our database of geospatial data, incorporating spell correction, and enhancing the rules used for extraction. Conclusion Our system performs reasonably well for linking GenBank records for the influenza A virus to the geo-coordinates of their LOIH based on record metadata and information extracted from related full-text articles. PMID:26911818

JPDO Portfolio Analysis of NextGen

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

runways. C. Metrics The JPDO Interagency Portfolio & Systems Analysis ( IPSA ) division continues to coordinate, develop, and refine the metrics and...targets associated with the NextGen initiatives with the partner agencies & stakeholder communities. IPSA has formulated a set of top-level metrics as...metrics are calculated from system performance measures that constitute outputs of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 8 IPSA

Description of Teunomyces gen. nov. for the Candida kruisii clade, Suhomyces gen. nov. for the Candida tanzawaensis clade and Suhomyces kilbournensis sp. nov.

PubMed

Kurtzman, Cletus P; Robnett, Christie J; Blackwell, Meredith

2016-08-01

DNA sequence analysis has shown that species of the Candida kruisii clade and species of the C. tanzawaensis clade represent phylogenetically circumscribed genera, which are described as Teunomyces gen. nov., type species T kruisii, and Suhomyces gen. nov., type species S tanzawaensis Many of the species are distributed worldwide and they are often isolated from fungus-feeding insects and their habitats. Included is the description of S. kilbournensis (type strain NRRL Y-17864, CBS 14276), a species found almost exclusively on maize kernels (Zea mays) in IL, USA. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS 2016. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

MTHFR 677C>T Polymorphism and the Risk of Breast Cancer: Evidence from an Original Study and Pooled Data for 28031 Cases and 31880 Controls

PubMed Central

Sekhar, Deepa; Francis, Amirtharaj; Gupta, Nishi; Konwar, Rituraj; Kumar, Sandeep; Kumar, Surender; Thangaraj, Kumarasamy; Rajender, Singh

2015-01-01

Background Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) acts at an important metabolic point in the regulation of cellular methylation reaction. It assists in the conversion of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. The latter aids in remethylation of homocysteine to de novo methionine that is required for DNA synthesis. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphism on the risk of breast cancer in the Indian sub-continent. Methods and Results We genotyped 677 C>T locus in 1096 individuals that were classified into cases (N=588) and controls (N=508). Genotype data were analyzed using chi-square test. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes between cases and controls in north Indian (P = 0.932), south Indian (P = 0.865), and pooled data (P = 0.680). To develop a consensus regarding the impact of 677C>T polymorphism on breast cancer risk, we also conducted a meta-analysis on 28031 cases and 31880 controls that were pooled from sixty one studies. The overall summary estimate upon meta-analysis suggested no significant correlation between the 677C>T substitution and breast cancer in the dominant model (Fixed effect model: OR = 0.97, P=0.072, Random effects model: OR = 0.96, P = 0.084) or the recessive model (Fixed effect model: OR = 1.05, P = 0.089; Random effects model: OR= 1.08, P= 0.067). Conclusion 677 C>T substitution does not affect breast cancer risk in the Indo-European and Dravidian populations of India. Analysis on pooled data further ruled out association between the 677 C>T polymorphism and breast cancer. Therefore, 677 C>T substitution does not appear to influence the risk of breast cancer. PMID:25803740

VitisGen on the road: mapping the way to the next generation of grapes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The USDA-NIFA VitisGen project (Award No. 2011-51181-30635) aims to optimize grape cultivar improvement through the integration of grape breeding, cutting edge genomics technology, precision phenotyping, socioeconomic research, and extension. VitisGen is a five-year project involving 25 co-PIs at 11...

A high-precision rule-based extraction system for expanding geospatial metadata in GenBank records.

PubMed

Tahsin, Tasnia; Weissenbacher, Davy; Rivera, Robert; Beard, Rachel; Firago, Mari; Wallstrom, Garrick; Scotch, Matthew; Gonzalez, Graciela

2016-09-01

The metadata reflecting the location of the infected host (LOIH) of virus sequences in GenBank often lacks specificity. This work seeks to enhance this metadata by extracting more specific geographic information from related full-text articles and mapping them to their latitude/longitudes using knowledge derived from external geographical databases. We developed a rule-based information extraction framework for linking GenBank records to the latitude/longitudes of the LOIH. Our system first extracts existing geospatial metadata from GenBank records and attempts to improve it by seeking additional, relevant geographic information from text and tables in related full-text PubMed Central articles. The final extracted locations of the records, based on data assimilated from these sources, are then disambiguated and mapped to their respective geo-coordinates. We evaluated our approach on a manually annotated dataset comprising of 5728 GenBank records for the influenza A virus. We found the precision, recall, and f-measure of our system for linking GenBank records to the latitude/longitudes of their LOIH to be 0.832, 0.967, and 0.894, respectively. Our system had a high level of accuracy for linking GenBank records to the geo-coordinates of the LOIH. However, it can be further improved by expanding our database of geospatial data, incorporating spell correction, and enhancing the rules used for extraction. Our system performs reasonably well for linking GenBank records for the influenza A virus to the geo-coordinates of their LOIH based on record metadata and information extracted from related full-text articles. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

TidGen Power System Commercialization Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sauer, Christopher R.; McEntee, Jarlath

2013-12-30

ORPC Maine, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC (collectively ORPC), submits this Final Technical Report for the TidGen® Power System Commercialization Project (Project), partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DE-EE0003647). The Project was built and operated in compliance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) pilot project license (P-12711) and other permits and approvals needed for the Project. This report documents the methodologies, activities and results of the various phases of the Project, including design, engineering, procurement, assembly, installation, operation, licensing, environmental monitoring, retrieval, maintenance and repair. The Project represents a significant achievement formore » the renewable energy portfolio of the U.S. in general, and for the U.S. marine hydrokinetic (MHK) industry in particular. The stated Project goal was to advance, demonstrate and accelerate deployment and commercialization of ORPC’s tidal-current based hydrokinetic power generation system, including the energy extraction and conversion technology, associated power electronics, and interconnection equipment capable of reliably delivering electricity to the domestic power grid. ORPC achieved this goal by designing, building and operating the TidGen® Power System in 2012 and becoming the first federally licensed hydrokinetic tidal energy project to deliver electricity to a power grid under a power purchase agreement in North America. Located in Cobscook Bay between Eastport and Lubec, Maine, the TidGen® Power System was connected to the Bangor Hydro Electric utility grid at an on-shore station in North Lubec on September 13, 2012. ORPC obtained a FERC pilot project license for the Project on February 12, 2012 and the first Maine Department of Environmental Protection General Permit issued for a tidal energy project on January 31, 2012. In addition, ORPC entered into a 20-year agreement with Bangor Hydro

Transduction of Photoreceptors With Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Lentiviral Vectors: Safety and Biodistribution of StarGen for Stargardt Disease

PubMed Central

Binley, Katie; Widdowson, Peter; Loader, Julie; Kelleher, Michelle; Iqball, Sharifah; Ferrige, Georgina; de Belin, Jackie; Carlucci, Marie; Angell-Manning, Diana; Hurst, Felicity; Ellis, Scott; Miskin, James; Fernandes, Alcides; Wong, Paul; Allikmets, Rando; Bergstrom, Christopher; Aaberg, Thomas; Yan, Jiong; Kong, Jian; Gouras, Peter; Prefontaine, Annick; Vezina, Mark; Bussieres, Martin; Naylor, Stuart; Mitrophanous, Kyriacos A.

2013-01-01

Purpose. StarGen is an equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV)-based lentiviral vector that expresses the photoreceptor-specific adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter (ABCA4) protein that is mutated in Stargardt disease (STGD1), a juvenile macular dystrophy. EIAV vectors are able to efficiently transduce rod and cone photoreceptors in addition to retinal pigment epithelium in the adult macaque and rabbit retina following subretinal delivery. The safety and biodistribution of StarGen following subretinal delivery in macaques and rabbits was assessed. Methods. Regular ophthalmic examinations, IOP measurements, ERG responses, and histopathology were carried out in both species to compare control and vector-treated eyes. Tissue and fluid samples were obtained to evaluate the persistence, biodistribution, and shedding of the vector following subretinal delivery. Results. Ophthalmic examinations revealed a slightly higher level of inflammation in StarGen compared with control treated eyes in both species. However, inflammation was transient and no overt toxicity was observed in StarGen treated eyes and there were no abnormal clinical findings. There was no StarGen-associated rise in IOP or abnormal ERG response in either rabbits or macaques. Histopathologic examination of the eyes did not reveal any detrimental changes resulting from subretinal administration of StarGen. Although antibodies to StarGen vector components were detected in rabbit but not macaque serum, this immunologic response did not result in any long-term toxicity. Biodistribution analysis demonstrated that the StarGen vector was restricted to the ocular compartment. Conclusions. In summary, these studies demonstrate StarGen to be well tolerated and localized following subretinal administration. PMID:23620430

InGen Inconsistencies: The "Dinosaurs" Of Jurassic Park May Not Be What The Corporation Claims

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haupt, R. J.; Traer, M. M.

2017-12-01

InGen has made and continues to make dubious claims about proprietary technology developed to clone non-avian dinosaurs for exhibition within their "Jurassic Park." Notably, there are several inconsistencies between their claims for how their technology works and what has been observed within the park. Here we investigate several of these inconsistencies in the hopes that it will push for increased transparency between corporations and academia. First, we highlight a disconnect between supposedly Jurassic amber used for dinosaur DNA extraction and the overwhelming presence of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs within the park. Further, InGen's mining operations only publicly operate in Jurassic-aged formations of the Dominican Republic, which clashes with the presence of Velociraptor and Gallimimus, known only from Mongolia. Second, the park contains seemingly full-grown adult specimens despite InGen's claims that they first successfully cloned a prehistoric animal in 1984, though there is no publicly available information as to what animal this was. That the park was nearly ready to open by 1993 precludes the presence of fully mature dinosaurs and suggests that InGen might be misrepresenting their technologies. Third, we must point out that fossil DNA denatures to the point of uselessness within thousands, not millions, of years. Additionally, the use of anuran DNA to fill in gaps from fossil dinosaurian DNA is a dubious choice given that more closely related organisms are available. Either there is an unexplained reason for this choice, or little attention has been paid to dinosaurian phylogeny by InGen geneticists. Finally, rumors of a secret InGen project to produce a dinosaur not currently known to paleontologists suggests one of two things: they were able to find DNA from a dinosaur previously unknown in the fossil record, which is highly plausible if their techniques are valid, or that InGen is able to artificially manipulate DNA to a degree far beyond what other

On the new monotypic wolf spider genus Ovia gen. nov. (Araneae: Lycosidae, Lycosinae).

PubMed

Sankaran, Pradeep M; Malamel, Jobi J; Sebastian, Pothalil A

2017-01-17

A new monotypic wolf spider genus, Ovia gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate a misplaced species: Pardosa procurva Yu & Song, 1988. Ovia procurva comb. nov. is redescribed, illustrated and designated as the type species for the genus. The subfamily placement of the new genus is discussed and it is considered as a member of Lycosinae Sundevall, 1833 and possibly closely related to Alopecosa Simon, 1885. The presence of an apical process (spur) on the median apophysis is proposed as the putative synapomorphy of Ovia gen. nov. The possible sister-taxon relationship of Ovia gen. nov. with Alopecosa is discussed and evidence on the occurrence of sexual dimorphism and mating plug within the genus are presented. Ovia gen. nov. is assumed to be of Holarctic origin, from which it has migrated to the Indomalayan region. Additionally, a current distribution map for the genus is provided.

iGen: An automated generator of simplified models with provable error bounds.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, D.; Dobbie, S.

2009-04-01

Climate models employ various simplifying assumptions and parameterisations in order to increase execution speed. However, in order to draw conclusions about the Earths climate from the results of a climate simulation it is necessary to have information about the error that these assumptions and parameterisations introduce. A novel computer program, called iGen, is being developed which automatically generates fast, simplified models by analysing the source code of a slower, high resolution model. The resulting simplified models have provable bounds on error compared to the high resolution model and execute at speeds that are typically orders of magnitude faster. iGen's input is a definition of the prognostic variables of the simplified model, a set of bounds on acceptable error and the source code of a model that captures the behaviour of interest. In the case of an atmospheric model, for example, this would be a global cloud resolving model with very high resolution. Although such a model would execute far too slowly to be used directly in a climate model, iGen never executes it. Instead, it converts the code of the resolving model into a mathematical expression which is then symbolically manipulated and approximated to form a simplified expression. This expression is then converted back into a computer program and output as a simplified model. iGen also derives and reports formal bounds on the error of the simplified model compared to the resolving model. These error bounds are always maintained below the user-specified acceptable error. Results will be presented illustrating the success of iGen's analysis of a number of example models. These extremely encouraging results have lead on to work which is currently underway to analyse a cloud resolving model and so produce an efficient parameterisation of moist convection with formally bounded error.

Teleport Generation 3 (Teleport Gen 3)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

Department of Defense DoDAF - DoD Architecture Framework FD - Full Deployment FDD - Full Deployment Decision FY - Fiscal Year IA - Information...144A) reported since the previous MAIS Annual Report to Congress. The program recently achieved a FDD from the MDA on February 13, 2015. Teleport Gen 3...February 13, 2015 granting approval of the FDD . Acronyms and Abbreviations MLGC - MUOS to Legacy UHF SATCOM Gateway Component MOT&E - Multiservice

Targeted NextGen Capabilities for 2025

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-01

increased arrival capacity to single runways by reducing longitudinal wake separation standards for Instrument Flight Rules ( IFR ) operations under certain...b. ABSTRACT unclassified c. THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Targeted NextGen Capabilities...The examples cited are not intended to cover every aircraft and every flight. In some instances, the available capabilities for 2025 will not be

GenExp: an interactive web-based genomic DAS client with client-side data rendering.

PubMed

Gel Moreno, Bernat; Messeguer Peypoch, Xavier

2011-01-01

The Distributed Annotation System (DAS) offers a standard protocol for sharing and integrating annotations on biological sequences. There are more than 1000 DAS sources available and the number is steadily increasing. Clients are an essential part of the DAS system and integrate data from several independent sources in order to create a useful representation to the user. While web-based DAS clients exist, most of them do not have direct interaction capabilities such as dragging and zooming with the mouse. Here we present GenExp, a web based and fully interactive visual DAS client. GenExp is a genome oriented DAS client capable of creating informative representations of genomic data zooming out from base level to complete chromosomes. It proposes a novel approach to genomic data rendering and uses the latest HTML5 web technologies to create the data representation inside the client browser. Thanks to client-side rendering most position changes do not need a network request to the server and so responses to zooming and panning are almost immediate. In GenExp it is possible to explore the genome intuitively moving it with the mouse just like geographical map applications. Additionally, in GenExp it is possible to have more than one data viewer at the same time and to save the current state of the application to revisit it later on. GenExp is a new interactive web-based client for DAS and addresses some of the short-comings of the existing clients. It uses client-side data rendering techniques resulting in easier genome browsing and exploration. GenExp is open source under the GPL license and it is freely available at http://gralggen.lsi.upc.edu/recerca/genexp.

GenExp: An Interactive Web-Based Genomic DAS Client with Client-Side Data Rendering

PubMed Central

Gel Moreno, Bernat; Messeguer Peypoch, Xavier

2011-01-01

Background The Distributed Annotation System (DAS) offers a standard protocol for sharing and integrating annotations on biological sequences. There are more than 1000 DAS sources available and the number is steadily increasing. Clients are an essential part of the DAS system and integrate data from several independent sources in order to create a useful representation to the user. While web-based DAS clients exist, most of them do not have direct interaction capabilities such as dragging and zooming with the mouse. Results Here we present GenExp, a web based and fully interactive visual DAS client. GenExp is a genome oriented DAS client capable of creating informative representations of genomic data zooming out from base level to complete chromosomes. It proposes a novel approach to genomic data rendering and uses the latest HTML5 web technologies to create the data representation inside the client browser. Thanks to client-side rendering most position changes do not need a network request to the server and so responses to zooming and panning are almost immediate. In GenExp it is possible to explore the genome intuitively moving it with the mouse just like geographical map applications. Additionally, in GenExp it is possible to have more than one data viewer at the same time and to save the current state of the application to revisit it later on. Conclusions GenExp is a new interactive web-based client for DAS and addresses some of the short-comings of the existing clients. It uses client-side data rendering techniques resulting in easier genome browsing and exploration. GenExp is open source under the GPL license and it is freely available at http://gralggen.lsi.upc.edu/recerca/genexp. PMID:21750706

Human-Automation Cooperation for Separation Assurance in Future NextGen Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mercer, Joey; Homola, Jeffrey; Cabrall, Christopher; Martin, Lynne; Morey, Susan; Gomez, Ashley; Prevot, Thomas

2014-01-01

A 2012 Human-In-The-Loop air traffic control simulation investigated a gradual paradigm-shift in the allocation of functions between operators and automation. Air traffic controllers staffed five adjacent high-altitude en route sectors, and during the course of a two-week experiment, worked traffic under different function-allocation approaches aligned with four increasingly mature NextGen operational environments. These NextGen time-frames ranged from near current-day operations to nearly fully-automated control, in which the ground systems automation was responsible for detecting conflicts, issuing strategic and tactical resolutions, and alerting the controller to exceptional circumstances. Results indicate that overall performance was best in the most automated NextGen environment. Safe operations were achieved in this environment for twice todays peak airspace capacity, while being rated by the controllers as highly acceptable. However, results show that sector operations were not always safe; separation violations did in fact occur. This paper will describe in detail the simulation conducted, as well discuss important results and their implications.

Characterization and design of the FutureGen 2.0 carbon storage site

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gilmore, Tyler; Bonneville, Alain; Sullivan, Charlotte

2016-10-01

The objective of the FutureGen 2.0 Project was to demonstrate, at the commercial scale, the technical feasibility of implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in a deep saline formation in Illinois, USA. Over approximately 5 years, the FutureGen Alliance conducted a detailed site-selection process and identified a site for carbon sequestration storage in Morgan County, Illinois. The storage site was fully characterized, including the collection of seismic data and the drilling and characterization of a stratigraphic borehole. The characterization data provided critical input for developing a site-specific conceptual model and subsequent numerical modeling simulations. The modeling simulations, coupled with themore » upstream designs of the pipeline and power plant supported the development of a detailed 90 percent design that included the injection wells and associated control and monitoring infrastructure. Collectively, all these data were used by the FutureGen Alliance to develop the required documentation to support the applications for four underground injection control (UIC) permits (one for each proposed well). In August 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued four, first-of-their-kind, Class VI UIC permits for carbon sequestration in the United States to the FutureGen Alliance. The information and data generated under this project have been made publically available through reports and publications, including this journal and others.« less

GenGIS 2: Geospatial Analysis of Traditional and Genetic Biodiversity, with New Gradient Algorithms and an Extensible Plugin Framework

PubMed Central

Parks, Donovan H.; Mankowski, Timothy; Zangooei, Somayyeh; Porter, Michael S.; Armanini, David G.; Baird, Donald J.; Langille, Morgan G. I.; Beiko, Robert G.

2013-01-01

GenGIS is free and open source software designed to integrate biodiversity data with a digital map and information about geography and habitat. While originally developed with microbial community analyses and phylogeography in mind, GenGIS has been applied to a wide range of datasets. A key feature of GenGIS is the ability to test geographic axes that can correspond to routes of migration or gradients that influence community similarity. Here we introduce GenGIS version 2, which extends the linear gradient tests introduced in the first version to allow comprehensive testing of all possible linear geographic axes. GenGIS v2 also includes a new plugin framework that supports the development and use of graphically driven analysis packages: initial plugins include implementations of linear regression and the Mantel test, calculations of alpha-diversity (e.g., Shannon Index) for all samples, and geographic visualizations of dissimilarity matrices. We have also implemented a recently published method for biomonitoring reference condition analysis (RCA), which compares observed species richness and diversity to predicted values to determine whether a given site has been impacted. The newest version of GenGIS supports vector data in addition to raster files. We demonstrate the new features of GenGIS by performing a full gradient analysis of an Australian kangaroo apple data set, by using plugins and embedded statistical commands to analyze human microbiome sample data, and by applying RCA to a set of samples from Atlantic Canada. GenGIS release versions, tutorials and documentation are freely available at http://kiwi.cs.dal.ca/GenGIS, and source code is available at https://github.com/beiko-lab/gengis. PMID:23922841

Structures and stability of metal-doped GenM (n = 9, 10) clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Wei; Lu, Wen-Cai; Xia, Lin-Hua; Zhao, Li-Zhen; Zang, Qing-Jun; Wang, C. Z.; Ho, K. M.

2015-06-01

The lowest-energy structures of neutral and cationic GenM (n = 9, 10; M = Si, Li, Mg, Al, Fe, Mn, Pb, Au, Ag, Yb, Pm and Dy) clusters were studied by genetic algorithm (GA) and first-principles calculations. The calculation results show that doping of the metal atoms and Si into Ge9 and Ge10 clusters is energetically favorable. Most of the metal-doped Ge cluster structures can be viewed as adding or substituting metal atom on the surface of the corresponding ground-state Gen clusters. However, the neutral and cationic FeGe9,10,MnGe9,10 and Ge10Al are cage-like with the metal atom encapsulated inside. Such cage-like transition metal doped Gen clusters are shown to have higher adsorption energy and thermal stability. Our calculation results suggest that Ge9,10Fe and Ge9Si would be used as building blocks in cluster-assembled nanomaterials because of their high stabilities.

GEN1 from a thermophilic fungus is functionally closely similar to non-eukaryotic junction-resolving enzymes.

PubMed

Freeman, Alasdair D J; Liu, Yijin; Déclais, Anne-Cécile; Gartner, Anton; Lilley, David M J

2014-12-12

Processing of Holliday junctions is essential in recombination. We have identified the gene for the junction-resolving enzyme GEN1 from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum and expressed the N-terminal 487-amino-acid section. The protein is a nuclease that is highly selective for four-way DNA junctions, cleaving 1nt 3' to the point of strand exchange on two strands symmetrically disposed about a diagonal axis. CtGEN1 binds to DNA junctions as a discrete homodimer with nanomolar affinity. Analysis of the kinetics of cruciform cleavage shows that cleavage of the second strand occurs an order of magnitude faster than the first cleavage so as to generate a productive resolution event. All these properties are closely similar to those described for bacterial, phage and mitochondrial junction-resolving enzymes. CtGEN1 is also similar in properties to the human enzyme but lacks the problems with aggregation that currently prevent detailed analysis of the latter protein. CtGEN1 is thus an excellent enzyme with which to engage in biophysical and structural analysis of eukaryotic GEN1. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

GenColors-based comparative genome databases for small eukaryotic genomes.

PubMed

Felder, Marius; Romualdi, Alessandro; Petzold, Andreas; Platzer, Matthias; Sühnel, Jürgen; Glöckner, Gernot

2013-01-01

Many sequence data repositories can give a quick and easily accessible overview on genomes and their annotations. Less widespread is the possibility to compare related genomes with each other in a common database environment. We have previously described the GenColors database system (http://gencolors.fli-leibniz.de) and its applications to a number of bacterial genomes such as Borrelia, Legionella, Leptospira and Treponema. This system has an emphasis on genome comparison. It combines data from related genomes and provides the user with an extensive set of visualization and analysis tools. Eukaryote genomes are normally larger than prokaryote genomes and thus pose additional challenges for such a system. We have, therefore, adapted GenColors to also handle larger datasets of small eukaryotic genomes and to display eukaryotic gene structures. Further recent developments include whole genome views, genome list options and, for bacterial genome browsers, the display of horizontal gene transfer predictions. Two new GenColors-based databases for two fungal species (http://fgb.fli-leibniz.de) and for four social amoebas (http://sacgb.fli-leibniz.de) were set up. Both new resources open up a single entry point for related genomes for the amoebozoa and fungal research communities and other interested users. Comparative genomics approaches are greatly facilitated by these resources.

How Does Mentoring Contribute to Gen Y Employees’ Intention to Stay? An Indian Perspective

PubMed Central

Naim, Mohammad Faraz; Lenka, Usha

2017-01-01

The present study is aimed at investigating the impact of mentoring on intention to stay of Gen Y employees working in Indian IT industry. Also, the mediating roles of perceived organization support and affective commitment are examined. Primary data were collected from a sample of 314 Gen Y employees (born between 1980-2000) from IT industry in Delhi, NCR India. Data analysis was carried out using AMOS and SPSS to test sequential mediation. Findings reveal that mentoring has a direct influence on intention to stay of Gen Y employees and perceived organization support and affective commitment sequentially mediate the relationship between the two. This study contributes to the literature on mentoring, perceived organization support, affective commitment, and intention to stay. PMID:28580029

Reclassification of rhizosphere bacteria including strains causing corky root of lettuce and proposal of Rhizorhapis suberifaciens gen. nov., comb. nov., Sphingobium mellinum sp. nov., Sphingobium xanthum sp. nov. and Rhizorhabdus argentea gen. nov., sp. nov.

PubMed

Francis, Isolde M; Jochimsen, Kenneth N; De Vos, Paul; van Bruggen, Ariena H C

2014-04-01

The genus Rhizorhapis gen. nov. (to replace the illegitimate genus name Rhizomonas) is proposed for strains of Gram-negative bacteria causing corky root of lettuce, a widespread and important lettuce disease worldwide. Only one species of the genus Rhizomonas was described, Rhizomonas suberifaciens, which was subsequently reclassified as Sphingomonas suberifaciens based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the presence of sphingoglycolipid in the cell envelope. However, the genus Sphingomonas is so diverse that further reclassification was deemed necessary. Twenty new Rhizorhapis gen. nov.- and Sphingomonas-like isolates were obtained from lettuce or sow thistle roots, or from soil using lettuce seedlings as bait. These and previously reported isolates were characterized in a polyphasic study including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA-DNA hybridization, DNA G+C content, whole-cell fatty acid composition, morphology, substrate oxidation, temperature and pH sensitivity, and pathogenicity to lettuce. The isolates causing lettuce corky root belonged to the genera Rhizorhapis gen. nov., Sphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Rhizorhabdus gen. nov. More specifically, we propose to reclassify Rhizomonas suberifaciens as Rhizorhapis suberifaciens gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain, CA1(T) = LMG 17323(T) = ATCC 49355(T)), and also propose the novel species Sphingobium xanthum sp. nov., Sphingobium mellinum sp. nov. and Rhizorhabdus argentea gen. nov., sp. nov. with the type strains NL9(T) ( = LMG 12560(T) = ATCC 51296(T)), WI4(T) ( = LMG 11032(T) = ATCC 51292(T)) and SP1(T) ( = LMG 12581(T) = ATCC 51289(T)), respectively. Several strains isolated from lettuce roots belonged to the genus Sphingomonas, but none of them were pathogenic.

Identification and Characterization of Key Human Performance Issues and Research in the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Paul U.; Sheridan, Tom; Poage, james L.; Martin, Lynne Hazel; Jobe, Kimberly K.

2010-01-01

This report identifies key human-performance-related issues associated with Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) research in the NASA NextGen-Airspace Project. Four Research Focus Areas (RFAs) in the NextGen-Airspace Project - namely Separation Assurance (SA), Airspace Super Density Operations (ASDO), Traffic Flow Management (TFM), and Dynamic Airspace Configuration (DAC) - were examined closely. In the course of the research, it was determined that the identified human performance issues needed to be analyzed in the context of NextGen operations rather than through basic human factors research. The main gaps in human factors research in NextGen were found in the need for accurate identification of key human-systems related issues within the context of specific NextGen concepts and better design of the operational requirements for those concepts. By focusing on human-system related issues for individual concepts, key human performance issues for the four RFAs were identified and described in this report. In addition, mixed equipage airspace with components of two RFAs were characterized to illustrate potential human performance issues that arise from the integration of multiple concepts.

Integrated Design and Production Reference Integration with ArchGenXML V1.00

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barter, R H

2004-07-20

ArchGenXML is a tool that allows easy creation of Zope products through the use of Archetypes. The Integrated Design and Production Reference (IDPR) should be highly configurable in order to meet the needs of a diverse engineering community. Ease of configuration is key to the success of IDPR. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method of using a UML diagram editor to configure IDPR through ArchGenXML and Archetypes.

78 FR 8108 - NextGen Solutions Vendors Guide

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-05

... Commerce is developing a web-based NextGen Solutions Vendors Guide intended to be used by foreign air... being listed on the Vendors Guide Web site should submit their company's name, Web site address, contact... to aviation system upgrades) Example: Engineering Services More information on the four ICAO ASBU...

Generalized background error covariance matrix model (GEN_BE v2.0)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Descombes, G.; Auligné, T.; Vandenberghe, F.; Barker, D. M.; Barré, J.

2015-03-01

The specification of state background error statistics is a key component of data assimilation since it affects the impact observations will have on the analysis. In the variational data assimilation approach, applied in geophysical sciences, the dimensions of the background error covariance matrix (B) are usually too large to be explicitly determined and B needs to be modeled. Recent efforts to include new variables in the analysis such as cloud parameters and chemical species have required the development of the code to GENerate the Background Errors (GEN_BE) version 2.0 for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) community model. GEN_BE allows for a simpler, flexible, robust, and community-oriented framework that gathers methods used by some meteorological operational centers and researchers. We present the advantages of this new design for the data assimilation community by performing benchmarks of different modeling of B and showing some of the new features in data assimilation test cases. As data assimilation for clouds remains a challenge, we present a multivariate approach that includes hydrometeors in the control variables and new correlated errors. In addition, the GEN_BE v2.0 code is employed to diagnose error parameter statistics for chemical species, which shows that it is a tool flexible enough to implement new control variables. While the generation of the background errors statistics code was first developed for atmospheric research, the new version (GEN_BE v2.0) can be easily applied to other domains of science and chosen to diagnose and model B. Initially developed for variational data assimilation, the model of the B matrix may be useful for variational ensemble hybrid methods as well.

Measuring GE^n at High Momentum Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feuerbach, Robert

2006-11-01

A precision measurement of the electric form-factor of the neutron, GE^n, at Q^2 up to 3.5 GeV^2 was recently completed in Hall A at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility(Jefferson Lab). The ratio of the electric to magnetic form-factors of the neutron, GE^n/GM^n, was measured through the beam-target asymmetry A of electrons quasi-elastically scattered off neutrons in the reaction ^3He(e,e' n). The experiment took advantage of recent developments of the electron beam and target, as well as two detectors new to Jefferson Lab. The measurement used the accelerator's 100% duty-cycle high-polarization (typically 84%) electron beam and a new, hybrid optically-pumped polarized ^3He target which achieved in-beam polarizations in excess of 50%. A medium acceptance (80msr) open-geometry magnetic spectrometer (BigBite) detected the scattered electron, while a newly contructed neutron detector observed the released neutron. An overview of the experiment and the experimental motivation will be discussed, in particular the large range of predictions from modern calculations for GE^n at this relatively high Q^2. Finally, the analysis progress and preliminary results will be presented.

MitoGen: A Framework for Generating 3D Synthetic Time-Lapse Sequences of Cell Populations in Fluorescence Microscopy.

PubMed

Svoboda, David; Ulman, Vladimir

2017-01-01

The proper analysis of biological microscopy images is an important and complex task. Therefore, it requires verification of all steps involved in the process, including image segmentation and tracking algorithms. It is generally better to verify algorithms with computer-generated ground truth datasets, which, compared to manually annotated data, nowadays have reached high quality and can be produced in large quantities even for 3D time-lapse image sequences. Here, we propose a novel framework, called MitoGen, which is capable of generating ground truth datasets with fully 3D time-lapse sequences of synthetic fluorescence-stained cell populations. MitoGen shows biologically justified cell motility, shape and texture changes as well as cell divisions. Standard fluorescence microscopy phenomena such as photobleaching, blur with real point spread function (PSF), and several types of noise, are simulated to obtain realistic images. The MitoGen framework is scalable in both space and time. MitoGen generates visually plausible data that shows good agreement with real data in terms of image descriptors and mean square displacement (MSD) trajectory analysis. Additionally, it is also shown in this paper that four publicly available segmentation and tracking algorithms exhibit similar performance on both real and MitoGen-generated data. The implementation of MitoGen is freely available.

ORPC RivGen controller performance raw data - Igiugig 2015

DOE Data Explorer

McEntee, Jarlath

2015-12-18

Contains raw data for operations of Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) RivGen Power System in Igiugig 2015 in Matlab data file format. Two data files capture the data and timestamps for data, including power in, voltage, rotation rate, and velocity.

Complete cDNAs from Brachymyrmex patagonicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). --GenBank accession numbers: GU582126-GU582140.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

15 new gene sequences were identified from workers of Brachymyrmex patagonicus, and submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank. GenBank accession numbers are GU582126-GU582140. This information will provide scientists with genetic tools to study the development and the p...

Complete cDNAs from Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). --GenBank accession numbers: HM130684-HM130685.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

2 new gene sequences were identified from workers of Solenopsis invicta, and submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank. GenBank accession numbers are HM130684-HM130685. This information will provide scientists with genetic tools to study the populations of this ant....

Haneen Shalabi receives The Children’s Cancer Foundation Next Gen Award | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Haneen Shalabi, D.O., a Physician in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, received the 2017 Next Gen Award from the Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc (CCF). As the highest award CCF presents to individual researchers, the Next Gen Award recognizes young investigators who are committed to pursuing a long-term career in pediatric oncology research. Read more... 

PanCoreGen - Profiling, detecting, annotating protein-coding genes in microbial genomes.

PubMed

Paul, Sandip; Bhardwaj, Archana; Bag, Sumit K; Sokurenko, Evgeni V; Chattopadhyay, Sujay

2015-12-01

A large amount of genomic data, especially from multiple isolates of a single species, has opened new vistas for microbial genomics analysis. Analyzing the pan-genome (i.e. the sum of genetic repertoire) of microbial species is crucial in understanding the dynamics of molecular evolution, where virulence evolution is of major interest. Here we present PanCoreGen - a standalone application for pan- and core-genomic profiling of microbial protein-coding genes. PanCoreGen overcomes key limitations of the existing pan-genomic analysis tools, and develops an integrated annotation-structure for a species-specific pan-genomic profile. It provides important new features for annotating draft genomes/contigs and detecting unidentified genes in annotated genomes. It also generates user-defined group-specific datasets within the pan-genome. Interestingly, analyzing an example-set of Salmonella genomes, we detect potential footprints of adaptive convergence of horizontally transferred genes in two human-restricted pathogenic serovars - Typhi and Paratyphi A. Overall, PanCoreGen represents a state-of-the-art tool for microbial phylogenomics and pathogenomics study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Complete cDNAs from Nylanderia sp. nr. pubens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). GenBank GU980916-GU980928.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

13 new gene sequences were identified from workers of Rasberry crazy ant, Nylanderia sp.nr. pubens, and submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank. GenBank accession numbers are GU980916-GU980928. This information will provide scientists with genetic tools to study the p...

GenAlEx 6.5: genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research--an update.

PubMed

Peakall, Rod; Smouse, Peter E

2012-10-01

GenAlEx: Genetic Analysis in Excel is a cross-platform package for population genetic analyses that runs within Microsoft Excel. GenAlEx offers analysis of diploid codominant, haploid and binary genetic loci and DNA sequences. Both frequency-based (F-statistics, heterozygosity, HWE, population assignment, relatedness) and distance-based (AMOVA, PCoA, Mantel tests, multivariate spatial autocorrelation) analyses are provided. New features include calculation of new estimators of population structure: G'(ST), G''(ST), Jost's D(est) and F'(ST) through AMOVA, Shannon Information analysis, linkage disequilibrium analysis for biallelic data and novel heterogeneity tests for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Export to more than 30 other data formats is provided. Teaching tutorials and expanded step-by-step output options are included. The comprehensive guide has been fully revised. GenAlEx is written in VBA and provided as a Microsoft Excel Add-in (compatible with Excel 2003, 2007, 2010 on PC; Excel 2004, 2011 on Macintosh). GenAlEx, and supporting documentation and tutorials are freely available at: http://biology.anu.edu.au/GenAlEx. rod.peakall@anu.edu.au.

GWAS in a Box: Statistical and Visual Analytics of Structured Associations via GenAMap

PubMed Central

Xing, Eric P.; Curtis, Ross E.; Schoenherr, Georg; Lee, Seunghak; Yin, Junming; Puniyani, Kriti; Wu, Wei; Kinnaird, Peter

2014-01-01

With the continuous improvement in genotyping and molecular phenotyping technology and the decreasing typing cost, it is expected that in a few years, more and more clinical studies of complex diseases will recruit thousands of individuals for pan-omic genetic association analyses. Hence, there is a great need for algorithms and software tools that could scale up to the whole omic level, integrate different omic data, leverage rich structure information, and be easily accessible to non-technical users. We present GenAMap, an interactive analytics software platform that 1) automates the execution of principled machine learning methods that detect genome- and phenome-wide associations among genotypes, gene expression data, and clinical or other macroscopic traits, and 2) provides new visualization tools specifically designed to aid in the exploration of association mapping results. Algorithmically, GenAMap is based on a new paradigm for GWAS and PheWAS analysis, termed structured association mapping, which leverages various structures in the omic data. We demonstrate the function of GenAMap via a case study of the Brem and Kruglyak yeast dataset, and then apply it on a comprehensive eQTL analysis of the NIH heterogeneous stock mice dataset and report some interesting findings. GenAMap is available from http://sailing.cs.cmu.edu/genamap. PMID:24905018

Discourses in Conflict: The Relationship between Gen Y Pre-Service Teachers, Digital Technologies and Lifelong Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Donnison, Sharn

2009-01-01

This paper analyses Gen Y pre-service primary school teachers' conceptualisations of lifelong learning. It is situated within a context of improving the provision and delivery of pre-service teacher education. This paper argues that Gen Y's understanding of lifelong learning has been influenced by their engagements with digital technologies and…

Transfer of Pseudomonas flectens Johnson 1956 to Phaseolibacter gen. nov., in the family Enterobacteriaceae, as Phaseolibacter flectens gen. nov., comb. nov.

PubMed

Halpern, Malka; Fridman, Svetlana; Aizenberg-Gershtein, Yana; Izhaki, Ido

2013-01-01

Pseudomonas flectens Johnson 1956, a plant-pathogenic bacterium on the pods of the French bean, is no longer considered to be a member of the genus Pseudomonas sensu stricto. A polyphasic approach that included examination of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, rpoB and atpD gene sequences supported the transfer of Pseudomonas flectens Johnson 1956 to a new genus in the family Enterobacteriaceae as Phaseolibacter flectens gen. nov., comb. nov. Two strains of Phaseolibacter flectens were studied (ATCC 12775(T) and LMG 2186); the strains shared 99.8 % sequence similarity in their 16S rRNA genes and the housekeeping gene sequences were identical. Strains of Phaseolibacter flectens shared 96.6 % or less 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with members of different genera in the family Enterobacteriaceae and only 84.7 % sequence similarity with Pseudomonas aeruginosa LMG 1242(T), demonstrating that they are not related to the genus Pseudomonas. As Phaseolibacter flectens formed an independent phyletic lineage in all of the phylogenetic analyses, it could not be affiliated to any of the recognized genera within the family Enterobacteriaceae and therefore was assigned to a new genus. Cells were Gram-negative, straight rods, motile by means of one or two polar flagella, fermentative, facultative anaerobes, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-60 % sucrose. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 44.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, Pseudomonas flectens Johnson 1956 is transferred to the novel genus Phaseolibacter gen. nov. as Phaseolibacter flectens gen. nov., comb. nov. The type strain of Phaseolibacter flectens is ATCC 12775(T) = CFBP 3281(T) = ICMP 745(T) = LMG 2187(T) = NCPPB 539(T).

Dedicated Caravan Sites for French Gens du Voyage: Public Health Policy or Construction of Health and Environmental Inequalities?

PubMed

Foisneau, Lise

2017-12-01

In France, gens du voyage ("people who travel" or "travellers") is a term used by the government to categorize various itinerant populations, the majority of which are diverse Romani groups. People categorized as gens du voyage are legally required to reside in particular locations called "dedicated caravan sites." Parliamentary debates about these dedicated caravan sites have clarified that one of the objectives of such sites is to help fulfill the gens du voyage 's right to health. However, there is a significant gap between the officially stated goals of such sites and the reality of life within them. This paper draws on research finding that the conditions in most dedicated caravan sites do not conform with the rights of gens du voyage to acceptable sanitary conditions and other underlying determinants of health.

Targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS): a scalable next-gen approach to multilocus, multitaxa phylogenetics.

PubMed

Bybee, Seth M; Bracken-Grissom, Heather; Haynes, Benjamin D; Hermansen, Russell A; Byers, Robert L; Clement, Mark J; Udall, Joshua A; Wilcox, Edward R; Crandall, Keith A

2011-01-01

Next-gen sequencing technologies have revolutionized data collection in genetic studies and advanced genome biology to novel frontiers. However, to date, next-gen technologies have been used principally for whole genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Yet many questions in population genetics and systematics rely on sequencing specific genes of known function or diversity levels. Here, we describe a targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS) approach capitalizing on next-gen capacity to sequence large numbers of targeted gene regions from a large number of samples. Our TAS approach is easily scalable, simple in execution, neither time-nor labor-intensive, relatively inexpensive, and can be applied to a broad diversity of organisms and/or genes. Our TAS approach includes a bioinformatic application, BarcodeCrucher, to take raw next-gen sequence reads and perform quality control checks and convert the data into FASTA format organized by gene and sample, ready for phylogenetic analyses. We demonstrate our approach by sequencing targeted genes of known phylogenetic utility to estimate a phylogeny for the Pancrustacea. We generated data from 44 taxa using 68 different 10-bp multiplexing identifiers. The overall quality of data produced was robust and was informative for phylogeny estimation. The potential for this method to produce copious amounts of data from a single 454 plate (e.g., 325 taxa for 24 loci) significantly reduces sequencing expenses incurred from traditional Sanger sequencing. We further discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method, while offering suggestions to enhance the approach.

Targeted Amplicon Sequencing (TAS): A Scalable Next-Gen Approach to Multilocus, Multitaxa Phylogenetics

PubMed Central

Bybee, Seth M.; Bracken-Grissom, Heather; Haynes, Benjamin D.; Hermansen, Russell A.; Byers, Robert L.; Clement, Mark J.; Udall, Joshua A.; Wilcox, Edward R.; Crandall, Keith A.

2011-01-01

Next-gen sequencing technologies have revolutionized data collection in genetic studies and advanced genome biology to novel frontiers. However, to date, next-gen technologies have been used principally for whole genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Yet many questions in population genetics and systematics rely on sequencing specific genes of known function or diversity levels. Here, we describe a targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS) approach capitalizing on next-gen capacity to sequence large numbers of targeted gene regions from a large number of samples. Our TAS approach is easily scalable, simple in execution, neither time-nor labor-intensive, relatively inexpensive, and can be applied to a broad diversity of organisms and/or genes. Our TAS approach includes a bioinformatic application, BarcodeCrucher, to take raw next-gen sequence reads and perform quality control checks and convert the data into FASTA format organized by gene and sample, ready for phylogenetic analyses. We demonstrate our approach by sequencing targeted genes of known phylogenetic utility to estimate a phylogeny for the Pancrustacea. We generated data from 44 taxa using 68 different 10-bp multiplexing identifiers. The overall quality of data produced was robust and was informative for phylogeny estimation. The potential for this method to produce copious amounts of data from a single 454 plate (e.g., 325 taxa for 24 loci) significantly reduces sequencing expenses incurred from traditional Sanger sequencing. We further discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method, while offering suggestions to enhance the approach. PMID:22002916

NetGen: a novel network-based probabilistic generative model for gene set functional enrichment analysis.

PubMed

Sun, Duanchen; Liu, Yinliang; Zhang, Xiang-Sun; Wu, Ling-Yun

2017-09-21

High-throughput experimental techniques have been dramatically improved and widely applied in the past decades. However, biological interpretation of the high-throughput experimental results, such as differential expression gene sets derived from microarray or RNA-seq experiments, is still a challenging task. Gene Ontology (GO) is commonly used in the functional enrichment studies. The GO terms identified via current functional enrichment analysis tools often contain direct parent or descendant terms in the GO hierarchical structure. Highly redundant terms make users difficult to analyze the underlying biological processes. In this paper, a novel network-based probabilistic generative model, NetGen, was proposed to perform the functional enrichment analysis. An additional protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was explicitly used to assist the identification of significantly enriched GO terms. NetGen achieved a superior performance than the existing methods in the simulation studies. The effectiveness of NetGen was explored further on four real datasets. Notably, several GO terms which were not directly linked with the active gene list for each disease were identified. These terms were closely related to the corresponding diseases when accessed to the curated literatures. NetGen has been implemented in the R package CopTea publicly available at GitHub ( http://github.com/wulingyun/CopTea/ ). Our procedure leads to a more reasonable and interpretable result of the functional enrichment analysis. As a novel term combination-based functional enrichment analysis method, NetGen is complementary to current individual term-based methods, and can help to explore the underlying pathogenesis of complex diseases.

Description of a new genus, Galgoria gen. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae: Leptopsaltriini: Leptopsaltriina).

PubMed

Lee, Young June

2016-05-10

A new cicada genus, Galgoria gen. nov., is described with Tanna herzbergi Schmidt, 1932 (from southern China) as its type species, which is placed in the subtribe Leptopsaltriina Moulton, 1923 of the tribe Leptopsaltriini Moulton, 1923 in the subfamily Cicadinae Latreille, 1802 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). Tanna herzbergi Schmidt, 1932 is transferred from Tanna Distant, 1905 to Galgoria gen. nov. to become Galgoria herzbergi (Schmidt, 1932) comb. nov. Tanna apicalis Chen, 1940 syn. nov. and Tanna pseudocalis Lei & Chou, 1997 syn. nov. are synonymized here with Galgoria herzbergi (Schmidt, 1932) comb. nov.

Gen-27, a newly synthesized flavonoid, inhibits glycolysis and induces cell apoptosis via suppression of hexokinase II in human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Tao, Lei; Wei, Libing; Liu, Yishi; Ding, Yang; Liu, Xiuting; Zhang, Xin; Wang, Xiaoping; Yao, Yuyuan; Lu, Jinrong; Wang, Qing; Hu, Rong

2017-02-01

We have previously reported that Gen-27, a newly synthesized flavonoid, exhibits anticancer effects against human colorectal cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects in human breast cancer cell lines and its underlying mechanisms. We demonstrated that Gen-27 inhibited the growth and proliferation of human breast cancer cells in concentration and time-dependent manners. It was found that Gen-27 induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, characterized by the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), cytochrome c (Cyt c) release from mitochondria to cytosol, activation of caspases and induction of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In addition, Gen-27 inhibited the glycolysis in human breast cancer cells. After treatment with Gen-27, the expression of HKII was down-regulated, accompanied by weakened interaction of HKII and VDAC. Further research revealed that the induction of mitochondrial apoptosis was associated with the decrease of HKII expression by Gen-27. Finally, in vivo studies demonstrated that Gen-27 significantly suppressed the growth and promoted apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer orthotopic tumors with low systemic toxicity. In conclusion, the results showed that Gen-27 had significant anticancer effects against human breast cancer and it may potentially be used as a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of breast cancer. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

78 FR 77670 - AlphaGen Power LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER14-630-000] AlphaGen Power LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding, of AlphaGen Power...

Complete cDNAs from Nylanderia cf. pubens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). --GenBank accession numbers: JF815100-JF815104

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

5 new gene sequences were identified from workers of Caribbean crazy ant, Nylanderia cf. pubens, and submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank. GenBank accession numbers are JF815100-JF815104. This information will provide scientists with genetic tools to study the popu...

Dual-track CCS stakeholder engagement: Lessons learned from FutureGen in Illinois

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hund, G.; Greenberg, S.E.

2011-01-01

FutureGen, as originally planned, was to be the world's first coal-fueled, near-zero emissions power plant with fully integrated, 90% carbon capture and storage (CCS). From conception through siting and design, it enjoyed strong support from multiple stakeholder groups, which benefited the overall project. Understanding the stakeholder engagement process for this project provides valuable insights into the design of stakeholder programs for future CCS projects. FutureGen is one of few projects worldwide that used open competition for siting both the power plant and storage reservoir. Most site proposals were coordinated by State governments. It was unique in this and other respects relative to the site selection method used on other DOE-supported projects. At the time of site selection, FutureGen was the largest proposed facility designed to combine an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) coal-fueled power plant with a CCS system. Stakeholder engagement by states and the industry consortium responsible for siting, designing, building, and operating the facility took place simultaneously and on parallel tracks. On one track were states spearheading state-wide site assessments to identify candidate sites that they wanted to propose for consideration. On the other track was a public-private partnership between an industry consortium of thirteen coal companies and electric utilities that comprised the FutureGen Alliance (Alliance) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The partnership was based on a cooperative agreement signed by both parties, which assigned the lead for siting to the Alliance. This paper describes the stakeholder engagement strategies used on both of these tracks and provides examples from the engagement process using the Illinois semi-finalist sites. ?? 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms increased the accuracy of two prediction scores for the risk of acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.

PubMed

Pop, Tudor Radu; Vesa, Ştefan Cristian; Trifa, Adrian Pavel; Crişan, Sorin; Buzoianu, Anca Dana

2014-01-01

This study investigates the accuracy of two scores in predicting the risk of acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. The study included 170 patients [85 (50%) women and 85 (50%) men] who were diagnosed with acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with duplex ultrasonography. Median age was 62 (52.75; 72) years. The control group consisted of 166 subjects [96 (57.8%) women and 70 (42.2%) men], without DVT, matched for age (± one year) to those in the group with DVT. The patients and controls were selected from those admitted to the internal medicine, cardiology and geriatrics wards within the Municipal Hospital of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between October 2009 and June 2011. Clinical, demographic and lab data were recorded for each patient. For each patient we calculated the prior risk of DVT using two prediction scores: Caprini and Padua. According to the Padua score only 93 (54.7%) patients with DVT had been at high risk of developing DVT, while 48 (28.9%) of controls were at high risk of developing DVT. When Padua score included PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms, the sensitivity increased at 71.7%. Using the Caprini score, we determined that 147 (86.4%) patients with DVT had been at high risk of developing DVT, while 103 (62%) controls were at high risk of developing DVT. A Caprini score higher than 5 was the strongest predictor of acute lower extremity DVT risk. The Caprini prediction score was more sensitive than the Padua score in assessing the high risk of DVT in medical patients. PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms increased the sensitivity of Padua score.

Next Gen NEAR: Near Earth Asteroid Human Robotic Precursor Mission Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rivkin, Andrew S.; Kirby, Karen; Cheng, Andrew F.; Gold, Robert; Kelly, Daniel; Reed, Cheryl; Abell, Paul; Garvin, James; Landis, Rob

2012-01-01

Asteroids have long held the attention of the planetary science community. In particular, asteroids that evolve into orbits near that of Earth, called near-Earth objects (NEO), are of high interest as potential targets for exploration due to the relative ease (in terms of delta V) to reach them. NASA's Flexible Path calls for missions and experiments to be conducted as intermediate steps towards the eventual goal of human exploration of Mars; piloted missions to NEOs are such example. A human NEO mission is a valuable exploratory step beyond the Earth-Moon system enhancing capabilities that surpass our current experience, while also developing infrastructure for future mars exploration capabilities. To prepare for a human rendezvous with an NEO, NASA is interested in pursuing a responsible program of robotic NEO precursor missions. Next Gen NEAR is such a mission, building on the NEAR Shoemaker mission experience at the JHU/APL Space Department, to provide an affordable, low risk solution with quick data return. Next Gen NEAR proposes to make measurements needed for human exploration to asteroids: to demonstrate proximity operations, to quantify hazards for human exploration and to characterize an environment at a near-Earth asteroid representative of those that may be future human destinations. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has demonstrated exploration-driven mission feasibility by developing a versatile spacecraft design concept using conventional technologies that satisfies a set of science, exploration and mission objectives defined by a concept development team in the summer of 2010. We will describe the mission concept and spacecraft architecture in detail. Configuration options were compared with the mission goals and objectives in order to select the spacecraft design concept that provides the lowest cost, lowest implementation risk, simplest operation and the most benefit for the mission implementation. The Next Gen NEAR

GenAlEx 6.5: genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research—an update

PubMed Central

Peakall, Rod; Smouse, Peter E.

2012-01-01

Summary: GenAlEx: Genetic Analysis in Excel is a cross-platform package for population genetic analyses that runs within Microsoft Excel. GenAlEx offers analysis of diploid codominant, haploid and binary genetic loci and DNA sequences. Both frequency-based (F-statistics, heterozygosity, HWE, population assignment, relatedness) and distance-based (AMOVA, PCoA, Mantel tests, multivariate spatial autocorrelation) analyses are provided. New features include calculation of new estimators of population structure: G′ST, G′′ST, Jost’s Dest and F′ST through AMOVA, Shannon Information analysis, linkage disequilibrium analysis for biallelic data and novel heterogeneity tests for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Export to more than 30 other data formats is provided. Teaching tutorials and expanded step-by-step output options are included. The comprehensive guide has been fully revised. Availability and implementation: GenAlEx is written in VBA and provided as a Microsoft Excel Add-in (compatible with Excel 2003, 2007, 2010 on PC; Excel 2004, 2011 on Macintosh). GenAlEx, and supporting documentation and tutorials are freely available at: http://biology.anu.edu.au/GenAlEx. Contact: rod.peakall@anu.edu.au PMID:22820204

Data-Link and Surface Map Traffic Intent Displays for NextGen 4DT and Equivalent Visual Surface Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelton, Kevin J.; Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Arthur, Jarvis J., III; Jones, Deise R.; Allamandola, Angela S.; Bailey, Randall E.

2009-01-01

By 2025, U.S. air traffic is predicted to increase 3-fold and may strain the current air traffic management system, which may not be able to accommodate this growth. In response to this challenge, a consortium of industry, academia and government agencies have proposed a revolutionary new concept for U.S. aviation operations, termed the Next Generation Air Transportation System or "NextGen". Many key capabilities are being identified to enable NextGen, including the concept of "net-centric" operations whereby each aircraft and air services provider shares information to allow real-time adaptability to ever-changing factors such as weather, traffic, flight trajectories, and security. Data-link is likely to be the primary source of communication in NextGen. Because NextGen represents a radically different approach to air traffic management and requires a dramatic shift in the tasks, roles, and responsibilities for the flight deck, there are numerous research issues and challenges that must be overcome to ensure a safe, sustainable air transportation system. Flight deck display and crew-vehicle interaction concepts are being developed that proactively investigate and overcome potential technology and safety barriers that might otherwise constrain the full realization of NextGen.

GenIce: Hydrogen-Disordered Ice Generator.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Masakazu; Yagasaki, Takuma; Tanaka, Hideki

2018-01-05

GenIce is an efficient and user-friendly tool to generate hydrogen-disordered ice structures. It makes ice and clathrate hydrate structures in various file formats. More than 100 kinds of structures are preset. Users can install their own crystal structures, guest molecules, and file formats as plugins. The algorithm certifies that the generated structures are completely randomized hydrogen-disordered networks obeying the ice rule with zero net polarization. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Paramagnetic-to-nonmagnetic transition in antiperovskite nitride Cr3GeN studied by 14N-NMR and µSR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takao, K.; Liu, Z.; Uji, K.; Waki, T.; Tabata, Y.; Watanabe, I.; Nakamura, H.

2017-06-01

The antiperovskite-related nitride Cr3GeN forms a tetragonal structure with the space group P\\bar{4}{2}1m at room temperature. It shows a tetragonal (P\\bar{4}{2}1m) to tetragonal (I4/mcm) structural transition with a large hysteresis at 300-400 K. The magnetic susceptibility of Cr3GeN shows Curie-Weiss type temperature dependence at high temperature, but is almost temperature-independent below room temperature. We carried out µSR and 14N-NMR microscopy measurements to reveal the magnetic ground state of Cr3GeN. Gradual muon spin relaxation, which is nearly temperature-independent below room temperature, was observed, indicating that Cr3GeN is magnetically inactive. In the 14N-NMR measurement, a quadrupole-split spectrum was obtained at around 14 K = 0. The temperature dependence of 14(1/T1) satisfies the Korringa relation. These experimental results indicate that the ground state of Cr3GeN is Pauli paramagnetic, without antiferromagnetic long-range order.

Case study of read-across predictions using a Generalized Read-Across (GenRA) Approach (10th World Congress)

EPA Science Inventory

We developed the Generalized Read-Across (GenRA) approach to facilitate automated, algorithmic read across predictions. GenRA uses in vitro bioactivity data in conjunction with chemical information to predict up to 574 different apical outcomes from repeat-dose toxicity studies. ...

NextGen Weather Plan, Version 1.1

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-17

values of weather parameters at a station or over an area. In this paper, we often refer to aeronautical climatology, which is the application of the data...Joint Planning and Development Office NEXTGEN Weather Plan Version 1.1 Version 1.1 i September 17, 2009 Report Documentation Page Form...COVERED 00-00-2009 to 00-00-2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE NextGen Weather Plan 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

pGenN, a gene normalization tool for plant genes and proteins in scientific literature.

PubMed

Ding, Ruoyao; Arighi, Cecilia N; Lee, Jung-Youn; Wu, Cathy H; Vijay-Shanker, K

2015-01-01

Automatically detecting gene/protein names in the literature and connecting them to databases records, also known as gene normalization, provides a means to structure the information buried in free-text literature. Gene normalization is critical for improving the coverage of annotation in the databases, and is an essential component of many text mining systems and database curation pipelines. In this manuscript, we describe a gene normalization system specifically tailored for plant species, called pGenN (pivot-based Gene Normalization). The system consists of three steps: dictionary-based gene mention detection, species assignment, and intra species normalization. We have developed new heuristics to improve each of these phases. We evaluated the performance of pGenN on an in-house expertly annotated corpus consisting of 104 plant relevant abstracts. Our system achieved an F-value of 88.9% (Precision 90.9% and Recall 87.2%) on this corpus, outperforming state-of-art systems presented in BioCreative III. We have processed over 440,000 plant-related Medline abstracts using pGenN. The gene normalization results are stored in a local database for direct query from the pGenN web interface (proteininformationresource.org/pgenn/). The annotated literature corpus is also publicly available through the PIR text mining portal (proteininformationresource.org/iprolink/).

Complexity analysis of the Next Gen Air Traffic Management System: trajectory based operations.

PubMed

Lyons, Rhonda

2012-01-01

According to Federal Aviation Administration traffic predictions currently our Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is operating at 150 percent capacity; forecasting that within the next two decades, the traffic with increase to a staggering 250 percent [17]. This will require a major redesign of our system. Today's ATM system is complex. It is designed to safely, economically, and efficiently provide air traffic services through the cost-effective provision of facilities and seamless services in collaboration with multiple agents however, contrary the vision, the system is loosely integrated and is suffering tremendously from antiquated equipment and saturated airways. The new Next Generation (Next Gen) ATM system is designed to transform the current system into an agile, robust and responsive set of operations that are designed to safely manage the growing needs of the projected increasingly complex, diverse set of air transportation system users and massive projected worldwide traffic rates. This new revolutionary technology-centric system is dynamically complex and is much more sophisticated than it's soon to be predecessor. ATM system failures could yield large scale catastrophic consequences as it is a safety critical system. This work will attempt to describe complexity and the complex nature of the NextGen ATM system and Trajectory Based Operational. Complex human factors interactions within Next Gen will be analyzed using a proposed dual experimental approach designed to identify hazards, gaps and elicit emergent hazards that would not be visible if conducted in isolation. Suggestions will be made along with a proposal for future human factors research in the TBO safety critical Next Gen environment.

Geophysical Monitoring Methods Evaluation for the FutureGen 2.0 Project

DOE PAGES

Strickland, Chris E.; USA, Richland Washington; Vermeul, Vince R.; ...

2014-12-31

A comprehensive monitoring program will be needed in order to assess the effectiveness of carbon sequestration at the FutureGen 2.0 carbon capture and storage (CCS) field-site. Geophysical monitoring methods are sensitive to subsurface changes that result from injection of CO 2 and will be used for: (1) tracking the spatial extent of the free phase CO 2 plume, (2) monitoring advancement of the pressure front, (3) identifying or mapping areas where induced seismicity occurs, and (4) identifying and mapping regions of increased risk for brine or CO 2 leakage from the reservoir. Site-specific suitability and cost effectiveness were evaluated formore » a number of geophysical monitoring methods including: passive seismic monitoring, reflection seismic imaging, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, pulsed neutron capture logging, cross-borehole seismic, electrical resistivity tomography, magnetotellurics and controlled source electromagnetics. The results of this evaluation indicate that CO 2 injection monitoring using reflection seismic methods would likely be difficult at the FutureGen 2.0 site. Electrical methods also exhibited low sensitivity to the expected CO 2 saturation changes and would be affected by metallic infrastructure at the field site. Passive seismic, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, and pulsed neutron capture monitoring were selected for implementation as part of the FutureGen 2.0 storage site monitoring program.« less

Geophysical Monitoring Methods Evaluation for the FutureGen 2.0 Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Strickland, Chris E.; USA, Richland Washington; Vermeul, Vince R.

A comprehensive monitoring program will be needed in order to assess the effectiveness of carbon sequestration at the FutureGen 2.0 carbon capture and storage (CCS) field-site. Geophysical monitoring methods are sensitive to subsurface changes that result from injection of CO 2 and will be used for: (1) tracking the spatial extent of the free phase CO 2 plume, (2) monitoring advancement of the pressure front, (3) identifying or mapping areas where induced seismicity occurs, and (4) identifying and mapping regions of increased risk for brine or CO 2 leakage from the reservoir. Site-specific suitability and cost effectiveness were evaluated formore » a number of geophysical monitoring methods including: passive seismic monitoring, reflection seismic imaging, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, pulsed neutron capture logging, cross-borehole seismic, electrical resistivity tomography, magnetotellurics and controlled source electromagnetics. The results of this evaluation indicate that CO 2 injection monitoring using reflection seismic methods would likely be difficult at the FutureGen 2.0 site. Electrical methods also exhibited low sensitivity to the expected CO 2 saturation changes and would be affected by metallic infrastructure at the field site. Passive seismic, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, and pulsed neutron capture monitoring were selected for implementation as part of the FutureGen 2.0 storage site monitoring program.« less

75 FR 5780 - Green Borders Geothermal, LLC, Complainant, v. Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC, Respondent; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-04

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL10-36-000] Green Borders Geothermal, LLC, Complainant, v. Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC, Respondent; Notice of Complaint January 28, 2010. Take notice that on January 25, 2010, Green Borders Geothermal, LLC (Green Borders) filed a formal complaint against Terra-Gen Dixie Valle...

Description of two smallest field crickets from South America, Laureopsis nauta Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. and Perugryllus estiron Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Gryllidae, Gryllinae).

PubMed

Jaiswara, Ranjana; Desutter-Grandcolas, Laure

2017-11-20

Gryllinae are one of the most diverse and widely distributed cricket groups. However, in South America they are known only from 10 genera. We update this list by describing two new genera and species of field crickets i.e. Laureopsis nauta Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. and Perugryllus estiron Jaiswara gen. nov., sp. nov. from Peru.

The GenDev Curriculum Development Workshop.

PubMed

D'cunha, J

1997-01-01

This article describes the second Curriculum Development Workshop held in May 1997 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop aimed to review critically and restructure the Gender and Development Studies (GenDev) curriculum and to assess AIT's role in training gender experts for the region. Participants included 22 people from 16 countries in Asia, Europe, and the US who were teaching graduate students about gender issues and who were activists with nongovernmental organizations working on gender issues. It was determined that the following were required courses: Culture, Knowledge and Gender Relations; Gender, Technology, and Development; Principles of Gender Research and Methodology in Science and Technology; and Gender Analysis and Field Methods. Other suggested core courses included: Gender and Natural Resource Management; Enterprise Management, Technology, and Gender; Gender and Agrarian Reform; Urbanization: A Gender Perspective; Gender-Responsive Development Planning; and Gender and Economic Change: Past and Present Concerns. Participants distinguished between GenDev courses offered to anyone attending AIT and training courses designed to produce gender experts in the region. The aim of training courses for AIT graduate students was to sensitize potential managers, technologists, and others on gender issues and to create awareness of the importance of including gender perspectives within decision-making, policy formation, and implementation. Training courses to produce gender experts should be directed to those with a prior background in gender studies and include gender analysis in field methods. Participants agreed that there should be an independent and autonomous field of gender and development studies. Participants made six recommendations for such a field of study.

Supplementation of OmniGen-AF alters the metabolic response to a glucose tolerance test in beef heifers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study was designed to determine whether feeding OmniGen-AF to feedlot heifers would alter metabolic profiles in response to a glucose tolerance test. Heifer calves (n=184; 216±1 kg) were allocated into 2 treatment diets: 1) Control, fed a standard receiving ration, and 2) OmniGen-AF (OG), fed t...

Evaluation of Mixed-Mode Data-Link Communications for NextGen 4DT and Equivalent Visual Surface Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Shelton, Kevin J.; Jones, Denise R.; Allamandola, Angela S.; Arthur, Jarvis, J., III; Bailey, Randall E.

2010-01-01

By 2025, U.S. air traffic is predicted to increase 3-fold and may strain the current air traffic management system, which may not be able to accommodate this growth. In response to this challenge, a revolutionary new concept has been proposed for U.S. aviation operations, termed the Next Generation Air Transportation System or NextGen. Many key capabilities are being identified to enable NextGen, including the use of data-link communications. Because NextGen represents a radically different approach to air traffic management and requires a dramatic shift in the tasks, roles, and responsibilities for the flight deck, there are numerous research issues and challenges that must be overcome to ensure a safe, sustainable air transportation system. Flight deck display and crew-vehicle interaction concepts are being developed that proactively investigate and overcome potential technology and safety barriers that might otherwise constrain the full realization of NextGen. The paper describes simulation research examining data-link communications during 4DT and equivalent visual surface operations.

77 FR 2342 - Fifth Meeting: RTCA, Next Gen Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-17

... University, Florida NextGen Test Bed, 557 Innovation Way, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION... Capabilities to Identified Metroplexes--a recommendation derived from a mapping of integrated capabilities to... specific capabilities. Lunch Break Review and Approve Recommendations for Submission to FAA DataComm...

NextGen flight deck data comm: auxiliary synthetic speech - phase I

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-10-22

Data Comma digital, text-based controller-pilot communication systemis critical to many NextGen improvements. With Data Comm, communication becomes a visual task. Although Data Comm brings many advantages, interacting with a visual display may ...

Chemopreventive activity of GEN-27, a genistein derivative, in colitis-associated cancer is mediated by p65-CDX2-β-catenin axis

PubMed Central

Wang, Hong; Fan, Huimin; Li, Yan; Wang, Jianing; Zhang, Xu; Lu, Jinrong; Ji, Hui; Hu, Rong

2016-01-01

Nonresolving inflammation in the intestine predisposes individuals to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), which leads to high morbidity and mortality. Here we show that genistein-27 (GEN-27), a derivative of genistein, inhibited proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells through inhibiting β-catenin activity. Our results showed that GEN-27 increased expressions of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2), and reduced β-catenin nuclear localization, which resulted from the inhibition of NF-κB/p65 nuclear localization and up-regulation of caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2). Furthermore, GEN-27 decreased binding of p65 to the silencer region of CDX2 and increased binding of CDX2 to the promoter regions of APC and AXIN2, thus inhibiting the activation of β-catenin induced by TNF-α. Importantly, GEN-27 protected mice from azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colon carcinogenesis, with reduced mortality, tumor number and tumor volume. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry revealed that dietary GEN-27 significantly decreased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration. Moreover, GEN-27 inhibited AOM/DSS-induced p65 and β-catenin nuclear translocation, while promoted the expression of CDX2, APC, and AXIN2. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the anti-proliferation effect of GEN-27 in vitro and the prevention of CAC in vivo is mediated by p65-CDX2-β-catenin axis via inhibiting β-catenin target genes. Our results imply that GEN-27 could be a promising candidate for the chemoprevention of CAC. PMID:26910375

Tools for Designing, Evaluating, and Certifying NextGen Technologies and Procedures: Automation Roles and Responsibilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanki, Barbara G.

2011-01-01

Barbara Kanki from NASA Ames Research Center will discuss research that focuses on the collaborations between pilots, air traffic controllers and dispatchers that will change in NextGen systems as automation increases and roles and responsibilities change. The approach taken by this NASA Ames team is to build a collaborative systems assessment template (CSAT) based on detailed task descriptions within each system to establish a baseline of the current operations. The collaborative content and context are delineated through the review of regulatory and advisory materials, policies, procedures and documented practices as augmented by field observations and interviews. The CSAT is developed to aid the assessment of key human factors and performance tradeoffs that result from considering different collaborative arrangements under NextGen system changes. In theory, the CSAT product may be applied to any NextGen application (such as Trajectory Based Operations) with specified ground and aircraft capabilities.

Non contiguous-finished genome sequence and description of Senegalemassilia anaerobia gen. nov., sp. nov.

PubMed Central

Lagier, Jean-Christophe; Elkarkouri, Khalid; Rivet, Romain; Couderc, Carine; Raoult, Didier; Fournier, Pierre-Edouard

2013-01-01

Senegalemassilia anaerobia strain JC110T sp.nov. is the type strain of Senegalemassilia anaerobia gen. nov., sp. nov., the type species of a new genus within the Coriobacteriaceae family, Senegalemassilia gen. nov. This strain, whose genome is described here, was isolated from the fecal flora of a healthy Senegalese patient. S. anaerobia is a Gram-positive anaerobic coccobacillus. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 2,383,131 bp long genome contains 1,932 protein-coding and 58 RNA genes. PMID:24019984

An evaluation of the accuracy of the ORange (Gen II) by comparing it to the IOLMaster in the prediction of postoperative refraction.

PubMed

Chen, Ming

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ORange(®) Gen II (WaveTec Vision, Aliso Viejo, CA). The Surgical Suites, Honolulu, HI. The prospective 28 consecutive cataract surgical cases were selected from 85 cataract surgical cases between December 16, 2010 and February 24, 2011. With the same intraocular lens implantation, the predicted spherical equivalent refraction from IOLMaster(®) (Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, Germany) and ORange Gen II were statistically compared and verified with 1-month postoperative manifest refraction. The data were put into IBM SPSS 19 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) for analysis of variance. Pearson's correlation coefficient was also calculated to evaluate the correlation between the IOLMaster, ORange Gen II, and 1-month postoperative manifest refraction. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean spherical equivalent refraction from the IOLMaster, ORange Gen II, and 1-month postoperative manifest refraction (IOLMaster -0.40 diopters, P = 0.07; ORange Gen II -0.43 diopters, P = 0.16; 1-month refraction -0.41 diopters, P = 0.07). Pearson's correlation study demonstrated that all three were positively correlated (P < 0.05), with the strongest correlation between the ORange Gen II and 1-month postoperative manifest refraction (r = +0.6, P < 0.01). The ORange Gen II can be considered as an alternative method for intraocular lens selection for cataract patients.

Coal-Gen attendees hear there's no magic bullet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

2007-09-15

Those attending COAL-GEN 2007 in August heard that there is no magic bullet for meeting the energy and infrastructure needs facing the USA. The article reports on the conference which addressed topics including development of supercritical circulating fluidized bed coal unit; IGCC projects, the importance of including carbon capture and sequestration, and the need to attract and train personnel to work in the power industry. 3 photos.

Design Experimentation with Multiple Perspectives: The GenScope Assessment Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hickey, Daniel T.; Kruger, Ann Cale; Frederick, Laura D.; Schafer, Nancy Jo; Zuiker, Steven

The GenScope Assessment Project is studying assessment in the context of a month-long computer-supported learning environment for introductory genetics. Across three annual iterations with multiple teachers, project researchers manipulated the materials, incentives, and contexts in which students were invited to use formative feedback on…

NextGen Flight Deck Data Comm : Auxiliary Synthetic Speech Phase II

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-07-01

Data Comma text-based controller-pilot communication systemis expected to yield several NextGen safety and efficiency benefits. With Data Comm, communication becomes a visual task, and may potentially increase head-down time on the flight deck ...

pGenN, a Gene Normalization Tool for Plant Genes and Proteins in Scientific Literature

PubMed Central

Ding, Ruoyao; Arighi, Cecilia N.; Lee, Jung-Youn; Wu, Cathy H.; Vijay-Shanker, K.

2015-01-01

Background Automatically detecting gene/protein names in the literature and connecting them to databases records, also known as gene normalization, provides a means to structure the information buried in free-text literature. Gene normalization is critical for improving the coverage of annotation in the databases, and is an essential component of many text mining systems and database curation pipelines. Methods In this manuscript, we describe a gene normalization system specifically tailored for plant species, called pGenN (pivot-based Gene Normalization). The system consists of three steps: dictionary-based gene mention detection, species assignment, and intra species normalization. We have developed new heuristics to improve each of these phases. Results We evaluated the performance of pGenN on an in-house expertly annotated corpus consisting of 104 plant relevant abstracts. Our system achieved an F-value of 88.9% (Precision 90.9% and Recall 87.2%) on this corpus, outperforming state-of-art systems presented in BioCreative III. We have processed over 440,000 plant-related Medline abstracts using pGenN. The gene normalization results are stored in a local database for direct query from the pGenN web interface (proteininformationresource.org/pgenn/). The annotated literature corpus is also publicly available through the PIR text mining portal (proteininformationresource.org/iprolink/). PMID:26258475

Effect of application timing on efficacy of site preparation treatments using Chopper® GEN2™

Treesearch

A.W. Ezell; J.L. Yeiser; D.K. Lauer; H.E. Quicke

2013-01-01

Chopper® GEN2™ is a new imazapyr product for use in forestry site preparation. A single treatment (32 ounces of Chopper® GEN2™ per acre) was applied at three timings on three sites (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia) to test the effect of application timing on treatment efficacy. Hardwood control was excellent for all applications. Pine growth varied by site, but...

Genetic variation in the folate metabolic pathway and risk of childhood leukemia

PubMed Central

Johnston, W. Thomas; Painter, Dan; Simpson, Jill; Roman, Eve; Skibola, Chris F.; Smith, Martyn T.; Allan, James M.; Taylor, G. Malcolm

2010-01-01

Studies of childhood leukemia and the potential etiologic role of genetic variation in folate metabolism have produced conflicting findings and have often been based on small numbers. We investigated the association between polymorphisms in key folate metabolism enzymes (MTHFR 677 C>T, MTHFR 1298 A>C, SHMT1 1420 C>T, MTR 2756 A>G, TS 1494del6, and TS 28bp repeat) in 939 cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 89 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) recruited into the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study. We also examined the maternal genotypes of 752 of these cases. Data from 824 noncancer controls recruited were used for comparison. No evidence of an association with MTHFR 677 was observed for ALL or AML, either in children or their mothers. However, in children an increased risk of ALL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-3.07; P = .010) and AML (OR = 2.74; 95% CI, 1.07-7.01; P = .036) was observed with the MTR 2756 GG genotype; the association was most pronounced for cases with the MLL translocation (OR = 4.90; 95% CI, 1.30-18.45; P = .019). These data suggest that genetic variation in methionine synthase could mediate risk of childhood leukemia, either via effects on DNA methylation or via effects on fetal growth and development. PMID:20101025

Enhanced and Synthetic Vision for Terminal Maneuvering Area NextGen Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kramer, Lynda J.; Bailey, Randall E.; Ellis, Kyle K. E.; Norman, R. Michael; Williams, Steven P.; Arthur, Jarvis J., III; Shelton, Kevin J.; Prinzel, Lawrence J., III

2011-01-01

Synthetic Vision Systems and Enhanced Flight Vision System (SVS/EFVS) technologies have the potential to provide additional margins of safety for aircrew performance and enable operational improvements for low visibility operations in the terminal area environment with equivalent efficiency as visual operations. To meet this potential, research is needed for effective technology development and implementation of regulatory and design guidance to support introduction and use of SVS/EFVS advanced cockpit vision technologies in Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) operations. A fixed-base pilot-in-the-loop simulation test was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center that evaluated the use of SVS/EFVS in NextGen low visibility ground (taxi) operations and approach/landing operations. Twelve crews flew approach and landing operations in a simulated NextGen Chicago O Hare environment. Various scenarios tested the potential for EFVS for operations in visibility as low as 1000 ft runway visibility range (RVR) and SVS to enable lower decision heights (DH) than can currently be flown today. Expanding the EFVS visual segment from DH to the runway in visibilities as low as 1000 RVR appears to be viable as touchdown performance was excellent without any workload penalties noted for the EFVS concept tested. A lower DH to 150 ft and/or possibly reduced visibility minima by virtue of SVS equipage appears to be viable when implemented on a Head-Up Display, but the landing data suggests further study for head-down implementations.

NextGen flight deck Data Comm : auxiliary synthetic speech phase I

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-12-31

Data Comma text-based controller-pilot communication systemis critical to many NextGen improvements. With Data Comm, communication becomes a visual task. Interacting with a visual Data Comm display may yield an unsafe increase in head-down time...

Batwanema gen. n. and Chokwenema gen. n. (Oxyurida, Hystrignathidae), new nematode genera as parasites of Passalidae (Coleoptera) from the Democratic Republic of Congo

PubMed Central

Morffe, Jans; García, Nayla

2013-01-01

Abstract Two new genera and species parasitizing passalid beetles from the Democratic Republic of Congo are described. Batwanema congo gen. n. et sp. n. is characterized by having females with the cervical cuticle armed with scale-like projections, arranged initially in rows of eight elements that gradually divide and form pointed spines toward the end of the spiny region, two cephalic annuli, clavate procorpus and genital tract monodelphic-prodelphic. Two Malagasian species of Artigasia Christie, 1934 were placed in this genus as B. latum (Van Waerebeke, 1973) comb. n. and B. annulatum (Van Waerebeke, 1973) comb. n. Chokwenema lepidophorum gen. n. et sp. n. is characterized by having females with the cervical cuticle armed with scale-like projections, arranged initially in rows of eight elements (similar to Batwanema) that divide gradually, forming spines; a single cephalic annule cone-like, truncated, moderately inflated; procorpus sub-cylindrical and genital tract didelphic-amphidelphic. PMID:24363593

Considerations of Alloy 617 Application in the Gen IV Nuclear Reactor Systems - Part II: Metallurgical Property Challenges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Weiju

2010-01-01

Alloy 617 is currently considered as a leading candidate material for high temperature components in the Gen IV Nuclear Reactor Systems. Because of the unprecedented severe working conditions beyond its commercial service experience required by the Gen IV systems, the alloy faces various challenges in both mechanical and metallurgical properties. Following a previous paper discussing the mechanical property challenges, this paper is focused on the challenges and issues in metallurgical properties of the alloy for the intended nuclear application. Considerations are given in details about its metallurgical stability and aging evolution, aging effects on mechanical properties, potential Co hazard, andmore » internal oxidation. Some research and development activities are suggested with discussions on viability to satisfy the Gen IV Nuclear Reactor System needs.« less

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of Bio-Gen with biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of class II furcation defects: a randomized clinical trial

PubMed Central

JENABIAN, Niloofar; HAGHANIFAR, Sina; MABOUDI, Avideh; BIJANI, Ali

2013-01-01

Objective Treatment of furcation defects are thought to be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic parameters of Bio-Gen with Biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of Class II furcation defects. Material and Methods In this clinical trial, 24 patients with Class II furcation defect on a buccal or lingual mandibular molar were recruited. After oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing and achievement of acceptable plaque control, the patients were randomly chosen to receive either connective tissue and Bio-Gen (case group) or Biocollagen and Bio-Gen (control group). The following parameters were recorded before the first and re-entry surgery (six months later): vertical clinical attachment level (VCAL), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), horizontal probing depth (HPD), vertical probing depth (VPD), gingival recession (GR), furcation vertical component (FVC), furcation to alveolar crest (FAC), fornix to base of defect (FBD), and furcation horizontal component (FHC) were calculated at the time of first surgery and during re-entry. A digital periapical radiograph was taken in parallel before first surgery and re-entry. The radiographs were then analyzed by digital subtraction. The differences with p value <0.05 were considered significant. Results Only the mean changes of FAC, FHC, mean of FHC, FBD in re-entry revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups. HPD, VPD, FBD, FAC, and FHC showed statistically significant differences after 6 months in the case group. However, in the control group, statistically significant differences were found in GR and HPD. We did not observe any significant difference in radiographic changes among the two groups. Conclusion The results of this trial indicate that better clinical outcomes can be obtained with connective tissue grafts in combination with bone material compared with a resorbable barrier with bone material

MicroGen: a MIAME compliant web system for microarray experiment information and workflow management.

PubMed

Burgarella, Sarah; Cattaneo, Dario; Pinciroli, Francesco; Masseroli, Marco

2005-12-01

Improvements of bio-nano-technologies and biomolecular techniques have led to increasing production of high-throughput experimental data. Spotted cDNA microarray is one of the most diffuse technologies, used in single research laboratories and in biotechnology service facilities. Although they are routinely performed, spotted microarray experiments are complex procedures entailing several experimental steps and actors with different technical skills and roles. During an experiment, involved actors, who can also be located in a distance, need to access and share specific experiment information according to their roles. Furthermore, complete information describing all experimental steps must be orderly collected to allow subsequent correct interpretation of experimental results. We developed MicroGen, a web system for managing information and workflow in the production pipeline of spotted microarray experiments. It is constituted of a core multi-database system able to store all data completely characterizing different spotted microarray experiments according to the Minimum Information About Microarray Experiments (MIAME) standard, and of an intuitive and user-friendly web interface able to support the collaborative work required among multidisciplinary actors and roles involved in spotted microarray experiment production. MicroGen supports six types of user roles: the researcher who designs and requests the experiment, the spotting operator, the hybridisation operator, the image processing operator, the system administrator, and the generic public user who can access the unrestricted part of the system to get information about MicroGen services. MicroGen represents a MIAME compliant information system that enables managing workflow and supporting collaborative work in spotted microarray experiment production.

Surface Map Traffic Intent Displays and Net-Centric Data-link Communications for NextGen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelton, Kevin J.; Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Jones, Denise R.; Allamandola, Angela S.; Arthur, Jarvis J., III; Bailey, Randall E.

2009-01-01

By 2025, U.S. air traffic is predicted to increase three fold and may strain the current air traffic management system, which may not be able to accommodate this growth. In response to this challenge, a revolutionary new concept has been proposed for U.S. aviation operations, termed the Next Generation Air Transportation System or "NextGen". Many key capabilities are being identified to enable NextGen, including the use of data-link communications. Because NextGen represents a radically different approach to air traffic management and requires a dramatic shift in the tasks, roles, and responsibilities for the flight deck, there are numerous research issues and challenges that must be overcome to ensure a safe, sustainable air transportation system. Flight deck display and crew-vehicle interaction concepts are being developed that proactively investigate and overcome potential technology and safety barriers that might otherwise constrain the full realization of NextGen. The paper describes simulation research, conducted at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center, examining data-link communications and traffic intent data during envisioned four-dimensional trajectory (4DT)-based and equivalent visual (EV) surface operations. Overall, the results suggest that controller pilot data-link communications (CPDLC) with the use of mandatory pilot read-back of all clearances significantly enhanced situation awareness for 4DT and EV surface operations. The depiction of graphical traffic state and intent information on the surface map display further enhanced off-nominal detection and pilot qualitative reports of safety and awareness.

Indirubin, a component of Ban-Lan-Gen, activates CYP3A4 gene transcription through the human pregnane X receptor.

PubMed

Kumagai, Takeshi; Aratsu, Yusuke; Sugawara, Ryosuke; Sasaki, Takamitsu; Miyairi, Shinichi; Nagata, Kiyoshi

2016-04-01

Ban-Lan-Gen is the common name for the dried roots of indigo plants, including Polygonum tinctorium, Isatis indigotica, Isatis tinctoria, and Strobilanthes cusia. Ban-Lan-Gen is frequently used as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-viral for the treatment of hepatitis, influenza, and various types of inflammation. One of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, CYP3A4, is responsible for the metabolism of a wide variety of xenobiotics, including an estimated 60% of all clinically used drugs. In this study, we investigated the effect of Ban-Lan-Gen on the transcriptional activation of the CYP3A4 gene. Ban-Lan-Gen extract increased CYP3A4 gene reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner. Indirubin, one of the biologically active ingredients in the Ban-Lan-Gen, also dose-dependently increased CYP3A4 gene reporter activity. Expression of short hairpin RNA for the human pregnane X receptor (hPXR-shRNA) inhibited CYP3A4 gene reporter activity, and overexpression of human PXR increased indirubin- and rifampicin-induced CYP3A4 gene reporter activity. Furthermore, indirubin induced CYP3A4 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that indirubin, a component of Ban-Lan-Gen, activated CYP3A4 gene transcription through the activation of the human PXR. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

NPDES Permit for NRG Energy (Formerly GenOn Potomac River Generating Station)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit number DC0022004, NRG Energy (Formerly GenOn Potomac River Generating Station) is authorized to discharge from a facility into receiving waters named Potomac River.

Folate restriction and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677T polymorphism decreases adoMet synthesis via folate-dependent remethylation in human-transformed lymphoblasts.

PubMed

Chiang, E-P; Wang, Y-C; Tang, F-Y

2007-04-01

The homozygous mutation (677TT) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene reduces enzyme activity and alters cellular folate composition. Previous epidemiological studies reported a potential protective effect of MTHFR677C --> T against acute lymphocytic leukemia and malignant lymphoma, but the mechanism remains to be determined. We investigated the biochemical impacts of MTHFR677C --> T on cellular S-adenosyl methionine (adoMet) synthesis, global DNA methylation, and de novo purine synthesis, all of which are potential regulatory pathways involved in tumorigenesis. Metabolic fluxes of homocysteine remethylation and de novo purine synthesis were compared between Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblasts expressing MTHFR 677C and MTHFR 677T using stable isotopic tracers and GCMS. MTHFR TT genotype significantly reduced folate-dependent remethylation under folate restriction, reflecting limited methylated folates under folate restriction. Data also suggested increased formylated folate pool and increased purine synthesis when folate is adequate. The impacts of MTHFR 677T polymorphism appeared closely related to folate status, and such alterations may modulate metabolic pathways involved in cancer onset/progression. The advantage of de novo purine synthesis found in the MTHFR TT genotype may account for the protective effect of MTHFR in hematological malignancies. These transformed cells are potential models for studying the consequences of human genetic variation and cancer pathogenesis.

genRE: A Method to Extend Gridded Precipitation Climatology Data Sets in Near Real-Time for Hydrological Forecasting Purposes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Osnabrugge, B.; Weerts, A. H.; Uijlenhoet, R.

2017-11-01

To enable operational flood forecasting and drought monitoring, reliable and consistent methods for precipitation interpolation are needed. Such methods need to deal with the deficiencies of sparse operational real-time data compared to quality-controlled offline data sources used in historical analyses. In particular, often only a fraction of the measurement network reports in near real-time. For this purpose, we present an interpolation method, generalized REGNIE (genRE), which makes use of climatological monthly background grids derived from existing gridded precipitation climatology data sets. We show how genRE can be used to mimic and extend climatological precipitation data sets in near real-time using (sparse) real-time measurement networks in the Rhine basin upstream of the Netherlands (approximately 160,000 km2). In the process, we create a 1.2 × 1.2 km transnational gridded hourly precipitation data set for the Rhine basin. Precipitation gauge data are collected, spatially interpolated for the period 1996-2015 with genRE and inverse-distance squared weighting (IDW), and then evaluated on the yearly and daily time scale against the HYRAS and EOBS climatological data sets. Hourly fields are compared qualitatively with RADOLAN radar-based precipitation estimates. Two sources of uncertainty are evaluated: station density and the impact of different background grids (HYRAS versus EOBS). The results show that the genRE method successfully mimics climatological precipitation data sets (HYRAS/EOBS) over daily, monthly, and yearly time frames. We conclude that genRE is a good interpolation method of choice for real-time operational use. genRE has the largest added value over IDW for cases with a low real-time station density and a high-resolution background grid.

BioNetFit: a fitting tool compatible with BioNetGen, NFsim and distributed computing environments

DOE PAGES

Thomas, Brandon R.; Chylek, Lily A.; Colvin, Joshua; ...

2015-11-09

Rule-based models are analyzed with specialized simulators, such as those provided by the BioNetGen and NFsim open-source software packages. Here in this paper, we present BioNetFit, a general-purpose fitting tool that is compatible with BioNetGen and NFsim. BioNetFit is designed to take advantage of distributed computing resources. This feature facilitates fitting (i.e. optimization of parameter values for consistency with data) when simulations are computationally expensive.

The Generic Spacecraft Analyst Assistant (GenSAA): A tool for automating spacecraft monitoring with expert systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Peter M.; Luczak, Edward C.

1991-01-01

Flight Operations Analysts (FOAs) in the Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) are responsible for monitoring a satellite's health and safety. As satellites become more complex and data rates increase, FOAs are quickly approaching a level of information saturation. The FOAs in the spacecraft control center for the COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer) satellite are currently using a fault isolation expert system named the Communications Link Expert Assistance Resource (CLEAR), to assist in isolating and correcting communications link faults. Due to the success of CLEAR and several other systems in the control center domain, many other monitoring and fault isolation expert systems will likely be developed to support control center operations during the early 1990s. To facilitate the development of these systems, a project was initiated to develop a domain specific tool, named the Generic Spacecraft Analyst Assistant (GenSAA). GenSAA will enable spacecraft analysts to easily build simple real-time expert systems that perform spacecraft monitoring and fault isolation functions. Lessons learned during the development of several expert systems at Goddard, thereby establishing the foundation of GenSAA's objectives and offering insights in how problems may be avoided in future project, are described. This is followed by a description of the capabilities, architecture, and usage of GenSAA along with a discussion of its application to future NASA missions.

78 FR 28940 - Ninth Meeting: RTCA Next Gen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-16

.... Huerta FAA NextGen Performance SnapShots Featured PBN Implementation Location Data Sources for Measuring... by the Business Case and Performance Metrics Work Group Recommendation for Implementing Categorical Exclusion Contained in FAA Modernization Act of 2012 Recommendation developed by CatEx2 Task Group for...

A New Parent Generation: Meet Mr. and Mrs. Gen X

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howe, Neil

2010-01-01

Slowly but surely, Generation Xers have been taking over from Baby Boomers as the majority of parents in elementary and secondary education. Gen-X parents and Boomer parents belong to two neighboring generations, each possessing its own location in history and its own peer personality. They are similar in some respects, but clearly different in…

The Plant Genome Integrative Explorer Resource: PlantGenIE.org.

PubMed

Sundell, David; Mannapperuma, Chanaka; Netotea, Sergiu; Delhomme, Nicolas; Lin, Yao-Cheng; Sjödin, Andreas; Van de Peer, Yves; Jansson, Stefan; Hvidsten, Torgeir R; Street, Nathaniel R

2015-12-01

Accessing and exploring large-scale genomics data sets remains a significant challenge to researchers without specialist bioinformatics training. We present the integrated PlantGenIE.org platform for exploration of Populus, conifer and Arabidopsis genomics data, which includes expression networks and associated visualization tools. Standard features of a model organism database are provided, including genome browsers, gene list annotation, Blast homology searches and gene information pages. Community annotation updating is supported via integration of WebApollo. We have produced an RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) expression atlas for Populus tremula and have integrated these data within the expression tools. An updated version of the ComPlEx resource for performing comparative plant expression analyses of gene coexpression network conservation between species has also been integrated. The PlantGenIE.org platform provides intuitive access to large-scale and genome-wide genomics data from model forest tree species, facilitating both community contributions to annotation improvement and tools supporting use of the included data resources to inform biological insight. © 2015 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2015 New Phytologist Trust.

GenPlay Multi-Genome, a tool to compare and analyze multiple human genomes in a graphical interface.

PubMed

Lajugie, Julien; Fourel, Nicolas; Bouhassira, Eric E

2015-01-01

Parallel visualization of multiple individual human genomes is a complex endeavor that is rapidly gaining importance with the increasing number of personal, phased and cancer genomes that are being generated. It requires the display of variants such as SNPs, indels and structural variants that are unique to specific genomes and the introduction of multiple overlapping gaps in the reference sequence. Here, we describe GenPlay Multi-Genome, an application specifically written to visualize and analyze multiple human genomes in parallel. GenPlay Multi-Genome is ideally suited for the comparison of allele-specific expression and functional genomic data obtained from multiple phased genomes in a graphical interface with access to multiple-track operation. It also allows the analysis of data that have been aligned to custom genomes rather than to a standard reference and can be used as a variant calling format file browser and as a tool to compare different genome assembly, such as hg19 and hg38. GenPlay is available under the GNU public license (GPL-3) from http://genplay.einstein.yu.edu. The source code is available at https://github.com/JulienLajugie/GenPlay. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

78 FR 5860 - Eighth Meeting: RTCA Next Gen Advisory Committee (NAC)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-28

...] Preliminary report to identify and mitigate barriers to implementing PBN. Issues associated with Implementing RNAV/RNP [cir] An open discussion by the Committee of Non-technical barriers of PBN procedures... NextGen. Cat Ex 2 Task Group [cir] Preliminary report on the recommendation for implementing new...

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Gen X: A New Parent Generation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howe, Neil

2010-01-01

Slowly but surely, Generation Xers have been taking over from Baby Boomers as the majority of parents in elementary and secondary education. In the early 1990s, Gen Xers began joining parent-teacher associations in the nation's elementary schools. Around 2005, they became the majority of middle school parents. By the fall of 2008, they took over…

Paragnomoxyala gen. nov. (Xyalidae, Monhysterida, Nematoda) from the East China Sea.

PubMed

Jiang, Weijun; Huang, Yong

2015-11-05

A new genus, Paragnomoxyala gen. nov., and a new species, Paragnomoxyala breviseta sp. nov. are described from the East China Sea. Paragnomoxyala gen. nov. is characterized by having large funnel-shaped buccal cavity with cuticularized walls and extended anteriorly; lips very high; striated cuticle; four cephalic setae, absence of outer labial setae; circular amphidial fovea; straight spicules and absence of gubernaculum; tail conico-cylindrical with three terminal setae; female monodelphic with an anterior outstretched ovary. It differs from similar genera by having a large buccal cavity unique in Xyalidae, straight spicules, lacking gubernaculum, and conico-cylindrical tail with terminal setae. Paragnomoxyala breviseta sp. nov. is characterized by having a large funnel-shaped buccal cavity, with cuticularized walls and extended anteriorly, 1.6-1.8 hd long and 63-79% cbd wide; four cephalic setae 3-4 µm long; circular amphids 6-9 µm in diameter; spicules straight but slightly bent at both ends; absence of gubernaculum and precloacal supplement.

Wilsonosiphonia gen. nov. (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) based on molecular and morpho-anatomical characters.

PubMed

Bustamante, Danilo E; Won, Boo Yeon; Miller, Kathy Ann; Cho, Tae Oh

2017-04-01

Morphological, anatomical, and molecular sequence data were used to assess the establishment and phylogenetic position of the genus Wilsonosiphonia gen. nov. Phylogenies based on rbcL and concatenated rbcL and cox1 loci support recognition of Wilsonosiphonia gen. nov., sister to Herposiphonia. Diagnostic features for Wilsonosiphonia are rhizoids located at distal ends of pericentral cells and taproot-shaped multicellular tips of rhizoids. Wilsonosiphonia includes three species with diagnostic rbcL and cox1 sequences, Wilsonosiphonia fujiae sp. nov. (the generitype), W. howei comb. nov., and W. indica sp. nov. These three species resemble each other in external morphology, but W. fujiae is distinguished by having two tetrasporangia per segment rather than one, W. indica by having abundant and persistent trichoblasts, and W. howei by having few and deciduous trichoblasts. © 2017 Phycological Society of America.

FY13 Annual Report: PHEV Advanced Series Gen-set Development/Demonstration Activity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chambon, Paul H.

2013-12-01

The objective of this project is to integrate ORNL advancements in vehicle technologies to properly design, and size a gen-set for various vehicle applications and then simulate multiple advanced series hybrid (HEV/PHEV) vehicles with the genset models.

75 FR 1052 - Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC; TGP Dixie Development Company, LLC; New York Canyon, LLC; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-08

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL10-29-000] Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC; TGP Dixie Development Company, LLC; New York Canyon, LLC; Notice of Filing December 30, 2009. Take notice that on December 24, 2009, Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC, TGP Dixie Development Company, LLC and New York Canyon, LLC (``Petitioner...

Overview of NASA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swenson, Harry N.

2009-01-01

This slide presentation is an overview of the research for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Included is a review of the current air transportation system and the challenges of air transportation research. Also included is a review of the current research highlights and significant accomplishments.

Titanogryllus n. gen., the largest Gryllinae cricket from the Neotropical Region with three new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Gryllidae).

PubMed

Jaiswara, Ranjana; Souza-Dias, Pedro G B; De Campos, Lucas Denadai; RedÜ, Darlan R; De Mello, Francisco de A G; Desutter-Grandcolas, Laure

2018-03-29

Titanogryllus, a new genus and three new species T. salgado n. gen. n. sp., T. oxossi n. gen. n. sp., and T. oxente n. gen. n. sp. from subfamily Gryllinae (Grylloidea, Gryllidae) are described from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This genus is characterized by its very large size, and establishes a new record for the largest known cricket from Neotropical Region. The new taxa are characterized by their external morphology and male and female genitalia.

Generalized Background Error covariance matrix model (GEN_BE v2.0)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Descombes, G.; Auligné, T.; Vandenberghe, F.; Barker, D. M.

2014-07-01

The specification of state background error statistics is a key component of data assimilation since it affects the impact observations will have on the analysis. In the variational data assimilation approach, applied in geophysical sciences, the dimensions of the background error covariance matrix (B) are usually too large to be explicitly determined and B needs to be modeled. Recent efforts to include new variables in the analysis such as cloud parameters and chemical species have required the development of the code to GENerate the Background Errors (GEN_BE) version 2.0 for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) community model to allow for a simpler, flexible, robust, and community-oriented framework that gathers methods used by meteorological operational centers and researchers. We present the advantages of this new design for the data assimilation community by performing benchmarks and showing some of the new features on data assimilation test cases. As data assimilation for clouds remains a challenge, we present a multivariate approach that includes hydrometeors in the control variables and new correlated errors. In addition, the GEN_BE v2.0 code is employed to diagnose error parameter statistics for chemical species, which shows that it is a tool flexible enough to involve new control variables. While the generation of the background errors statistics code has been first developed for atmospheric research, the new version (GEN_BE v2.0) can be easily extended to other domains of science and be chosen as a testbed for diagnostic and new modeling of B. Initially developed for variational data assimilation, the model of the B matrix may be useful for variational ensemble hybrid methods as well.

Considerations of Alloy 617 Application in the Gen IV Nuclear Reactor Systems - Part I: Mechanical Property Challenges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Weiju

2010-01-01

Alloy 617 is currently considered as a leading candidate material for high temperature components in the Gen IV Nuclear Reactor Systems. Because of the unprecedented severe working conditions beyond its commercial service experience required by the Gen IV systems, the alloy faces various challenges in both mechanical and metallurgical properties. This paper, as Part I of the discussion, is focused on the challenges and issues in the mechanical properties of Alloy 617 for the intended nuclear application. Considerations are given in details in its mechanical property data scatter, low creep strength in the desired high temperature range, lack of longtermmore » creep curves, high loading rate dependency, and preponderant tertiary creep. Some research and development activities are suggested with discussions on their viability to satisfy the Gen IV Nuclear Reactor System needs in near future and in the long run.« less

Low dietary choline and low dietary riboflavin during pregnancy influence reproductive outcomes and heart development in mice.

PubMed

Chan, Jessica; Deng, Liyuan; Mikael, Leonie G; Yan, Jian; Pickell, Laura; Wu, Qing; Caudill, Marie A; Rozen, Rima

2010-04-01

Embryonic development may be compromised by dietary and genetic disruptions in folate metabolism because of the critical role of folate in homocysteine metabolism, methylation, and nucleotide synthesis. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), choline, and riboflavin play distinct roles in homocysteine detoxification and generation of one-carbon donors for methylation. The effect of low dietary choline and riboflavin on pregnancy complications and heart development has not been adequately addressed. Our goal was to determine whether dietary deficiencies of choline and riboflavin in pregnant mice, with and without mild MTHFR deficiency, affect embryonic development. Female Mthfr(+/+) and Mthfr(+/-) mice were fed a control diet (CD), a choline-deficient diet (ChDD), or a riboflavin-deficient diet (RbDD) and were then mated with male Mthfr(+/-) mice. Embryos were collected 14.5 d postcoitum and examined for reproductive outcomes and cardiac defects. Plasma homocysteine was higher in ChDD- than in CD-fed females. Liver MTHFR enzyme activity was greater in ChDD-fed Mthfr(+/+) than in CD-fed Mthfr(+/+) females. The RbDD resulted in a higher percentage of delayed embryos and smaller embryos than did the CD. There were more heart defects, which were all ventricular septal defects, in embryos from the ChDD- and RbDD-fed females than from the CD-fed females. Dietary riboflavin and MTHFR deficiency resulted in decreased left ventricular wall thickness in embryonic hearts compared with embryos from CD-fed Mthfr(+/+) females. Low dietary choline and riboflavin affect embryonic growth and cardiac development in mice. Adequate choline and riboflavin may also play a role in the prevention of these pregnancy complications in women.

Fetchamium prolixispinosum gen. et comb. nov. (division Dinoflagellata)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearce, Martin A.; Williams, Graham L.

2018-01-01

Oligosphaeridium is a gonyaulacacean dinocyst lacking cingular processes and possessing a distinctive process centred on the antapical plate indicating a sexiform hyposomal tabulation. However, specimens referable to the description of Oligosphaeridium prolixispinosum Davey and Williams, 1966, although lacking cingular processes, are clearly not sexiform. As an additional complication, the holotype of Oligosphaeridium prolixispinosum possesses cingular processes. In this brief contribution, we describe the new genus Fetchamium to accommodate the new transfer Fetchamium prolixispinosum gen. et comb. nov. and provide a discussion and emended diagnosis of the species.

Plant MetGenMAP: an integrative analysis system for plant systems biology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We have developed a web-based system, Plant MetGenMAP, which can identify significantly altered biochemical pathways and highly affected biological processes, predict functional roles of pathway genes, and potential pathway-related regulatory motifs from transcript and metabolite profile datasets. P...

Developing a Nuclear Grade of Alloy 617 for Gen IV Nuclear Energy Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Weiju; Swindeman, Robert W; Santella, Michael L

2010-01-01

Alloy 617, an attractive material not particularly developed for nuclear use, is now being considered as a leading candidate alloy by several countries for applications in the Gen IV Nuclear Energy Systems. An extensive review of its existing data suggests that it would be beneficial to refine the alloy s specification to a nuclear grade for the intended Gen IV systems. In this paper, rationale for developing a nuclear grade of the alloy is first discussed through an analysis on existing data from various countries. Then initial experiments for refining the alloy specification are described. Preliminary results have suggested themore » feasibility of the refinement approach, as well as the possibility for achieving a desirable nuclear grade. Based on the results, further research activities are recommended.« less

Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of the Cherskii's Sculpin Cottus czerskii and Siberian Taimen Hucho taimen Reveal GenBank Entry Errors: Incorrect Species Identification and Recombinant Mitochondrial Genome.

PubMed

Balakirev, Evgeniy S; Saveliev, Pavel A; Ayala, Francisco J

2017-01-01

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome is sequenced in 2 individuals of the Cherskii's sculpin Cottus czerskii . A surprisingly high level of sequence divergence (10.3%) has been detected between the 2 genomes of C czerskii studied here and the GenBank mt genome of C czerskii (KJ956027). At the same time, a surprisingly low level of divergence (1.4%) has been detected between the GenBank C czerskii (KJ956027) and the Amur sculpin Cottus szanaga (KX762049, KX762050). We argue that the observed discrepancies are due to incorrect taxonomic identification so that the GenBank accession number KJ956027 represents actually the mt genome of C szanaga erroneously identified as C czerskii . Our results are of consequence concerning the GenBank database quality, highlighting the potential negative consequences of entry errors, which once they are introduced tend to be propagated among databases and subsequent publications. We illustrate the premise with the data on recombinant mt genome of the Siberian taimen Hucho taimen (NCBI Reference Sequence Database NC_016426.1; GenBank accession number HQ897271.1), bearing 2 introgressed fragments (≈0.9 kb [kilobase]) from 2 lenok subspecies, Brachymystax lenok and Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis , submitted to GenBank on June 12, 2011. Since the time of submission, the H taimen recombinant mt genome leading to incorrect phylogenetic inferences was propagated in multiple subsequent publications despite the fact that nonrecombinant H taimen genomes were also available (submitted to GenBank on August 2, 2014; KJ711549, KJ711550). Other examples of recombinant sequences persisting in GenBank are also considered. A GenBank Entry Error Depositary is urgently needed to monitor and avoid a progressive accumulation of wrong biological information.

The association of polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing genes with response to adjuvant chemotherapy of colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Yousef, Al-Motassem; Zawiah, Mohammed; Al-Yacoub, Shorouq; Kadi, Taha; Tantawi, Dua' A; Al-Ramadhani, Hanguin

2018-05-29

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major health issues worldwide. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a cornerstone of chemotherapy for CRC and the major targets of 5-FU are folate-metabolizing enzymes. A total of 103 CRC patients with complete clinical data were included in this prospective cohort study. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. Using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazard models, we evaluated associations between functional polymorphisms in four genes MTHFR (1298A>C and 677C>T), DPYD (496A>G and 85T>C), DHFR 19 bp del, and MTR (2756 A>G) with disease-free survival (DFS). The minor allele frequencies of MTHFR 1298A>C, MTHFR 677C>T, DPYD 496A>G, DPYD 85T>C, DHFR 19 bp del, and MTR 2756 A>G were 0.364, 0.214, 0.116, 0.209, 0.383, and 0.097, respectively. CRC patients carrying the homozygous GG genotype in DPYD 496A>G had 4.36 times shorter DFS than wild-type AA carriers, (DFS GG vs AA : 8.0 ± 4 vs 69.0 ± 10 months; HR 4.36, 95% CI 1.04-18; p = 0.04). Moreover, female carriers of homozygous CC genotype of DPYD 85T>C had shorter DFS compared to either heterozygous or wild-type genotypes, and were 12.7 times shorter than wild-type TT carriers (DFS CC vs TT : 5.0 ± 1.5 vs 42.0 ± 7.6 months; HR 12.7, 95% CI 2.2-71.4; p = 0.004). However, there were no significant associations with the other studied polymorphisms. Genetic polymorphism in DPYD seems to be associated with DFS in CRC patients receiving an adjuvant regimen of 5-FU/capecitabine-based chemotherapy. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.

Polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing enzymes and response to 5-fluorouracil among patients with stage II or III rectal cancer (INT-0144; SWOG 9304).

PubMed

Ulrich, Cornelia M; Rankin, Cathryn; Toriola, Adetunji T; Makar, Karen W; Altug-Teber, Özge; Benedetti, Jacqueline K; Holmes, Rebecca S; Smalley, Stephen R; Blanke, Charles D; Lenz, Heinz-Josef

2014-11-01

Recurrence and toxicity occur commonly among patients with rectal cancer who are treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The authors hypothesized that genetic variation in folate-metabolizing genes could play a role in interindividual variability. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the associations between genetic variants in folate-metabolizing genes and clinical outcomes among patients with rectal cancer treated with 5-FU. The authors investigated 8 functionally significant polymorphisms in 6 genes (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] [C677T, A1298C], SLC19A1 [G80A], SHMT1 [C1420T], dihydrofolate reductase [DHFR] [Del19bp], TS 1494del,and TSER) involved in folate metabolism in 745 patients with TNM stage II or III rectal cancer enrolled in a phase 3 adjuvant clinical trial of 3 regimens of 5-FU and radiotherapy (INT-0144 and SWOG 9304). There were no statistically significant associations noted between polymorphisms in any of the genes and overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and toxicity in the overall analyses. Nevertheless, there was a trend toward worse DFS among patients with the variant allele of MTHFR C677T compared with wild-type, particularly in treatment arm 2, in which patients with the MTHFR C677T TT genotype had worse overall survival (hazards ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.93 [P = .03]) and DFS (hazards ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.03 [P = .02]) compared with those with homozygous wild-type. In addition, there was a trend toward reduced hematological toxicity among patients with variants of SLC19A1 G80A in treatment arm 1 (P for trend, .06) and reduced esophagitis/stomatitis noted among patients with variants of TSER in treatment arm 3 (P for trend, .06). Genetic variability in folate-metabolizing enzymes was found to be associated only to a limited degree with clinical outcomes among patients with rectal cancer treated with 5-FU. © 2014 American Cancer Society.

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene are associated with susceptibility to acute leukemia in adults

PubMed Central

Skibola, Christine F.; Smith, Martyn T.; Kane, Eleanor; Roman, Eve; Rollinson, Sara; Cartwright, Raymond A.; Morgan, Gareth

1999-01-01

Reduction of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (methyleneTHF), a donor for methylating dUMP to dTMP in DNA synthesis, to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (methylTHF), the primary methyl donor for methionine synthesis, is catalyzed by 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). A common 677 C → T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene results in thermolability and reduced MTHFR activity that decreases the pool of methylTHF and increases the pool of methyleneTHF. Recently, another polymorphism in MTHFR (1298 A → C) has been identified that also results in diminished enzyme activity. We tested whether carriers of these variant alleles are protected from adult acute leukemia. We analyzed DNA from a case–control study in the United Kingdom of 308 adult acute leukemia patients and 491 age- and sex-matched controls. MTHFR variant alleles were determined by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The MTHFR 677TT genotype was lower among 71 acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cases compared with 114 controls, conferring a 4.3-fold decrease in risk of ALL [odds ratio (OR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.06–0.81]. We observed a 3-fold reduction in risk of ALL in individuals with the MTHFR 1298AC polymorphism (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.15–0.73) and a 14-fold decreased risk of ALL in those with the MTHFR 1298CC variant allele (OR = 0.07; 95% CI = 0.00–1.77). In acute myeloid leukemia, no significant difference in MTHFR 677 and 1298 genotype frequencies was observed between 237 cases and 377 controls. Individuals with the MTHFR 677TT, 1298AC, and 1298CC genotypes have a decreased risk of adult ALL, but not acute myeloid leukemia, which suggests that folate inadequacy may play a key role in the development of ALL. PMID:10536004

The GenTechnique Project: Developing an Open Environment for Learning Molecular Genetics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calza, R. E.; Meade, J. T.

1998-01-01

The GenTechnique project at Washington State University uses a networked learning environment for molecular genetics learning. The project is developing courseware featuring animation, hyper-link controls, and interactive self-assessment exercises focusing on fundamental concepts. The first pilot course featured a Web-based module on DNA…

Working with Gen Y Teachers: Dealing with a Changing Teacher Workforce

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williamson, Ronald; Meyer-Looze, Catherine

2010-01-01

A significant change is coming to American classrooms. As Baby Boomer teachers retire and are replaced by members of Generation Y (born between 1977 and 1995) there is growing evidence that they come from a far different set of experiences, experiences that will shape their lives and their careers (Coggins, 2008). Members of Gen Y share several…

Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of the Cherskii’s Sculpin Cottus czerskii and Siberian Taimen Hucho taimen Reveal GenBank Entry Errors: Incorrect Species Identification and Recombinant Mitochondrial Genome

PubMed Central

Balakirev, Evgeniy S; Saveliev, Pavel A; Ayala, Francisco J

2017-01-01

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome is sequenced in 2 individuals of the Cherskii’s sculpin Cottus czerskii. A surprisingly high level of sequence divergence (10.3%) has been detected between the 2 genomes of C czerskii studied here and the GenBank mt genome of C czerskii (KJ956027). At the same time, a surprisingly low level of divergence (1.4%) has been detected between the GenBank C czerskii (KJ956027) and the Amur sculpin Cottus szanaga (KX762049, KX762050). We argue that the observed discrepancies are due to incorrect taxonomic identification so that the GenBank accession number KJ956027 represents actually the mt genome of C szanaga erroneously identified as C czerskii. Our results are of consequence concerning the GenBank database quality, highlighting the potential negative consequences of entry errors, which once they are introduced tend to be propagated among databases and subsequent publications. We illustrate the premise with the data on recombinant mt genome of the Siberian taimen Hucho taimen (NCBI Reference Sequence Database NC_016426.1; GenBank accession number HQ897271.1), bearing 2 introgressed fragments (≈0.9 kb [kilobase]) from 2 lenok subspecies, Brachymystax lenok and Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, submitted to GenBank on June 12, 2011. Since the time of submission, the H taimen recombinant mt genome leading to incorrect phylogenetic inferences was propagated in multiple subsequent publications despite the fact that nonrecombinant H taimen genomes were also available (submitted to GenBank on August 2, 2014; KJ711549, KJ711550). Other examples of recombinant sequences persisting in GenBank are also considered. A GenBank Entry Error Depositary is urgently needed to monitor and avoid a progressive accumulation of wrong biological information. PMID:28890653

NextGen Future Safety Assessment Game

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ancel, Ersin; Gheorghe, Adian; Jones, Sharon Monica

2010-01-01

The successful implementation of the next generation infrastructure systems requires solid understanding of their technical, social, political and economic aspects along with their interactions. The lack of historical data that relate to the long-term planning of complex systems introduces unique challenges for decision makers and involved stakeholders which in turn result in unsustainable systems. Also, the need to understand the infrastructure at the societal level and capture the interaction between multiple stakeholders becomes important. This paper proposes a methodology in order to develop a holistic approach aiming to provide an alternative subject-matter expert (SME) elicitation and data collection method for future sociotechnical systems. The methodology is adapted to Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) decision making environment in order to demonstrate the benefits of this holistic approach.

NextGen Future Safety Assessment Game

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ancel, Ersin; Gheorghe, Adrian; Jones, Sharon Monica

2011-01-01

The successful implementation of the next generation infrastructure systems requires solid understanding of their technical, social, political and economic aspects along with their interactions. The lack of historical data that relate to the long-term planning of complex systems introduces unique challenges for decision makers and involved stakeholders which in turn result in unsustainable systems. Also, the need to understand the infrastructure at the societal level and capture the interaction between multiple stakeholders becomes important. This paper proposes a methodology in order to develop a holistic approach aiming to provide an alternative subject-matter expert (SME) elicitation and data collection method for future sociotechnical systems. The methodology is adapted to Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) decision making environment in order to demonstrate the benefits of this holistic approach.

Face and construct validation of a next generation virtual reality (Gen2-VR) surgical simulator.

PubMed

Sankaranarayanan, Ganesh; Li, Baichun; Manser, Kelly; Jones, Stephanie B; Jones, Daniel B; Schwaitzberg, Steven; Cao, Caroline G L; De, Suvranu

2016-03-01

Surgical performance is affected by distractors and interruptions to surgical workflow that exist in the operating room. However, traditional surgical simulators are used to train surgeons in a skills laboratory that does not recreate these conditions. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel, immersive virtual reality (Gen2-VR) system to train surgeons in these environments. This study was to establish face and construct validity of our system. The study was a within-subjects design, with subjects repeating a virtual peg transfer task under three different conditions: Case I: traditional VR; Case II: Gen2-VR with no distractions and Case III: Gen2-VR with distractions and interruptions. In Case III, to simulate the effects of distractions and interruptions, music was played intermittently, the camera lens was fogged for 10 s and tools malfunctioned for 15 s at random points in time during the simulation. At the completion of the study subjects filled in a 5-point Likert scale feedback questionnaire. A total of sixteen subjects participated in this study. Friedman test showed significant difference in scores between the three conditions (p < 0.0001). Post hoc analysis using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction further showed that all the three conditions were significantly different from each other (Case I, Case II, p < 0.0001), (Case I, Case III, p < 0.0001) and (Case II, Case III, p = 0.009). Subjects rated that fog (mean 4.18) and tool malfunction (median 4.56) significantly hindered their performance. The results showed that Gen2-VR simulator has both face and construct validity and that it can accurately and realistically present distractions and interruptions in a simulated OR, in spite of limitations of the current HMD hardware technology.

Face and Construct Validation of a Next Generation Virtual Reality (Gen2-VR©) Surgical Simulator

PubMed Central

Sankaranarayanan, Ganesh; Li, Baichun; Manser, Kelly; Jones, Stephanie B.; Jones, Daniel B.; Schwaitzberg, Steven; Cao, Caroline G. L.; De, Suvranu

2015-01-01

Introduction Surgical performance is affected by distractors and interruptions to surgical workflow that exist in the operating room. However, traditional surgical simulators are used to train surgeons in a skills lab that does not recreate these conditions. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel, immersive virtual reality (Gen2-VR©) system to train surgeons in these environments. This study was to establish face and construct validity of our system. Methods and Procedures The study was a within-subjects design, with subjects repeating a virtual peg transfer task under three different conditions: CASE I: traditional VR; CASE II: Gen2-VR© with no distractions and CASE III: Gen2-VR© with distractions and interruptions.. In Case III, to simulate the effects of distractions and interruptions, music was played intermittently, the camera lens was fogged for 10 seconds and tools malfunctioned for 15 seconds at random points in time during the simulation. At the completion of the study subjects filled in a 5-point Likert scale feedback questionnaire. A total of sixteen subjects participated in this study. Results Friedman test showed significant difference in scores between the three conditions (p < 0.0001). Post hoc analysis using Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests with Bonferroni correction further showed that all the three conditions were significantly different from each other (Case I, Case II, p < 0.001), (Case I, Case III, p < 0.001) and (Case II, Case III, p = 0.009). Subjects rated that fog (mean= 4.18) and tool malfunction (median = 4.56) significantly hindered their performance. Conclusion The results showed that Gen2-VR© simulator has both face and construct validity and it can accurately and realistically present distractions and interruptions in a simulated OR, in spite of limitations of the current HMD hardware technology. PMID:26092010

Transitioning Resolution Responsibility between the Controller and Automation Team in Simulated NextGen Separation Assurance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cabrall, C.; Gomez, A.; Homola, J.; Hunt, S..; Martin, L.; Merccer, J.; Prevott, T.

2013-01-01

As part of an ongoing research effort on separation assurance and functional allocation in NextGen, a controller- in-the-loop study with ground-based automation was conducted at NASA Ames' Airspace Operations Laboratory in August 2012 to investigate the potential impact of introducing self-separating aircraft in progressively advanced NextGen timeframes. From this larger study, the current exploratory analysis of controller-automation interaction styles focuses on the last and most far-term time frame. Measurements were recorded that firstly verified the continued operational validity of this iteration of the ground-based functional allocation automation concept in forecast traffic densities up to 2x that of current day high altitude en-route sectors. Additionally, with greater levels of fully automated conflict detection and resolution as well as the introduction of intervention functionality, objective and subjective analyses showed a range of passive to active controller- automation interaction styles between the participants. Not only did the controllers work with the automation to meet their safety and capacity goals in the simulated future NextGen timeframe, they did so in different ways and with different attitudes of trust/use of the automation. Taken as a whole, the results showed that the prototyped controller-automation functional allocation framework was very flexible and successful overall.

ForceGen 3D structure and conformer generation: from small lead-like molecules to macrocyclic drugs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cleves, Ann E.; Jain, Ajay N.

2017-05-01

We introduce the ForceGen method for 3D structure generation and conformer elaboration of drug-like small molecules. ForceGen is novel, avoiding use of distance geometry, molecular templates, or simulation-oriented stochastic sampling. The method is primarily driven by the molecular force field, implemented using an extension of MMFF94s and a partial charge estimator based on electronegativity-equalization. The force field is coupled to algorithms for direct sampling of realistic physical movements made by small molecules. Results are presented on a standard benchmark from the Cambridge Crystallographic Database of 480 drug-like small molecules, including full structure generation from SMILES strings. Reproduction of protein-bound crystallographic ligand poses is demonstrated on four carefully curated data sets: the ConfGen Set (667 ligands), the PINC cross-docking benchmark (1062 ligands), a large set of macrocyclic ligands (182 total with typical ring sizes of 12-23 atoms), and a commonly used benchmark for evaluating macrocycle conformer generation (30 ligands total). Results compare favorably to alternative methods, and performance on macrocyclic compounds approaches that observed on non-macrocycles while yielding a roughly 100-fold speed improvement over alternative MD-based methods with comparable performance.

GEN IV reactors: Where we are, where we should go

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Locatelli, G.; Mancini, M.; Todeschini, N.

2012-07-01

GEN IV power plants represent the mid-long term option of the nuclear sector. International literature proposes many papers and reports dealing with these reactors, but there is an evident difference of type and shape of information making impossible each kind of detailed comparison. Moreover, authors are often strongly involved in some particular design; this creates many difficulties in their super-partes position. Therefore it is necessary to put order in the most relevant information to understand strengths and weaknesses of each design and derive an overview useful for technicians and policy makers. This paper presents the state-of the art for GENmore » IV nuclear reactors providing a comprehensive literature review of the different designs with a relate taxonomy. It presents the more relevant references, data, advantages, disadvantages and barriers to the adoptions. In order to promote an efficient and wide adoption of GEN IV reactors the paper provides the pre-conditions that must be accomplished, enabling factors promoting the implementation and barriers limiting the extent and intensity of its implementation. It concludes outlying the state of the art of the most important R and D areas and the future achievements that must be accomplished for a wide adoption of these technologies. (authors)« less

Modeling and Evaluating Pilot Performance in NextGen: Review of and Recommendations Regarding Pilot Modeling Efforts, Architectures, and Validation Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wickens, Christopher; Sebok, Angelia; Keller, John; Peters, Steve; Small, Ronald; Hutchins, Shaun; Algarin, Liana; Gore, Brian Francis; Hooey, Becky Lee; Foyle, David C.

2013-01-01

NextGen operations are associated with a variety of changes to the national airspace system (NAS) including changes to the allocation of roles and responsibilities among operators and automation, the use of new technologies and automation, additional information presented on the flight deck, and the entire concept of operations (ConOps). In the transition to NextGen airspace, aviation and air operations designers need to consider the implications of design or system changes on human performance and the potential for error. To ensure continued safety of the NAS, it will be necessary for researchers to evaluate design concepts and potential NextGen scenarios well before implementation. One approach for such evaluations is through human performance modeling. Human performance models (HPMs) provide effective tools for predicting and evaluating operator performance in systems. HPMs offer significant advantages over empirical, human-in-the-loop testing in that (1) they allow detailed analyses of systems that have not yet been built, (2) they offer great flexibility for extensive data collection, (3) they do not require experimental participants, and thus can offer cost and time savings. HPMs differ in their ability to predict performance and safety with NextGen procedures, equipment and ConOps. Models also vary in terms of how they approach human performance (e.g., some focus on cognitive processing, others focus on discrete tasks performed by a human, while others consider perceptual processes), and in terms of their associated validation efforts. The objectives of this research effort were to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in identifying HPMs that are appropriate for predicting pilot performance in NextGen operations, to provide guidance on how to evaluate the quality of different models, and to identify gaps in pilot performance modeling research, that could guide future research opportunities. This research effort is intended to help the FAA

Control control control: a reassessment and comparison of GenBank and chromatogram mtDNA sequence variation in Baltic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus).

PubMed

Fietz, Katharina; Graves, Jeff A; Olsen, Morten Tange

2013-01-01

Genetic data can provide a powerful tool for those interested in the biology, management and conservation of wildlife, but also lead to erroneous conclusions if appropriate controls are not taken at all steps of the analytical process. This particularly applies to data deposited in public repositories such as GenBank, whose utility relies heavily on the assumption of high data quality. Here we report on an in-depth reassessment and comparison of GenBank and chromatogram mtDNA sequence data generated in a previous study of Baltic grey seals. By re-editing the original chromatogram data we found that approximately 40% of the grey seal mtDNA haplotype sequences posted in GenBank contained errors. The re-analysis of the edited chromatogram data yielded overall similar results and conclusions as the original study. However, a significantly different outcome was observed when using the uncorrected dataset based on the GenBank haplotypes. We therefore suggest disregarding the existing GenBank data and instead using the correct haplotypes reported here. Our study serves as an illustrative example reiterating the importance of quality control through every step of a research project, from data generation to interpretation and submission to an online repository. Errors conducted in any step may lead to biased results and conclusions, and could impact management decisions.

Control Control Control: A Reassessment and Comparison of GenBank and Chromatogram mtDNA Sequence Variation in Baltic Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus)

PubMed Central

Fietz, Katharina; Graves, Jeff A.; Olsen, Morten Tange

2013-01-01

Genetic data can provide a powerful tool for those interested in the biology, management and conservation of wildlife, but also lead to erroneous conclusions if appropriate controls are not taken at all steps of the analytical process. This particularly applies to data deposited in public repositories such as GenBank, whose utility relies heavily on the assumption of high data quality. Here we report on an in-depth reassessment and comparison of GenBank and chromatogram mtDNA sequence data generated in a previous study of Baltic grey seals. By re-editing the original chromatogram data we found that approximately 40% of the grey seal mtDNA haplotype sequences posted in GenBank contained errors. The re-analysis of the edited chromatogram data yielded overall similar results and conclusions as the original study. However, a significantly different outcome was observed when using the uncorrected dataset based on the GenBank haplotypes. We therefore suggest disregarding the existing GenBank data and instead using the correct haplotypes reported here. Our study serves as an illustrative example reiterating the importance of quality control through every step of a research project, from data generation to interpretation and submission to an online repository. Errors conducted in any step may lead to biased results and conclusions, and could impact management decisions. PMID:23977362

Traffic Generator (TrafficGen) Version 1.4.2: Users Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

events, the user has to enter them manually . We will research and implement a way to better define and organize the multicast addresses so they can be...the network with Transmission Control Protocol and User Datagram Protocol Internet Protocol traffic. Each node generating network traffic in an...TrafficGen Graphical User Interface (GUI) 3 3.1 Anatomy of the User Interface 3 3.2 Scenario Configuration and MGEN Files 4 4. Working with

Geochemical Monitoring Considerations for the FutureGen 2.0 Project

DOE PAGES

Amonette, James E.; Johnson, Timothy A.; Spencer, Clayton F.; ...

2014-12-31

Geochemical monitoring is an essential component of a suite of monitoring technologies designed to evaluate CO2 mass balance and detect possible loss of containment at the FutureGen 2.0 geologic sequestration site near Jacksonville, IL. This presentation gives an overview of the potential geochemical approaches and tracer technologies that were considered, and describes the evaluation process by which the most cost-effective and robust of these were selected for implementation

Flight Deck Technologies to Enable NextGen Low Visibility Surface Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prinzel, Lawrence (Lance) J., III; Arthur, Jarvis (Trey) J.; Kramer, Lynda J.; Norman, Robert M.; Bailey, Randall E.; Jones, Denise R.; Karwac, Jerry R., Jr.; Shelton, Kevin J.; Ellis, Kyle K. E.

2013-01-01

Many key capabilities are being identified to enable Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), including the concept of Equivalent Visual Operations (EVO) . replicating the capacity and safety of today.s visual flight rules (VFR) in all-weather conditions. NASA is striving to develop the technologies and knowledge to enable EVO and to extend EVO towards a Better-Than-Visual operational concept. This operational concept envisions an .equivalent visual. paradigm where an electronic means provides sufficient visual references of the external world and other required flight references on flight deck displays that enable Visual Flight Rules (VFR)-like operational tempos while maintaining and improving safety of VFR while using VFR-like procedures in all-weather conditions. The Langley Research Center (LaRC) has recently completed preliminary research on flight deck technologies for low visibility surface operations. The work assessed the potential of enhanced vision and airport moving map displays to achieve equivalent levels of safety and performance to existing low visibility operational requirements. The work has the potential to better enable NextGen by perhaps providing an operational credit for conducting safe low visibility surface operations by use of the flight deck technologies.

Reflexión bioética sobre el uso de organismos genéticamente modificados

PubMed Central

Yunta, Eduardo Rodríguez

2011-01-01

El presente artículo reflexiona desde los 4 principios de la bioética el uso comercial de organismos genéticamente modificados. Se cuestiona fundamentalmente la falta de transferencia de tecnología entre el mundo desarrollado y en desarrollo y el que el presente sistema de patentamiento de organismos vivos modificados fomenta intereses comerciales y no da debida importancia al desarrollo sostenible de la agricultura y ganadería en los países en desarrollo, donde más se necesita. Se reflexiona sobre la importancia que tiene evaluar los riesgos antes de introducirse en el mercado organismos genéticamente modificados y la necesidad de regulación en los países. PMID:21927675

Evolutionary Trends of Perkinsozoa (Alveolata) Characters Based on Observations of Two New Genera of Parasitoids of dinoflagellates, Dinovorax gen. nov. and Snorkelia gen. nov.

PubMed Central

Reñé, Albert; Alacid, Elisabet; Ferrera, Isabel; Garcés, Esther

2017-01-01

Parasites are one of the ecologically most relevant groups of marine food webs, but their taxonomic and biological complexity hampers the assessment of their diversity and evolutionary trends. Moreover, the within-host processes that govern parasitoid infection, development and reproduction are often unknown. In this study, we describe a new species of a perkinsozoan endoparasitoid that infects the toxic dinoflagellate Dinophysis sacculus, by including observations of its morphology, ultrastructure, life-cycle development and phylogeny. The SSU rDNA sequence and main morphological features were also obtained for a second parasitoid species infecting the bloom-forming dinoflagellate Levanderina fissa. Phylogenetic analyses including the sequences obtained show that all known Perkinsozoa species infecting dinoflagellates cluster together. However, sequences of Parvilucifera prorocentri and those obtained in this study cluster at the base of the clade, while the rest of Parvilucifera representatives form a separated highly-supported cluster. These results, together with differing morphological characters like the formation of a germ-tube, the presence of trichocysts, or the heterochromatin presence in zoospores nucleus justify the erection of Dinovorax pyriformis gen. nov. et sp. nov., and Snorkelia prorocentri gen. nov. et comb. nov. (=Parvilucifera prorocentri). The morphological features and phylogenetic position of these parasitoids represent ancestral characters for the Perkinsozoa phylum, and also for Dinozoa clade, allowing the inference of the evolutionary framework of these Alveolata members. PMID:28970818

Description of Alloprevotella rava gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the human oral cavity, and reclassification of Prevotella tannerae Moore et al. 1994 as Alloprevotella tannerae gen. nov., comb. nov.

PubMed

Downes, Julia; Dewhirst, Floyd E; Tanner, Anne C R; Wade, William G

2013-04-01

Five strains of anaerobic, gram-negative bacilli isolated from the human oral cavity were subjected to a comprehensive range of phenotypic and genotypic tests and were found to comprise a homogeneous group. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these strains represented a novel group within the family Prevotellaceae, and the most closely related species was Prevotella tannerae. P. tannerae and the novel taxon are deeply branched from the genus Prevotella, with sequence identities to the type strain of the type species of Prevotella, Prevotella melaninogenica, of 82.2 and 85.6 %, respectively. The novel genus Alloprevotella gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the novel species Alloprevotella rava gen. nov., sp. nov. and the previously named Prevotella tannerae Moore et al. 1994 as Alloprevotella tannerae gen. nov., comb. nov. The type species is Alloprevotella tannerae. The type strain of Alloprevotella rava is 81/4-12(T) ( = DSM 22548(T)  = CCUG 58091(T)) and the type strain of Alloprevotella tannerae is ATCC 51259(T)  = CCUG 34292(T)  = CIP 104476(T)  = NCTC 13073(T). Alloprevotella rava is weakly to moderately saccharolytic and produces moderate amounts of acetic acid and major amounts of succinic acid as end products of fermentation. Strains are sensitive to 20 % bile and hydrolyse gelatin. The principal cellular long-chain fatty acids are anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain is 47 mol%.

Structural and magnetic properties of FeGen-/0 (n = 3-12) clusters: Mass-selected anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Xiao-Jiao; Kong, Xiang-Yu; Liang, Xiaoqing; Yang, Bin; Xu, Hong-Guang; Xu, Xi-Ling; Feng, Gang; Zheng, Wei-Jun

2017-12-01

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of FeGen-/0 (n = 3-12) clusters were investigated by using anion photoelectron spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations. For both anionic and neutral FeGen (n = 3-12) clusters with n ≤ 7, the dominant structures are exohedral. The FeGe8-/0 clusters have half-encapsulated boat-shaped structures, and the opening of the boat-shaped structure is gradually covered by the additional Ge atoms to form Gen cage from n = 9 to 11. The structures of FeGe10-/0 can be viewed as two Ge atoms symmetrically capping the opening of the boat-shaped structure of FeGe8, and those of FeGe12-/0 are distorted hexagonal prisms with the Fe atom at the center. Natural population analysis shows that there is an electron transfer from the Ge atoms to the Fe atom at n = 8-12. The total magnetic moment of FeGen-/0 and local magnetic moment of the Fe atom have not been quenched.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism in patients with lung cancer in a Korean population

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background This study was designed to investigate an association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. Methods We conducted a large-scale, case-control study involving 3938 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and 1700 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed with peripheral blood DNA for MTHFR C677T polymorphisms. Statistical significance was estimated by logistic regression analysis. Results The MTHFR C677T frequencies of CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 34.5%, 48.5%, and 17% among lung cancer patients, and 31.8%, 50.7%, and 17.5% in the controls, respectively. The MTHFR 677CT and TT genotype showed a weak protection against lung cancer compared with the homozygous CC genotype, although the results did not reach statistical significance. The age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of overall lung cancer was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77-1.04) for MTHFR 677 CT and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.71-1.07) for MTHFR 677TT. However, after stratification analysis by histological type, the MTHFR 677CT genotype showed a significantly decreased risk for squamous cell carcinoma (age- and gender-adjusted OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.96). The combination of 677 TT homozygous with 677 CT heterozygous also appeared to have a protection effect on the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. We observed no significant interaction between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and age and gender or smoking habit. Conclusions This is the first reported study focusing on the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The T allele was found to provide a weak protective association with lung squamous cell carcinoma. PMID:21342495

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene haplotypes affect toxicity during maintenance therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Japanese patients.

PubMed

Tanaka, Yoichi; Manabe, Atsushi; Nakadate, Hisaya; Kondoh, Kensuke; Nakamura, Kozue; Koh, Katsuyoshi; Kikuchi, Akira; Komiyama, Takako

2014-05-01

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of daily 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and low-dose weekly methotrexate (MTX) combination treatment and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) haplotypes on toxicity during maintenance therapy in Japanese childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We retrospectively analyzed the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and influence of haplotypes on toxicity in 73 patients. Patients with the MTHFR 677TT and 677CT + 1298AC were associated with severe liver toxicity (p = 0.014, odds ratio [OR] = 3.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-11.46) and more rapid onset of liver toxicity (p = 0.010). Patients with MTHFR 677TT and 677CT + 1298AC were associated with lower frequency of 6-MP and MTX dose reduction due to leukopenia (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in average drug doses in the MTHFR genotypes. In conclusion, the MTHFR C677T and A1298C haplotypes might be useful for monitoring adverse effects in childhood ALL maintenance therapy in Japanese patients.

Tadaridanema delicatus (Schwartz, 1927) n. gen., n. comb. (Trichostrongylina: Molineidae) parasite of Molossidae bats.

PubMed

Falcón-Ordaz, Jorge; Guzmán-Cornejo, Carmen; García-Prieto, Luis; Gardner, Scott Lyell

2006-10-01

On the basis of the revision of the type material of Anoplostrongylus delicatus Schwartz, 1927, and new specimens collected from Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana (Saussure, 1860) in 4 arid localities from Mexico, we describe a new genus (Tadaridanema n. gen.), to which A. delicatus is transferred (as Tadaridanema delicatus (Schwartz, 1927) n. gen., n. comb.). This new genus differs from all other genera included in Anoplostrongylinae by having ray 2 larger than ray 3. In addition, T. delicatus can be differentiated from the type species of Anoplostrongylus (Anoplostrongylus paradoxus (Travassos, 1918)) because it possess vestibular branches equal in length, cephalic inflation divided into 2 regions, and synlophe with many small ridges at the midbody level, whereas in T. delicatus, vestibular branches are equal in size, cephalic inflation is simple in structure, and the synlophe has only 2 well-developed dorsal cuticular ridges.

Parametric Modeling of the Safety Effects of NextGen Terminal Maneuvering Area Conflict Scenarios

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, William H.; Waldron, Timothy P.; Stroiney, Steven R.

2011-01-01

The goal of this work was to analytically identify and quantify the issues, challenges, technical hurdles, and pilot-vehicle interface issues associated with conflict detection and resolution (CD&R)in emerging operational concepts for a NextGen terminal aneuvering area, including surface operations. To this end, the work entailed analytical and trade studies focused on modeling the achievable safety benefits of different CD&R strategies and concepts in the current and future airport environment. In addition, crew-vehicle interface and pilot performance enhancements and potential issues were analyzed based on review of envisioned NextGen operations, expected equipage advances, and human factors expertise. The results of perturbation analysis, which quantify the high-level performance impact of changes to key parameters such as median response time and surveillance position error, show that the analytical model developed could be useful in making technology investment decisions.

Endosporoideus gen. nov., a mitosporic fungus on Phoenix hanceana.

PubMed

Ho, Wai Hong; Yanna; Hyde, Kevin D; Goh, Teik Khiang

2005-01-01

Endosporoideus pedicellata gen. et sp, nov. is described and illustrated from decaying petioles of Phoenix hanceana collected from grassland in Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong. The genus is unique in producing solitary, phragmosporous conidia. The conidia comprise a brown to dark brown inner-wall layer and thick, hyaline outer-wall layer and are produced holoblastically from determinate conidiogenous cells on micronematous, mononematous conidiophores. Cells of conidia may disarticulate at the septa. Representative steps in conidiogenesis of E. pedicellata are illustrated with light micrographs, and details of the conidiogenous events are interpreted schematically.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and risk of coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Kerkeni, Mohsen; Addad, Faouzi; Chauffert, Maryline; Myara, Anne; Gerhardt, Marie; Chevenne, Didier; Trivin, François; Farhat, Mohamed Ben; Miled, Abdelhedi; Maaroufi, Khira

2006-05-01

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent, graded risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism is associated with hyperhomcysteinaemia and may therefore influence individual susceptibility to CAD. We have investigated this risk factor in a Tunisian Arab population. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect the C677T and A1298C variants of the MTHFR gene in 100 patients with CAD and 120 healthy controls. The severity of CAD was expressed as the number of affected vessels. Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration was determined using a direct chemiluminescence assay. MTHFR CC, CT and TT genotype frequencies in the CAD group were significantly different from those observed in the control group (49%, 35% and 16% versus 48.3%, 45.8% and 5.8%, respectively; P = 0.031). However, MTHFR AA, AC and CC genotypes frequencies in the CAD group were not significantly different from the control group ( P = 0.568). Patients with CAD showed higher plasma tHcy concentrations than patients without CAD (15.86 +/- 8.63 micromol/L versus 11.90 +/- 3.25 micromol/L, P < 0.001). There was no association between the MTHFR polymorphisms and the number of stenosed vessels. Patients with the MTHFR TT genotype had higher plasma tHcy, serum creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations than patients with the MTHFR CC genotype. The C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia, lipid dysregulation and the presence of CAD in this Tunisian Arab population.

TS Gene Polymorphisms Correlate with Susceptibility to Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Children.

PubMed

Zou, Runyin; He, Xiangling; Wu, Yanpeng; Tian, Xin; You, Yalan; Zheng, Mincui; Li, Wanli; Zou, Hui; Liu, Hua; Zhu, Xiujuan; Zhu, Chengguang

2017-06-24

BACKGROUND Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children is a clonal disease of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. This study aimed to explore the associations between MTHFR or TS genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS This case-control study included 79 ALL patients (case group) and 102 non-ALL patients (control group). Post-PCR genomic DNA sequencing revealed MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C genotypes and TS polymorphisms. The χ² test was used to compare differences in MTHFR and TS polymorphisms (including genotypic and allelic distributions) between groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine genetic polymorphisms and ALL risk associations. RESULTS The results indicated that TS 3R allele frequency was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (χ²=7.45, P<0.05). The MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms were not associated with ALL risk. Compared to the TS 2R/2R genotype, subjects carrying TS 2R/3R were twice as likely to develop ALL, and the TS 3R/3R+3R/4R genotype carried a 4-fold higher risk of developing ALL (OR=1.96, CI: 1.14-3.36). CONCLUSIONS The TS genetic polymorphisms increase the ALL risk. The TS 3R allele was a risk factor for ALL. There were no associations between MTHFR C677T or MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms and ALL susceptibility.

GEN-27, a Newly Synthetic Isoflavonoid, Inhibits the Proliferation of Colon Cancer Cells in Inflammation Microenvironment by Suppressing NF-κB Pathway

PubMed Central

Wang, Yajing; Lu, Ping; Zhang, Weifeng; Du, Qianming; Tang, Jingjing; Wang, Hong; Lu, Jinrong; Hu, Rong

2016-01-01

Nonresolving inflammation is one of the consistent features of the tumor microenvironment in the intestine and plays a critical role in the initiation and development of colon cancer. Here we reported the inhibitory effects of GEN-27, a new derivative of genistein, on the inflammation-related colon cancer cell proliferation and delineated the mechanism of its action. The results indicated that GEN-27 inhibited the proliferation of human colon tumor HCT116 cells stimulated by culture supernatants of LPS-induced human monocytes THP-1 cells and significantly decreased LPS-induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β in THP-1 cells. The HCT116 cell proliferation elicited by THP-1-conditioned medium could be blocked by the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). Further mechanistic study revealed that GEN-27 remarkably inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of IκB and IKKα/β in both HCT116 and THP-1 cells. In addition, GEN-27 markedly suppressed the HCT116 cell proliferation stimulated by IL-1β treatment, which was dependent on the inhibition of NF-κB/p65 nuclear localization, as verified by p65 overexpression and BAY 11-7082, an NF-κB inhibitor. Taken together, our findings established that GEN-27 modulated NF-κB signaling pathway involved in inflammation-induced cancer cells proliferation and therefore could be a potential chemopreventive agent against inflammation-associated colon cancer. PMID:27057094

A rapid UPLC method for simultaneous determination of eleven components in 'Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian' decoction.

PubMed

An, Rui; You, Lisha; Zhang, Yizhu; Wang, Xinhong; Ma, Yuemin

2014-10-01

'Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian' Decoction derived from 'Shang-Han-Lun' compiled by Zhang Zhongjing. It is widely used in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, bacillary dysentery, virus diarrhea. This paper describes a sensitive and specific assay for the determination of the 11-marker compounds using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). To develop an UPLC method for simultaneous determination of 11 bioactive compounds in 'Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian' preparations. The chromatography analysis was performed on an Agilent Proshell 120 EC-C18 column (4.6 × 50 mm, 2.7 μm) at 30°C with a gradient elution of methanol, 0.5% formic acid and 0.5% ammonium acetate at a flow rate 1.0 ml/min and UV detected at 270 nm. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r ≥ 0.9993) within tested ranges. Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) fell in the range between 0.0691-1.04 μg/ml and 0.23-3.43 μg/ml, respectively. The mean recovery of each herbal medicine ranged from 96.60 to 102.11%. The method was validated for repeatability, precision, stability, accuracy, and selectivity. The validated method was successfully applied to simultaneous analysis of these active components in 'Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian' decoction.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in patients with small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Siemianowicz, Krzysztof; Gminski, Jan; Garczorz, Wojciech; Slabiak, Natalia; Goss, Malgorzata; Machalski, Marek; Magiera-Molendowska, Helena

2003-01-01

Two mutations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T and A1298C) may lead to a decreased activity of the enzyme. These mutations may change a risk of some cancers. We evaluated these two polymorphisms of MTHFR in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NCSCL). All lung cancer patients had statistically significantly higher percentage of MTHFR 677TT genotype in comparison with non-cancer controls. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of MTHFR 1298 genotypes. Neither of the polymorphisms presented any statistically significant differences between SCLC and NSCLC.

Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism C677T and risk of chronic myeloid leukemia in Serbian population.

PubMed

Jakovljevic, Ksenija; Malisic, Emina; Cavic, Milena; Radulovic, Sinisa; Jankovic, Radmila

2012-07-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme regulating the intracellular folate metabolism which plays an important role in carcinogenesis through DNA methylation and nucleotide synthesis. The common MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphism C677T has been reported to be associated with reduced enzymatic activity. In order to investigate the influence of this polymorphism on the risk of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), we performed a case-control study in a Serbian population of 52 patients with CML and 53 healthy control subjects. MTHFR C677T polymorphism genotyping was assessed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The results demonstrated no statistical difference in MTHFR 677 frequency distribution between patient and control groups. Our findings suggest that MTHFR 677 gene variants have no significant influence on the susceptibility to CML in a Serbian population.

GenSo-EWS: a novel neural-fuzzy based early warning system for predicting bank failures.

PubMed

Tung, W L; Quek, C; Cheng, P

2004-05-01

Bank failure prediction is an important issue for the regulators of the banking industries. The collapse and failure of a bank could trigger an adverse financial repercussion and generate negative impacts such as a massive bail out cost for the failing bank and loss of confidence from the investors and depositors. Very often, bank failures are due to financial distress. Hence, it is desirable to have an early warning system (EWS) that identifies potential bank failure or high-risk banks through the traits of financial distress. Various traditional statistical models have been employed to study bank failures [J Finance 1 (1975) 21; J Banking Finance 1 (1977) 249; J Banking Finance 10 (1986) 511; J Banking Finance 19 (1995) 1073]. However, these models do not have the capability to identify the characteristics of financial distress and thus function as black boxes. This paper proposes the use of a new neural fuzzy system [Foundations of neuro-fuzzy systems, 1997], namely the Generic Self-organising Fuzzy Neural Network (GenSoFNN) [IEEE Trans Neural Networks 13 (2002c) 1075] based on the compositional rule of inference (CRI) [Commun ACM 37 (1975) 77], as an alternative to predict banking failure. The CRI based GenSoFNN neural fuzzy network, henceforth denoted as GenSoFNN-CRI(S), functions as an EWS and is able to identify the inherent traits of financial distress based on financial covariates (features) derived from publicly available financial statements. The interaction between the selected features is captured in the form of highly intuitive IF-THEN fuzzy rules. Such easily comprehensible rules provide insights into the possible characteristics of financial distress and form the knowledge base for a highly desired EWS that aids bank regulation. The performance of the GenSoFNN-CRI(S) network is subsequently benchmarked against that of the Cox's proportional hazards model [J Banking Finance 10 (1986) 511; J Banking Finance 19 (1995) 1073], the multi

Association of vdr, cyp27b1, cyp24a1 and mthfr gene polymorphisms with oral lichen planus risk.

PubMed

Kujundzic, Bojan; Zeljic, Katarina; Supic, Gordana; Magic, Marko; Stanimirovic, Dragan; Ilic, Vesna; Jovanovic, Barbara; Magic, Zvonko

2016-05-01

The current study investigated the association between VDR EcoRV (rs4516035), FokI (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232) and TaqI (rs731236), CYP27B1 (rs4646536), CYP24A1 (rs2296241), and MTHFR (rs1801133) gene polymorphisms and risk of oral lichen planus (OLP) occurrence. The study group consisted of 65 oral lichen planus patients and 100 healthy blood donors in the control group. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by real time PCR or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Heterozygous as well as mutated genotype of vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI (rs2228570) polymorphism was associated with increased oral lichen planus risk in comparison with wild type genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 3.877, p = 0.017, OR = 38.153, p = 0.001, respectively). A significantly decreased OLP risk was observed for heterozygous genotype of rs2296241 polymorphism in CYP24A1 gene compared with the wild type form (OR = 0.314, p = 0.012). VDR gene polymorphisms ApaI and TaqI were in linkage disequilibrium (D' = 0.71, r(2) = 0.22). Identified haplotype AT was associated with decreased OLP risk (OR = 0.592, p = 0.047). Our results highlight the possible important role of VDR FokI (rs2228570) and CYP24A1 rs2296241 gene polymorphisms for oral lichen planus susceptibility. Identification of new molecular biomarkers could potentially contribute to determination of individuals with OLP predisposition.

Gen IV Materials Handbook Beta Release for Structural and Functional Evaluation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Weiju; Luttrell, Claire

2006-09-12

Development of the Gen IV Materials Handbook is briefly summarized up to date. Current status of the Handbook website construction is described. The developed Handbook components and access control of the beta version are discussed for the present evaluation release. Detailed instructions and examples are given to provide guidance for evaluators to browse the constructed parts and use all the currently developed functionalities of the Handbook in evaluation.

Military Standard Generators Prototype Modifications. Volume 3. 60 kW DoD Generator Set

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-31

14 JAN ., 17 :35: ’w. 6843 GEN S DS-00 273 . .. •- -,- - 32. 351 3 DE,-.. F Z EX ,-UST 2 895. 93 DEL;. F C REL!:7T 3 988.34 DEC-. F C 4 EXH-4AUST 4...33. 351 DEG. F C 20 GEN. FRAME TOP 11. 64 DEG. F C 2:1 GEN. FRAME BTTM 82. 15± DEG. F C 21 GEN. FRAME BTTM 113. i6 DEG. F C 2,. GEN. EXCITER 32. 992...DEG. F C 21 GEli . FRAME BTTM ±88.15 DEG. F S2 -EN. EXCITER 12. 49 DEG. F C 22 S-EN. EXCITER 185. 5 DEG. F 27 G2N. ’OLT. REG. 95. 459 DEG. F C 23 GEN

Alteration of the Alkaloid Profile in Genetically Modified Tobacco Reveals a Role of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase in Nicotine N-Demethylation1[C][W][OA

PubMed Central

Hung, Chiu-Yueh; Fan, Longjiang; Kittur, Farooqahmed S.; Sun, Kehan; Qiu, Jie; Tang, She; Holliday, Bronwyn M.; Xiao, Bingguang; Burkey, Kent O.; Bush, Lowell P.; Conkling, Mark A.; Roje, Sanja; Xie, Jiahua

2013-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme of the tetrahydrofolate (THF)-mediated one-carbon (C1) metabolic network. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of 5,10-methylene-THF to 5-methyl-THF. The latter donates its methyl group to homocysteine, forming methionine, which is then used for the synthesis of S-adenosyl-methionine, a universal methyl donor for numerous methylation reactions, to produce primary and secondary metabolites. Here, we demonstrate that manipulating tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) MTHFR gene (NtMTHFR1) expression dramatically alters the alkaloid profile in transgenic tobacco plants by negatively regulating the expression of a secondary metabolic pathway nicotine N-demethylase gene, CYP82E4. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and alkaloid analyses revealed that reducing NtMTHFR expression by RNA interference dramatically induced CYP82E4 expression, resulting in higher nicotine-to-nornicotine conversion rates. Conversely, overexpressing NtMTHFR1 suppressed CYP82E4 expression, leading to lower nicotine-to-nornicotine conversion rates. However, the reduced expression of NtMTHFR did not affect the methionine and S-adenosyl-methionine levels in the knockdown lines. Our finding reveals a new regulatory role of NtMTHFR1 in nicotine N-demethylation and suggests that the negative regulation of CYP82E4 expression may serve to recruit methyl groups from nicotine into the C1 pool under C1-deficient conditions. PMID:23221678

Implementing genetic education in primary care: the Gen-Equip programme.

PubMed

Paneque, Milena; Cornel, Martina C; Curtisova, Vaclava; Houwink, Elisa; Jackson, Leigh; Kent, Alastair; Lunt, Peter; Macek, Milan; Stefansdottir, Vigdis; Turchetti, Daniela; Skirton, Heather

2017-04-01

Genetics and genomics are increasingly relevant to primary healthcare but training is unavailable to many practitioners. Education that can be accessed by practitioners without cost or travel is essential. The Gen-Equip project was formed to provide effective education in genetics for primary healthcare in Europe and so improve patient care. Partners include patient representatives and specialists in genetics and primary care from six countries. Here, we report the progress and challenges involved in creating a European online educational program in genetics.

Gen 2.0 Mixer/Ejector Nozzle Test at LSAF June 1995 to July 1996

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arney, L. D.; Sandquist, D. L.; Forsyth, D. W.; Lidstone, G. L.; Long-Davis, Mary Jo (Technical Monitor)

2005-01-01

Testing of the HSCT Generation 2.0 nozzle model hardware was conducted at the Boeing Low Speed Aeroacoustic Facility, LSAF. Concurrent measurements of noise and thrust were made at critical takeoff design conditions for a variety of mixer/ejector model hardware. Design variables such as suppressor area ratio, mixer area ratio, liner type and thickness, ejector length, lobe penetration, and mixer chute shape were tested. Parallel testing was conducted at G.E.'s Cell 41 acoustic free jet facility to augment the LSAF test. The results from the Gen 2.0 testing are being used to help shape the current nozzle baseline configuration and guide the efforts in the upcoming Generation 2.5 and 3.0 nozzle tests. The Gen 2.0 results have been included in the total airplane system studies conducted at MDC and Boeing to provide updated noise and thrust performance estimates.

Description of Alloprevotella rava gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the human oral cavity, and reclassification of Prevotella tannerae Moore et al. 1994 as Alloprevotella tannerae gen. nov., comb. nov.

PubMed Central

Downes, Julia; Dewhirst, Floyd E.; Tanner, Anne C. R.

2013-01-01

Five strains of anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli isolated from the human oral cavity were subjected to a comprehensive range of phenotypic and genotypic tests and were found to comprise a homogeneous group. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these strains represented a novel group within the family Prevotellaceae, and the most closely related species was Prevotella tannerae. P. tannerae and the novel taxon are deeply branched from the genus Prevotella, with sequence identities to the type strain of the type species of Prevotella, Prevotella melaninogenica, of 82.2 and 85.6 %, respectively. The novel genus Alloprevotella gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the novel species Alloprevotella rava gen. nov., sp. nov. and the previously named Prevotella tannerae Moore et al. 1994 as Alloprevotella tannerae gen. nov., comb. nov. The type species is Alloprevotella tannerae. The type strain of Alloprevotella rava is 81/4-12T ( = DSM 22548T  = CCUG 58091T) and the type strain of Alloprevotella tannerae is ATCC 51259T  = CCUG 34292T  = CIP 104476T  = NCTC 13073T. Alloprevotella rava is weakly to moderately saccharolytic and produces moderate amounts of acetic acid and major amounts of succinic acid as end products of fermentation. Strains are sensitive to 20 % bile and hydrolyse gelatin. The principal cellular long-chain fatty acids are anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain is 47 mol%. PMID:22753527

Sandsitermes gen. nov., a new nasute termite genus from South America (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae).

PubMed

Cuezzo, Carolina; Cancello, Eliana M; Carrijo, Tiago F

2017-01-20

We establish herein a new genus of Neotropical termites of the subfamily Nasutitermitinae, Sandsitermes gen. nov.. The new genus accommodates a previously described species, Nasutitermes robustus (Holmgren), and is diagnosed by worker characters, including the mandibles, the gut-coiling configuration in situ, and the pattern of cushions and spines of the enteric valve. We characterized and illustrated the imago for the first time and redescribe the soldier and worker castes of Sandsitermes robustus gen. et comb. nov. from syntypes and other samples from eastern Peru. We support our taxonomic decision, presenting morphological differences between the gut pattern and enteric valve of S. robustus and 13 neotropical Nasutitermes species studied for this report, and discuss possible relationships with other neotropical nasute termites.

Didelphostrongylus hayesi gen. et sp. n. (Metastrogyloidea: Filaroididae) from the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis.

PubMed

Prestwood, A K

1976-04-01

Didelphostrongylus hayesi gen. et sp. n. from the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis, is distinguished from other genera of the Angoistrongylinae by the structure of the dorsal and lateral rays, complex gubernaculum, and ovoviviparity. Third-stage larvae developed in Mesodon perigraptus and Triodopsis albolabris. The prepatent period was 22 days in experimentally infected opossums.

Roles of SLX1–SLX4, MUS81–EME1, and GEN1 in avoiding genome instability and mitotic catastrophe

PubMed Central

Sarbajna, Shriparna; Davies, Derek; West, Stephen C.

2014-01-01

The resolution of recombination intermediates containing Holliday junctions (HJs) is critical for genome maintenance and proper chromosome segregation. Three pathways for HJ processing exist in human cells and involve the following enzymes/complexes: BLM–TopoIIIα–RMI1–RMI2 (BTR complex), SLX1–SLX4–MUS81–EME1 (SLX–MUS complex), and GEN1. Cycling cells preferentially use the BTR complex for the removal of double HJs in S phase, with SLX–MUS and GEN1 acting at temporally distinct phases of the cell cycle. Cells lacking SLX–MUS and GEN1 exhibit chromosome missegregation, micronucleus formation, and elevated levels of 53BP1-positive G1 nuclear bodies, suggesting that defects in chromosome segregation lead to the transmission of extensive DNA damage to daughter cells. In addition, however, we found that the effects of SLX4, MUS81, and GEN1 depletion extend beyond mitosis, since genome instability is observed throughout all phases of the cell cycle. This is exemplified in the form of impaired replication fork movement and S-phase progression, endogenous checkpoint activation, chromosome segmentation, and multinucleation. In contrast to SLX4, SLX1, the nuclease subunit of the SLX1–SLX4 structure-selective nuclease, plays no role in the replication-related phenotypes associated with SLX4/MUS81 and GEN1 depletion. These observations demonstrate that the SLX1–SLX4 nuclease and the SLX4 scaffold play divergent roles in the maintenance of genome integrity in human cells. PMID:24831703

Severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency in mice results in behavioral anomalies with morphological and biochemical changes in hippocampus.

PubMed

Jadavji, Nafisa M; Deng, Liyuan; Leclerc, Daniel; Malysheva, Olga; Bedell, Barry J; Caudill, Marie A; Rozen, Rima

2012-06-01

The brain is particularly sensitive to folate metabolic disturbances, since methyl groups are critical for its functions. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) generates the primary circulatory form of folate required for homocysteine remethylation to methionine. Neurological disturbances have been described in homocystinuria caused by severe MTHFR deficiency. The goal of this study was to determine if behavioral anomalies are present in severe Mthfr-deficient (Mthfr(-/-)) mice and to identify neurobiological changes that could contribute to these anomalies. Adult male mice of 3 Mthfr genotypes (+/+, +/-, -/-) were tested on motor, anxiety, exploratory and cognitive tasks. Volumes (whole brain and hippocampus) and morphology, global DNA methylation, apoptosis, expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and concentrations of choline metabolites were assessed in hippocampus. Mthfr(-/-) mice had impairments in motor function and in short- and long-term memory, increased exploratory behavior and decreased anxiety. They showed decreased whole brain and hippocampal volumes, reduced thickness of the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 and CA3, and increased apoptosis in hippocampus. There was a disturbance in choline metabolism as manifested by differences in acetylcholine, betaine or glycerophosphocholine concentrations, and by increased ChAT levels. Mthfr(-/-) mice also had increased GR mRNA and protein. Our study has revealed significant anomalies in affective behavior and impairments in memory of Mthfr(-/-) mice. We identified structural changes, increased apoptosis, altered choline metabolism and GR dysregulation in hippocampus. These findings, as well as some similar observations in cerebellum, could contribute to the behavioral changes and suggest that choline is a critical metabolite in homocystinuria. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Relationship between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism and adverse reactions of high-dose methotrexate in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia].

PubMed

Zheng, Miao-Miao; Yue, Li-Jie; Chen, Xiao-Wen; Wen, Fei-Qiu; Li, Chang-Gang; Yang, Chun-Lan; Xie, Cai; Ding, Hui

2013-03-01

To study the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and toxicities after high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) infusion in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). MTHFR variants in 52 children with ALL were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing. Toxicities of children who received HD-MTX chemotherapy were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC). The children carrying MTHFR 1298AC had a higher risk of developing thrombocytopenia compared with the carriers of the 1298 AA genotype (OR=13.7, 95%CI=1.18-159.36, P=0.036). There was no significant difference in HD-MTX chemotherapy-related adverse effects between the patients with different MTHFR C677T or G1793A genotypes. MTHFR A1298C polymorohism may associate with the toxicity of HD-MTX chemotherapy in children with ALL.

WallGen, software to construct layered cellulose-hemicellulose networks and predict their small deformation mechanics.

PubMed

Kha, Hung; Tuble, Sigrid C; Kalyanasundaram, Shankar; Williamson, Richard E

2010-02-01

We understand few details about how the arrangement and interactions of cell wall polymers produce the mechanical properties of primary cell walls. Consequently, we cannot quantitatively assess if proposed wall structures are mechanically reasonable or assess the effectiveness of proposed mechanisms to change mechanical properties. As a step to remedying this, we developed WallGen, a Fortran program (available on request) building virtual cellulose-hemicellulose networks by stochastic self-assembly whose mechanical properties can be predicted by finite element analysis. The thousands of mechanical elements in the virtual wall are intended to have one-to-one spatial and mechanical correspondence with their real wall counterparts of cellulose microfibrils and hemicellulose chains. User-defined inputs set the properties of the two polymer types (elastic moduli, dimensions of microfibrils and hemicellulose chains, hemicellulose molecular weight) and their population properties (microfibril alignment and volume fraction, polymer weight percentages in the network). This allows exploration of the mechanical consequences of variations in nanostructure that might occur in vivo and provides estimates of how uncertainties regarding certain inputs will affect WallGen's mechanical predictions. We summarize WallGen's operation and the choice of values for user-defined inputs and show that predicted values for the elastic moduli of multinet walls subject to small displacements overlap measured values. "Design of experiment" methods provide systematic exploration of how changed input values affect mechanical properties and suggest that changing microfibril orientation and/or the number of hemicellulose cross-bridges could change wall mechanical anisotropy.

GenProBiS: web server for mapping of sequence variants to protein binding sites.

PubMed

Konc, Janez; Skrlj, Blaz; Erzen, Nika; Kunej, Tanja; Janezic, Dusanka

2017-07-03

Discovery of potentially deleterious sequence variants is important and has wide implications for research and generation of new hypotheses in human and veterinary medicine, and drug discovery. The GenProBiS web server maps sequence variants to protein structures from the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and further to protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, protein-compound, and protein-metal ion binding sites. The concept of a protein-compound binding site is understood in the broadest sense, which includes glycosylation and other post-translational modification sites. Binding sites were defined by local structural comparisons of whole protein structures using the Protein Binding Sites (ProBiS) algorithm and transposition of ligands from the similar binding sites found to the query protein using the ProBiS-ligands approach with new improvements introduced in GenProBiS. Binding site surfaces were generated as three-dimensional grids encompassing the space occupied by predicted ligands. The server allows intuitive visual exploration of comprehensively mapped variants, such as human somatic mis-sense mutations related to cancer and non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms from 21 species, within the predicted binding sites regions for about 80 000 PDB protein structures using fast WebGL graphics. The GenProBiS web server is open and free to all users at http://genprobis.insilab.org. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Modeling Off-Nominal Recovery in NextGen Terminal-Area Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Callantine, Todd J.

2011-01-01

Robust schedule-based arrival management requires efficient recovery from off-nominal situations. This paper presents research on modeling off-nominal situations and plans for recovering from them using TRAC, a route/airspace design, fast-time simulation, and analysis tool for studying NextGen trajectory-based operations. The paper provides an overview of a schedule-based arrival-management concept and supporting controller tools, then describes TRAC implementations of methods for constructing off-nominal scenarios, generating trajectory options to meet scheduling constraints, and automatically producing recovery plans.

A Measurement of GE^n at High Momentum Transfer in Hall A

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feuerbach, Robert J.; Wojtsekhowski, Bogdan

2006-10-01

A precision measurement of the electric form-factor of the neutron, GE^n, at Q^2 up to 3.5 GeV^2 was recently completed in Hall A at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility(Jefferson Lab). The ratio GE^n/GM^n was measured through the beam-target asymmetry A of electrons quasi-elastically scattered off neutrons in the reaction ^3He(e,e' n). The experiment took advantage of recent developments of the electron beam and target, as well as two detectors new to Jefferson Lab. The measurement used the accelerator's 100% duty-cycle high-polarization (typically 84%) electron beam and a new, hybrid optically-pumped polarized ^3He target which achieved polarizations above 50%. A medium acceptance (80msr) open-geometry magnetic spectrometer (BigBite) detected the scattered electron, while a new neutron detector was constructed to observe the released neutron. An overview of the experiment and the experimental motivation will be discussed, in particular the large range of predictions from modern calculations for GE^n at this relatively high Q^2. Finally, the analysis progress and preliminary results will be presented.

Hardware and Software Design of FPGA-based PCIe Gen3 interface for APEnet+ network interconnect system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ammendola, R.; Biagioni, A.; Frezza, O.; Lo Cicero, F.; Lonardo, A.; Martinelli, M.; Paolucci, P. S.; Pastorelli, E.; Rossetti, D.; Simula, F.; Tosoratto, L.; Vicini, P.

2015-12-01

In the attempt to develop an interconnection architecture optimized for hybrid HPC systems dedicated to scientific computing, we designed APEnet+, a point-to-point, low-latency and high-performance network controller supporting 6 fully bidirectional off-board links over a 3D torus topology. The first release of APEnet+ (named V4) was a board based on a 40 nm Altera FPGA, integrating 6 channels at 34 Gbps of raw bandwidth per direction and a PCIe Gen2 x8 host interface. It has been the first-of-its-kind device to implement an RDMA protocol to directly read/write data from/to Fermi and Kepler NVIDIA GPUs using NVIDIA peer-to-peer and GPUDirect RDMA protocols, obtaining real zero-copy GPU-to-GPU transfers over the network. The latest generation of APEnet+ systems (now named V5) implements a PCIe Gen3 x8 host interface on a 28 nm Altera Stratix V FPGA, with multi-standard fast transceivers (up to 14.4 Gbps) and an increased amount of configurable internal resources and hardware IP cores to support main interconnection standard protocols. Herein we present the APEnet+ V5 architecture, the status of its hardware and its system software design. Both its Linux Device Driver and the low-level libraries have been redeveloped to support the PCIe Gen3 protocol, introducing optimizations and solutions based on hardware/software co-design.

Effects of Maternal 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T and A1298C Polymorphisms and Tobacco Smoking on Infant Birth Weight in a Japanese Population

PubMed Central

Yila, Thamar Ayo; Sasaki, Seiko; Miyashita, Chihiro; Braimoh, Titilola Serifat; Kashino, Ikuko; Kobayashi, Sumitaka; Okada, Emiko; Baba, Toshiaki; Yoshioka, Eiji; Minakami, Hisanori; Endo, Toshiaki; Sengoku, Kazuo; Kishi, Reiko

2012-01-01

Background Intracellular folate hemostasis depends on the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Because 5,10-MTHFR 677TT homozygosity and tobacco smoking are associated with low folate status, we tested the hypothesis that smoking in mothers with 5,10-MTHFR C677T or A1298C polymorphisms would be independently associated with lower birth weight among their offspring. Methods We assessed 1784 native Japanese mother-child pairs drawn from the ongoing birth cohort of The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health. Data (demographic information, hospital birth records, and biological specimens) were extracted from recruitments that took place during the period from February 2003 to March 2006. Maternal serum folate were assayed by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and genotyping of 5,10-MTHFR C677T/A1298C polymorphisms was done using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Results The prevalence of folate deficiency (<6.8 nmol/L) was 0.3%. The 5,10-MTHFR 677CT genotype was independently associated with an increase of 36.40 g (95% CI: 2.60 to 70.30, P = 0.035) in mean infant birth weight and an increase of 90.70 g (95% CI: 6.00 to 175.50, P = 0.036) among male infants of nonsmokers. Female infants of 677TT homozygous passive smokers were 99.00 g (95% CI: −190.26 to −7.56, P = 0.034) lighter. The birth weight of the offspring of smokers with 5,10-MTHFR 1298AA homozygosity was lower by 107.00 g (95% CI: −180.00 to −33.90, P = 0.004). Conclusions The results suggest that, in this population, maternal 5,10-MTHFR C677T polymorphism, but not the 5,10-MTHFR A1298C variant, is independently associated with improvement in infant birth weight, especially among nonsmokers. However, 5,10-MTHFR 1298AA might be associated with folate impairment and could interact with tobacco smoke to further decrease birth weight. PMID:22277790

Internal combustion engine report: Spark ignited ICE GenSet optimization and novel concept development

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Keller, J.; Blarigan, P. Van

1998-08-01

In this manuscript the authors report on two projects each of which the goal is to produce cost effective hydrogen utilization technologies. These projects are: (1) the development of an electrical generation system using a conventional four-stroke spark-ignited internal combustion engine generator combination (SI-GenSet) optimized for maximum efficiency and minimum emissions, and (2) the development of a novel internal combustion engine concept. The SI-GenSet will be optimized to run on either hydrogen or hydrogen-blends. The novel concept seeks to develop an engine that optimizes the Otto cycle in a free piston configuration while minimizing all emissions. To this end themore » authors are developing a rapid combustion homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine using a linear alternator for both power take-off and engine control. Targeted applications include stationary electrical power generation, stationary shaft power generation, hybrid vehicles, and nearly any other application now being accomplished with internal combustion engines.« less

Evaluation of Delcath Systems' Generation 2 (GEN 2) melphalan hemofiltration system in a porcine model of percutaneous hepatic perfusion.

PubMed

Moeslein, Fred M; McAndrew, Elizabeth G; Appling, William M; Hryniewich, Nicole E; Jarvis, Kevin D; Markos, Steven M; Sheets, Timothy P; Uzgare, Rajneesh P; Johnston, Daniel S

2014-06-01

A new melphalan hemoperfusion filter (GEN 2) was evaluated in a simulated-use porcine model of percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP). The current study evaluated melphalan filtration efficiency, the transfilter pressure gradient, and the removal of specific blood products. A porcine PHP procedure using the GEN 2 filter was performed under Good Laboratory Practice conditions to model the 60-min clinical PHP procedure. The mean filter efficiency for removing melphalan in six filters was 99.0 ± 0.4 %. The transfilter pressure gradient across the filter averaged 20.9 mmHg for the 60-min procedure. Many blood components, including albumin and platelets, decreased on average from 3.55 to 2.02 g/dL and from 342 to 177 × 10.e3/μL, respectively, during the procedure. The increased melphalan extraction efficiency of the new filter is expected to decrease systemic melphalan exposure. In addition, the low transfilter pressure gradient resulted in low resistance to blood flow in the GEN 2 filter, and the changes to blood components are expected to be clinically manageable.

search GenBank: interactive orchestration and ad-hoc choreography of Web services in the exploration of the biomedical resources of the National Center For Biotechnology Information

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Due to the growing number of biomedical entries in data repositories of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), it is difficult to collect, manage and process all of these entries in one place by third-party software developers without significant investment in hardware and software infrastructure, its maintenance and administration. Web services allow development of software applications that integrate in one place the functionality and processing logic of distributed software components, without integrating the components themselves and without integrating the resources to which they have access. This is achieved by appropriate orchestration or choreography of available Web services and their shared functions. After the successful application of Web services in the business sector, this technology can now be used to build composite software tools that are oriented towards biomedical data processing. Results We have developed a new tool for efficient and dynamic data exploration in GenBank and other NCBI databases. A dedicated search GenBank system makes use of NCBI Web services and a package of Entrez Programming Utilities (eUtils) in order to provide extended searching capabilities in NCBI data repositories. In search GenBank users can use one of the three exploration paths: simple data searching based on the specified user’s query, advanced data searching based on the specified user’s query, and advanced data exploration with the use of macros. search GenBank orchestrates calls of particular tools available through the NCBI Web service providing requested functionality, while users interactively browse selected records in search GenBank and traverse between NCBI databases using available links. On the other hand, by building macros in the advanced data exploration mode, users create choreographies of eUtils calls, which can lead to the automatic discovery of related data in the specified databases. Conclusions search Gen

search GenBank: interactive orchestration and ad-hoc choreography of Web services in the exploration of the biomedical resources of the National Center For Biotechnology Information.

PubMed

Mrozek, Dariusz; Małysiak-Mrozek, Bożena; Siążnik, Artur

2013-03-01

Due to the growing number of biomedical entries in data repositories of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), it is difficult to collect, manage and process all of these entries in one place by third-party software developers without significant investment in hardware and software infrastructure, its maintenance and administration. Web services allow development of software applications that integrate in one place the functionality and processing logic of distributed software components, without integrating the components themselves and without integrating the resources to which they have access. This is achieved by appropriate orchestration or choreography of available Web services and their shared functions. After the successful application of Web services in the business sector, this technology can now be used to build composite software tools that are oriented towards biomedical data processing. We have developed a new tool for efficient and dynamic data exploration in GenBank and other NCBI databases. A dedicated search GenBank system makes use of NCBI Web services and a package of Entrez Programming Utilities (eUtils) in order to provide extended searching capabilities in NCBI data repositories. In search GenBank users can use one of the three exploration paths: simple data searching based on the specified user's query, advanced data searching based on the specified user's query, and advanced data exploration with the use of macros. search GenBank orchestrates calls of particular tools available through the NCBI Web service providing requested functionality, while users interactively browse selected records in search GenBank and traverse between NCBI databases using available links. On the other hand, by building macros in the advanced data exploration mode, users create choreographies of eUtils calls, which can lead to the automatic discovery of related data in the specified databases. search GenBank extends standard capabilities of the

Proposal of Ancylothrix gen. nov., a new genus of Phormidiaceae (Cyanobacteria, Oscillatoriales) based on a polyphasic approach.

PubMed

Martins, Mariellen Dornelles; Rigonato, Janaina; Taboga, Sebastião Roberto; Branco, Luis Henrique Zanini

2016-06-01

During a study about the diversity of Phormidioideae (Phormidiaceae, Oscillatoriales) in Brazil, seven strains from southern and southeastern regions were isolated in monospecifc cultures and submitted to polyphasic evaluation (morphological, ecological, cytological and molecular studies). The populations studied were found to be morphologically similar to Kamptonema (filaments narrowed and bent at the end) and cytologically different (thylakoids' arrangement - radial distribution in Brazilian strains and parietal distribution in Kamptonema). The original habitats were very diverse among the Brazilian strains (freshwater, wet soil and barks of trees). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains were placed together in a very distinctive and highly supported clade. Thus, the set of characteristics of the strains resulted in the recognition of the new genus Ancylothrix Martins et Branco gen. nov. with two species [Ancylothrix rivularis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type species) and Ancylothrix terrestris sp. nov.], distinguishable by differences in genetic and ecological characteristics and described under the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. Secondary structures of D1-D1', box-B and V3 regions were conserved in A. rivularis gen. nov. sp. nov. and more variable in A. terrestris sp. nov.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms: association with risk for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in north Indians.

PubMed

Sood, Swati; Das, Reena; Trehan, Amita; Ahluwalia, Jasmina; Sachdeva, Man Updesh; Varma, Neelam; Bansal, Deepak; Marwaha, Ram Kumar

2010-05-01

Genetic polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been associated with the development of acute leukemias and various malignancies. We conducted a case-control study in 95 north Indian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 255 controls, to investigate the role of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms as risk factors in the development of ALL. PCR-RFLP on genomic DNA was carried out to determine C677T and A1298C genotypes. The frequency of MTHFR C677T for the T allele was found to be 23.2% among patients and 18.2% among controls. The frequency of the C allele in MTHFR A1298C was 44.2% among cases and 48.2% in controls. Patients showed a higher frequency of heterozygosity for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism as compared to controls (40% vs 27.8%; OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.02-2.91, p = 0.02), and the A1298C polymorphism did not show any difference in genotype frequency between cases and controls. MTHFR 677CC/1298AC genotype frequencies showed a statistically significant difference between cases and controls (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-1.01, p = 0.04). In conclusion, our study in north Indian controls and patients with pediatric ALL showed increased frequency for MTHFR C677T in the heterozygous state and no significant difference in the frequency of A1298C genotype between the two groups.

GBParsy: a GenBank flatfile parser library with high speed.

PubMed

Lee, Tae-Ho; Kim, Yeon-Ki; Nahm, Baek Hie

2008-07-25

GenBank flatfile (GBF) format is one of the most popular sequence file formats because of its detailed sequence features and ease of readability. To use the data in the file by a computer, a parsing process is required and is performed according to a given grammar for the sequence and the description in a GBF. Currently, several parser libraries for the GBF have been developed. However, with the accumulation of DNA sequence information from eukaryotic chromosomes, parsing a eukaryotic genome sequence with these libraries inevitably takes a long time, due to the large GBF file and its correspondingly large genomic nucleotide sequence and related feature information. Thus, there is significant need to develop a parsing program with high speed and efficient use of system memory. We developed a library, GBParsy, which was C language-based and parses GBF files. The parsing speed was maximized by using content-specified functions in place of regular expressions that are flexible but slow. In addition, we optimized an algorithm related to memory usage so that it also increased parsing performance and efficiency of memory usage. GBParsy is at least 5-100x faster than current parsers in benchmark tests. GBParsy is estimated to extract annotated information from almost 100 Mb of a GenBank flatfile for chromosomal sequence information within a second. Thus, it should be used for a variety of applications such as on-time visualization of a genome at a web site.

Structural materials for Gen-IV nuclear reactors: Challenges and opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murty, K. L.; Charit, I.

2008-12-01

Generation-IV reactor design concepts envisioned thus far cater toward a common goal of providing safer, longer lasting, proliferation-resistant and economically viable nuclear power plants. The foremost consideration in the successful development and deployment of Gen-IV reactor systems is the performance and reliability issues involving structural materials for both in-core and out-of-core applications. The structural materials need to endure much higher temperatures, higher neutron doses and extremely corrosive environment, which are beyond the experience of the current nuclear power plants. Materials under active consideration for use in different reactor components include various ferritic/martensitic steels, austenitic stainless steels, nickel-base superalloys, ceramics, composites, etc. This paper presents a summary of various Gen-IV reactor concepts, with emphasis on the structural materials issues depending on the specific application areas. This paper also discusses the challenges involved in using the existing materials under both service and off-normal conditions. Tasks become increasingly complex due to the operation of various fundamental phenomena like radiation-induced segregation, radiation-enhanced diffusion, precipitation, interactions between impurity elements and radiation-produced defects, swelling, helium generation and so forth. Further, high temperature capability (e.g. creep properties) of these materials is a critical, performance-limiting factor. It is demonstrated that novel alloy and microstructural design approaches coupled with new materials processing and fabrication techniques may mitigate the challenges, and the optimum system performance may be achieved under much demanding conditions.

Accuracy evaluation of ClimGen weather generator and daily to hourly disaggregation methods in tropical conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safeeq, Mohammad; Fares, Ali

2011-12-01

Daily and sub-daily weather data are often required for hydrological and environmental modeling. Various weather generator programs have been used to generate synthetic climate data where observed climate data are limited. In this study, a weather data generator, ClimGen, was evaluated for generating information on daily precipitation, temperature, and wind speed at four tropical watersheds located in Hawai`i, USA. We also evaluated different daily to sub-daily weather data disaggregation methods for precipitation, air temperature, dew point temperature, and wind speed at Mākaha watershed. The hydrologic significance values of the different disaggregation methods were evaluated using Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model. MuDRain and diurnal method performed well over uniform distribution in disaggregating daily precipitation. However, the diurnal method is more consistent if accurate estimates of hourly precipitation intensities are desired. All of the air temperature disaggregation methods performed reasonably well, but goodness-of-fit statistics were slightly better for sine curve model with 2 h lag. Cosine model performed better than random model in disaggregating daily wind speed. The largest differences in annual water balance were related to wind speed followed by precipitation and dew point temperature. Simulated hourly streamflow, evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge were less sensitive to the method of disaggregating daily air temperature. ClimGen performed well in generating the minimum and maximum temperature and wind speed. However, for precipitation, it clearly underestimated the number of extreme rainfall events with an intensity of >100 mm/day in all four locations. ClimGen was unable to replicate the distribution of observed precipitation at three locations (Honolulu, Kahului, and Hilo). ClimGen was able to reproduce the distributions of observed minimum temperature at Kahului and wind speed at Kahului and Hilo. Although the weather

BioNetFit: a fitting tool compatible with BioNetGen, NFsim and distributed computing environments

PubMed Central

Thomas, Brandon R.; Chylek, Lily A.; Colvin, Joshua; Sirimulla, Suman; Clayton, Andrew H.A.; Hlavacek, William S.; Posner, Richard G.

2016-01-01

Summary: Rule-based models are analyzed with specialized simulators, such as those provided by the BioNetGen and NFsim open-source software packages. Here, we present BioNetFit, a general-purpose fitting tool that is compatible with BioNetGen and NFsim. BioNetFit is designed to take advantage of distributed computing resources. This feature facilitates fitting (i.e. optimization of parameter values for consistency with data) when simulations are computationally expensive. Availability and implementation: BioNetFit can be used on stand-alone Mac, Windows/Cygwin, and Linux platforms and on Linux-based clusters running SLURM, Torque/PBS, or SGE. The BioNetFit source code (Perl) is freely available (http://bionetfit.nau.edu). Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. Contact: bionetgen.help@gmail.com PMID:26556387

ORFer--retrieval of protein sequences and open reading frames from GenBank and storage into relational databases or text files.

PubMed

Büssow, Konrad; Hoffmann, Steve; Sievert, Volker

2002-12-19

Functional genomics involves the parallel experimentation with large sets of proteins. This requires management of large sets of open reading frames as a prerequisite of the cloning and recombinant expression of these proteins. A Java program was developed for retrieval of protein and nucleic acid sequences and annotations from NCBI GenBank, using the XML sequence format. Annotations retrieved by ORFer include sequence name, organism and also the completeness of the sequence. The program has a graphical user interface, although it can be used in a non-interactive mode. For protein sequences, the program also extracts the open reading frame sequence, if available, and checks its correct translation. ORFer accepts user input in the form of single or lists of GenBank GI identifiers or accession numbers. It can be used to extract complete sets of open reading frames and protein sequences from any kind of GenBank sequence entry, including complete genomes or chromosomes. Sequences are either stored with their features in a relational database or can be exported as text files in Fasta or tabulator delimited format. The ORFer program is freely available at http://www.proteinstrukturfabrik.de/orfer. The ORFer program allows for fast retrieval of DNA sequences, protein sequences and their open reading frames and sequence annotations from GenBank. Furthermore, storage of sequences and features in a relational database is supported. Such a database can supplement a laboratory information system (LIMS) with appropriate sequence information.

C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is associated with primary closed angle glaucoma

PubMed Central

Michael, Shazia; Qamar, Raheel; Akhtar, Farah; Khan, Wajid Ali

2008-01-01

Purpose To determine whether or not there is an association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism with disease in cohorts of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed-angle glaucoma (PCAG) from Pakistan. Methods This was a prospective study consisting of 150 patients (90 POAG and 60 PCAG) and 70 control subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of the peripheral blood. MTHFR C677T polymorphism analysis was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Results The prevalence of the MTHFR C/T genotype was 22.2% in POAG, 13.3% in PACG, and 18.6% in controls whereas the MTHFR T/T genotype was present solely in the PACG group (6.9%). The difference regarding the T/T genotype between PACG and controls was statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusions The MTHFR C677T polymorphism was found to be associated with PCAG but not POAG in patients of Pakistani origin. PMID:18385801

Plasma homocysteine and vitamin B12 serum levels, red blood cell folate concentrations, C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation and risk of recurrent miscarriage: a case-control study in Spain.

PubMed

Creus, Montserrat; Deulofeu, Ramon; Peñarrubia, Joana; Carmona, Francisco; Balasch, Juan

2013-03-01

Hyperhomocysteinemia and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation have been postulated as a possible cause of recurrent miscarriage (RM). There is a wide variation in the prevalence of MTHFR polymorphisms and homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels among populations around the world. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible association between hyperhomocysteinemia and its causative genetic or acquired factors and RM in Catalonia, a Mediterranean region in Spain. Sixty consecutive patients with ≥ 3 unexplained RM and 30 healthy control women having at least one child but no previous miscarriage were included. Plasma Hcy levels, MTHFR gene mutation, red blood cell (RBC) folate and vitamin B12 serum levels were measured in all subjects. No significant differences were observed neither in plasma Hcy levels, RBC folate and vitamin B12 serum levels nor in the prevalence of homozygous and heterozygous MTHFR gene mutation between the two groups studied. In the present study RM is not associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, and/or the MTHFR gene mutation.

An outlook on the fungal internal transcribed spacer sequences in GenBank and the introduction of a web-based tool for the exploration of fungal diversity.

PubMed

Ryberg, Martin; Kristiansson, Erik; Sjökvist, Elisabet; Nilsson, R Henrik

2009-01-01

The environmental and distributional data associated with fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in GenBank are investigated and a new web-based tool with which these sequences can be explored is introduced. All fungal ITS sequences in GenBank were classified as either identified to species level or insufficiently identified and compared using BLAST. The results are made available as a biweekly updated web service that can be queried to retrieve all insufficiently identified sequences (IIS) associated with any fungal genus. The most commonly available annotation items in GenBank are isolation source (55%); country of origin (50%); and specific host (38%). The molecular sampling of fungi shows a bias towards North America, Europe, China, and Japan whereas vast geographical areas remain effectively unexplored. Mycorrhizal and parasitic genera are on average associated with more IIS than are saprophytic taxa. Glomus, Alternaria, and Tomentella are the genera represented by the highest number of insufficiently identified ITS sequences in GenBank. The web service presented (http://andromeda.botany.gu.se/emerencia.html#genus_search) offers new means, particularly for mycorrhizal and plant pathogenic fungi, to examine the IIS in GenBank in a taxon-oriented framework and to explore their metadata in an easily accessible and time-efficient manner.

77 FR 7123 - ArborGen, LLC; Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Controlled Release of a...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-10

... Eucalyptus. ArborGen is requesting that trees be allowed to flower at four locations in Alabama, Florida and... have indicated they will not allow these trees to flower at these locations. Permit application 11-052...

Are the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1298 and 677 gene polymorphisms related to optic glioma and hamartoma risk in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients?

PubMed

Tanyıldız, Hikmet Gülşah; Yeşil, Şule; Bozkurt, Ceyhun; Çandır, Mehmet Onur; Akpınar-Tekgündüz, Sibel; Toprak, Şule; Yüksel, Deniz; Şahin, Gürses

2016-01-01

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene plays a key role in carcinogenesis through its effects on DNA synthesis and methylation and also has a significant role in the etiology of many disorders, such as diabetes, migraine, and cardiovascular disease. Neurofibromatoses (NF) are autosomal dominant inherited diseases that can affect tissues such as bone and skin and predispose individuals to tumor development in various parts of the nervous system or body. Optic nerve glioma and brain tumors are common in children with NF, and leukemia and lymphoma incidence is also higher than normal. We therefore aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the MTHFR gene polymorphism and accompanying tumors such as neurofibroma, hamartoma, and optic glioma in children with NF1 found to have the MTHFR 677 and MTHFR 1298 gene polymorphism in this study. We included 55 pediatric patients diagnosed with NF1 between 2005 and 2014 in the study group. The control group included 44 healthy subjects without acute or chronic disease findings. A significant relationship was found between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and the incidence of optic glioma (p=0.014) (AA vs. AC: OR 11, 95% CI 1.27-95.17; AA vs. CC: OR 7.33, 95% CI 0.35-150.70). We also found a significant relationship between the MTHFR C1298C polymorphism and the incidence of hamartoma (p=0.019) (AA vs. AC: OR 2.12, 95% CI 0.662-6.809; p=0.203). Epilepsy incidence was high in subjects with MTHFR C677C. The MTHFR A1298C, C1298C, and C677C gene polymorphisms can be associated with a higher optic glioma, hamartoma, and epilepsy incidence, respectively, in patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1.

The association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes with the risk of childhood leukemia in Taiwan.

PubMed

Pei, Jen-Sheng; Hsu, Chin-Mu; Tsai, Chia-Wen; Chang, Wen-Shin; Ji, Hong-Xue; Hsiao, Chieh-Lun; Miao, Chia-En; Hsu, Yuan-Nian; Bau, Da-Tian

2015-01-01

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent type of pediatric cancer, the causes of which are likely to involve an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. To evaluate the effects of the genotypic polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) on childhood ALL risk in Taiwan, two well-known polymorphic genotypes of MTHFR, C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131), were analyzed to examine the extent of their associations with childhood ALL susceptibility and to discuss the MTHFR genotypic contribution to childhood ALL risk among different populations. In total, 266 patients with childhood ALL and an equal number of non-cancer controls recruited were genotyped utilizing PCR-RFLP methodology. The MTHFR C677T genotype, but not the A1298C, was differently distributed between childhood ALL and control groups. The CT and TT of MTHFR C677T genotypes were significantly more frequently found in controls than in childhood ALL patients (odds ratios=0.60 and 0.48, 95% confidence intervals=0.42-0.87 and 0.24-0.97, respectively). As for gender, the boys carrying the MTHFR C677T CT or TT genotype conferred a lower odds ratio of 0.51 (95% confidence interval=0.32-0.81, P=0.0113) for childhood ALL. As for age, those equal to or greater than 3.5 years of age at onset of disease carrying the MTHFR C677T CT or TT genotype were of lower risk (odds ratio= 0.43 and 95% confidence interval=0.26-0.71, P=0.0016). Our results indicated that the MTHFR C677T T allele was a protective biomarker for childhood ALL in Taiwan, and the association was more significant in male patients and in patients 3.5 years of age or older at onset of disease.

Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Wu, Yi-Le; Yang, Hui-Yun; Ding, Xiu-Xiu; Zhao, Xue; Chen, Jian; Bi, Peng; Sun, Ye-Huan

2014-06-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism has been implicated as a potential risk factor for epilepsy. To date, many case-control studies have investigated the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility. However, those findings were inconsistent. The objective of this study is to evaluate the precise association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy. An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE for papers on the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility was performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association. Ten case-control studies containing 1713 cases and 1867 controls regarding MTHFR C677T polymorphism were selected. A significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility was revealed in this meta-analysis (for T vs. C: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.08-1.32; for TT+CT vs. CC: OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.05-1.38; for TT vs. CC: OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.20-1.83; for TT vs. CT+CC: OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.12-1.64). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the results also indicated the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility within the Asian populations (for T vs. C: OR=1.55, 95% CI=1.15-2.07; for TT+CT vs. CC: OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.08-2.59; for TT vs. CC: OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.30-4.20; for TT vs. CT+CC: OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.12-3.18). The results indicated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of epilepsy. However, further studies in various regions are needed to confirm the findings from this meta-analysis. Copyright © 2014 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimal quality (131)I-monoclonal antibodies on high-dose labeling in a large reaction volume and temporarily coating the antibody with IODO-GEN.

PubMed

Visser, G W; Klok, R P; Gebbinck, J W; ter Linden, T; van Dongen, G A; Molthoff, C F

2001-03-01

A novel, facile procedure for efficient coupling of high doses of (131)I to monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was developed with minimal chemical and radiation damage. To diminish the radiation and chemical burden during labeling, iodination was performed in a large reaction volume and by temporarily coating the MAb with a minimal amount of IODO-GEN. The MAb was coated by injection of IODO-GEN (dissolved in acetonitrile [MeCN]) into the aqueous MAb solution, and the coating was subsequently removed by addition of ascorbic acid. For chemoprotection before, during, and after PD-10 purification of the (131)I-MAbs, ascorbic acid and human serum albumin were used. The effects of autoradiolysis in the starting (131)I solution were countered by treatment with NaOH and ascorbic acid. For this so-called IODO-GEN-coated MAb method, the sensitive chimeric MAb MOv18 (c-MOv18) and the more robust murine MAbs K928 and E48 were used. The high-dose (131)I-labeled MAbs were characterized for radiochemical purity and MAb integrity by thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by phosphor imager quantification. The high-dose (131)I-labeled MAbs were also characterized for immunoreactivity. The radiopharmacokinetics and biodistribution of (131)I-c-MOv18 were analyzed in human tumor-bearing nude mice. For comparison, (131)I-c-MOv18 batches were made using the conventional chloramine-T or IODO-GEN-coated vial method. Conventional high-dose labeling of 5 mg c-MOv18 with 4.4 GBq (131)I resulted in a labeling yield of 60%, a radiochemical purity of 90%, an immunoreactive fraction of 25% (72% being the maximum in the assay used), and the presence of aggregation and degradation products. Using similar amounts of (131)I and MAb in the IODO-GEN-coated MAb method, 85%-89% overall radiochemical yield, at least 99.7% radiochemical purity, and full preservation of MAb integrity and immunoreactivity were

Role of genetic mutations in folate-related enzyme genes on Male Infertility

PubMed Central

Liu, Kang; Zhao, Ruizhe; Shen, Min; Ye, Jiaxin; Li, Xiao; Huang, Yuan; Hua, Lixin; Wang, Zengjun; Li, Jie

2015-01-01

Several studies showed that the genetic mutations in the folate-related enzyme genes might be associated with male infertility; however, the results were still inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis to investigate the associations between the MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, MTRR A66G mutations and the MTHFR haplotype with the risk of male infertility. Overall, a total of 37 studies were selected. Our meta-analysis showed that the MTHFR C677T mutation was a risk factor for male infertility in both azoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia patients, especially in Asian population. Men carrying the MTHFR TC haplotype were most liable to suffer infertility while those with CC haplotype had lowest risk. On the other hand, the MTHFR A1298C mutation was not related to male infertility. MTR A2756G and MTRR A66G were potential candidates in the pathogenesis of male infertility, but more case-control studies were required to avoid false-positive outcomes. All of these results were confirmed by the trial sequential analysis. Finally, our meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis proved that the genetic mutations in the folate-related enzyme genes played a significant role in male infertility. PMID:26549413

Enhancing the usability and performance of structured association mapping algorithms using automation, parallelization, and visualization in the GenAMap software system

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Structured association mapping is proving to be a powerful strategy to find genetic polymorphisms associated with disease. However, these algorithms are often distributed as command line implementations that require expertise and effort to customize and put into practice. Because of the difficulty required to use these cutting-edge techniques, geneticists often revert to simpler, less powerful methods. Results To make structured association mapping more accessible to geneticists, we have developed an automatic processing system called Auto-SAM. Auto-SAM enables geneticists to run structured association mapping algorithms automatically, using parallelization. Auto-SAM includes algorithms to discover gene-networks and find population structure. Auto-SAM can also run popular association mapping algorithms, in addition to five structured association mapping algorithms. Conclusions Auto-SAM is available through GenAMap, a front-end desktop visualization tool. GenAMap and Auto-SAM are implemented in JAVA; binaries for GenAMap can be downloaded from http://sailing.cs.cmu.edu/genamap. PMID:22471660

Sexual Inactivity During Young Adulthood Is More Common Among U.S. Millennials and iGen: Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Having No Sexual Partners After Age 18.

PubMed

Twenge, Jean M; Sherman, Ryne A; Wells, Brooke E

2017-02-01

Examining age, time period, and cohort/generational changes in sexual experience is key to better understanding sociocultural influences on sexuality and relationships. Americans born in the 1980s and 1990s (commonly known as Millennials and iGen) were more likely to report having no sexual partners as adults compared to GenX'ers born in the 1960s and 1970s in the General Social Survey, a nationally representative sample of American adults (N = 26,707). Among those aged 20-24, more than twice as many Millennials born in the 1990s (15 %) had no sexual partners since age 18 compared to GenX'ers born in the 1960s (6 %). Higher rates of sexual inactivity among Millennials and iGen also appeared in analyses using a generalized hierarchical linear modeling technique known as age-period-cohort analysis to control for age and time period effects among adults of all ages. Americans born early in the 20th century also showed elevated rates of adult sexual inactivity. The shift toward higher rates of sexual inactivity among Millennials and iGen'ers was more pronounced among women and absent among Black Americans and those with a college education. Contrary to popular media conceptions of a "hookup generation" more likely to engage in frequent casual sex, a higher percentage of Americans in recent cohorts, particularly Millennials and iGen'ers born in the 1990s, had no sexual partners after age 18.

UV-associated decline in systemic folate: implications for human nutrigenetics, health, and evolutionary processes.

PubMed

Lucock, Mark; Beckett, Emma; Martin, Charlotte; Jones, Patrice; Furst, John; Yates, Zoe; Jablonski, Nina G; Chaplin, George; Veysey, Martin

2017-03-01

The purpose of this study was to examine whether UV exposure alters folate status according to C677T-MTHFR genotype, and to consider the relevance of this to human health and the evolutionary model of skin pigmentation. Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite data were used to examine surface UV-irradiance, as a marker of UV exposure, in a large (n = 649) Australian cross-sectional study population. PCR/RFLP analysis was used to genotype C677T-MTHFR. Overall, cumulative UV-irradiance (42 and 120 days pre-clinic) was significantly negatively related to red cell folate (RCF) levels. When the cohort was stratified by MTHFR-C677T genotype, the relationship between UV-irradiance (42 days pre-clinic) and RCF remained significant only in the cohorts containing carriers of the T allele. Statistically significant z-score statistics and interaction terms from genotype and UV-irradiance (p-interaction) demonstrated that genotype did modify the effect of UV-irradiance on RCF, with the largest effect of UV being demonstrated in the 677TT-MTHFR subjects. Data provide strong evidence that surface UV-irradiance reduces long-term systemic folate levels, and that this is influenced by the C677T-MTHFR gene variant. We speculate this effect may be due to 677TT-MTHFR individuals containing more 5,10CH 2 -H 4 PteGlu, and that this folate form may be particularly UV labile. Since UV-irradiance lowers RCF in an MTHFR genotype-specific way, there are likely implications for human health and the evolution of skin pigmentation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Increased homocysteine levels impair reference memory and reduce cortical levels of acetylcholine in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Dam, Kevin; Füchtemeier, Martina; Farr, Tracy D; Boehm-Sturm, Philipp; Foddis, Marco; Dirnagl, Ulrich; Malysheva, Olga; Caudill, Marie A; Jadavji, Nafisa M

2017-03-15

Folates are B-vitamins that are vital for normal brain function. Deficiencies in folates either genetic (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, MTHFR) or dietary intake of folic acid result in elevated levels of homocysteine. Clinical studies have shown that elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) may be associated with the development of dementia, however this link remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of increased Hcy levels on a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) produced by chronic hypoperfusion. Male and female Mthfr +/+ and Mthfr +/- mice were placed on either control (CD) or folic acid deficient (FADD) diets after which all animals underwent microcoil implantation around each common carotid artery or a sham procedure. Post-operatively animals were tested on the Morris water maze (MWM), y-maze, and rotarod. Animals had no motor impairments on the rotarod, y-maze, and could learn the location of the platform on the MWM. However, on day 8 of testing of MWM testing during the probe trial, Mthfr +/- FADD microcoil mice spent significantly less time in the target quadrant when compared to Mthfr +/- CD sham mice, suggesting impaired reference memory. All FADD mice had elevated levels of plasma homocysteine. MRI analysis revealed arterial remodeling was present in Mthfr +/- microcoil mice not Mthfr +/+ mice. Acetylcholine and related metabolites were reduced in cortical tissue because of microcoil implantation and elevated levels of homocysteine. Deficiencies in folate metabolism resulting in increased Hcy levels yield a metabolic profile that increases susceptibility to neurodegeneration in a mouse model of VCI. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A rapid UPLC method for simultaneous determination of eleven components in ‘Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian’ decoction

PubMed Central

An, Rui; You, Lisha; Zhang, Yizhu; Wang, Xinhong; Ma, Yuemin

2014-01-01

Background: ‘Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian’ Decoction derived from ‘Shang-Han-Lun’ compiled by Zhang Zhongjing. It is widely used in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, bacillary dysentery, virus diarrhea. This paper describes a sensitive and specific assay for the determination of the 11-marker compounds using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Objective: To develop an UPLC method for simultaneous determination of 11 bioactive compounds in ‘Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian’ preparations. Materials and Methods: The chromatography analysis was performed on an Agilent Proshell 120 EC-C18 column (4.6 × 50 mm, 2.7 μm) at 30°C with a gradient elution of methanol, 0.5% formic acid and 0.5% ammonium acetate at a flow rate 1.0 ml/min and UV detected at 270 nm. Results: All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r ≥ 0.9993) within tested ranges. Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) fell in the range between 0.0691-1.04 μg/ml and 0.23–3.43 μg/ml, respectively. The mean recovery of each herbal medicine ranged from 96.60 to 102.11%. Conclusion: The method was validated for repeatability, precision, stability, accuracy, and selectivity. The validated method was successfully applied to simultaneous analysis of these active components in ‘Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian’ decoction. PMID:25422547

DEL phenotype.

PubMed

Kwon, Dong H; Sandler, S G; Flegel, Willy A

2017-09-01

DEL red blood cells (RBCs) type as D- by routine serologic methods and are transfused routinely, without being identified as expressing a very weak D antigen, to D- recipients. DEL RBCs are detected only by adsorption and elution of anti-D or by molecular methods. Most DEL phenotypes have been reported in population studies conducted in East Asia, although DEL phenotypes have been detected also among Caucasian individuals. Approximately 98 percent of DEL phenotypes in East Asians are associated with the RHD*DEL1 or RHD*01EL.01 allele. The prevalence of DEL phenotypes has been reported among D- Han Chinese (30%), Japanese (28%), and Korean (17%) populations. The prevalence of DEL phenotypes is significantly lower among D- Caucasian populations (0.1%). Among the 3-5 percent of African individuals who are D-, there are no reports of the DEL phenotype. Case reports from East Asia indicate that transfusion of DEL RBCs to D- recipients has been associated with D alloimmunization. East Asian immigrants constitute 2.1 percent of the 318.9 million persons residing in the United States, and an estimated 2.8 percent are blood donors. Using these statistics, we estimate that 68-683 units of DEL RBCs from donors of East Asian ancestry are transfused as D- annually in the United States. Given the reports from East Asia of D alloimmunization attributed to transfusion of DEL RBCs, one would expect an occasional report of D alloimmunization in the United States following transfusion of DEL RBCs to a D- recipient. If such cases do occur, the most likely reason that they are not detected is the absence of active post-transfusion monitoring for formation of anti-D.

New data on two remarkable Antarctic species Amblydorylaimus isokaryon (Loof, 1975) Andrássy, 1998 and Pararhyssocolpus paradoxus (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. (Nematoda, Dorylaimida)

PubMed Central

Elshishka, Milka; Lazarova, Stela; Radoslavov, Georgi; Hristov, Petar; Peneva, Vlada K.

2015-01-01

Abstract The taxonomic position of two antarctic dorylaimid species Amblydorylaimus isokaryon (Loof, 1975) Andrássy, 1998 and Pararhyssocolpus paradoxus (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. are discussed on the basis of morphological, including SEM study, morphometric, postembryonic and sequence data of 18S rDNA and the D2-D3 expansion fragments of large subunit rDNA. The evolutionary trees inferred from 18S sequences show insufficient resolution to determine the assignment of the two species to particular families, moreover Pararhyssocolpus paradoxus gen. n., comb. n. (=Rhyssocolpus paradoxus) previously regarded as a member of Nordiidae or Qudsianematidae, showed distant relationship both to Rhyssocolpus vinciguerrae and Eudorylaimus spp. The phylogram inferred from 28S sequences revealed that Amblydorylaimus isokaryon is a member of a well-supported group comprised of several Aporcelaimellus spp., while, no close relationships could be revealed for the Pararhyssocolpus paradoxus gen. n., comb. n. to any nematode genus. On the basis of molecular data and morphological characteristics, some taxonomic changes are proposed. Amblydorylaimus isokaryon is transferred from family Qudsianematidae to family Aporcelaimidae, and a new monotypic genus Pararhyssocolpus gen. n. is proposed, attributed to Pararhyssocolpidae fam. n. The diagnosis of the new family is provided together with emended diagnosis of the genera Amblydorylaimus and Pararhyssocolpus gen. n. Data concerning distribution of these endemic genera in the Antarctic region are also given. PMID:26257550

2nd Gen FeCrAl ODS Alloy Development For Accident-Tolerant Fuel Cladding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dryepondt, Sebastien N.; Massey, Caleb P.; Edmondson, Philip D.

Extensive research at ORNL aims at developing advanced low-Cr high strength FeCrAl alloys for accident tolerant fuel cladding. One task focuses on the fabrication of new low Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) FeCrAl alloys. The first Fe-12Cr-5Al+Y 2O 3 (+ ZrO 2 or TiO 2) ODS alloys exhibited excellent tensile strength up to 800 C and good oxidation resistance in steam up to 1400 C, but very limited plastic deformation at temperature ranging from room to 800 C. To improve alloy ductility, several fabrication parameters were considered. New Fe-10-12Cr-6Al gas-atomized powders containing 0.15 to 0.5wt% Zr were procured and ballmore » milled for 10h, 20h or 40h with Y2O3. The resulting powder was then extruded at temperature ranging from 900 to 1050 C. Decreasing the ball milling time or increasing the extrusion temperature changed the alloy grain size leading to lower strength but enhanced ductility. Small variations of the Cr, Zr, O and N content did not seem to significantly impact the alloy tensile properties, and, overall, the 2nd gen ODS FeCrAl alloys showed significantly better ductility than the 1st gen alloys. Tube fabrication needed for fuel cladding will require cold or warm working associated with softening heat treatments, work was therefore initiated to assess the effect of these fabrications steps on the alloy microstructure and properties. This report has been submitted as fulfillment of milestone M3FT 16OR020202091 titled, Report on 2nd Gen FeCrAl ODS Alloy Development for the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy, Advanced Fuel Campaign of the Fuel Cycle R&D program.« less

Association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Serbian children.

PubMed

Damnjanovic, Tatjana; Milicevic, Radomir; Novkovic, Tanja; Jovicic, Olivera; Bunjevacki, Vera; Jekic, Biljana; Lukovic, Ljiljana; Novakovic, Ivana; Redzic, Danka; Milasin, Jelena

2010-05-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) regulates the metabolism of folate and methionine, essential components of DNA synthesis and methylation. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene have been associated with susceptibility to some types of cancer. We investigated a possible association of MTHFR polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) and increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 78 affected children. The frequencies of both MTHFR 677 genotypes and alleles were significantly different between patients and controls. A significant association between CT/TT individuals and reduced risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia was found. The odds ratios were 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 032-0.89) and 0.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.81). Polymorphism 1298 did not show statistical difference between patients and controls.

Evaluation of Factor V G1691A, prothrombin G20210A, Factor XIII V34L, MTHFR A1298C, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G genotype frequencies of patients subjected to cardiovascular disease (CVD) panel in south-east region of Turkey.

PubMed

Oztuzcu, Serdar; Ergun, Sercan; Ulaşlı, Mustafa; Nacarkahya, Gülper; Iğci, Yusuf Ziya; Iğci, Mehri; Bayraktar, Recep; Tamer, Ali; Çakmak, Ecir Ali; Arslan, Ahmet

2014-06-01

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia or diabetes mellitus, as well as CVDs, including myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease or stroke, are the most prevalent diseases and account for the major causes of death worldwide. In the present study, 4,709 unrelated patients subjected to CVD panel in south-east part of Turkey between the years 2010 and 2013 were enrolled and DNA was isolated from the blood samples of these patients. Mutation analyses were conducted using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method to screen six common mutations (Factor V G1691A, PT G20210A, Factor XIII V34L, MTHFR A1298C and C677T and PAI-1 -675 4G/5G) found in CVD panel. The prevalence of these mutations were 0.57, 0.25, 2.61, 13.78, 9.34 and 24.27 % in homozygous form, respectively. Similarly, the mutation percent of them in heterozygous form were 7.43, 3.44, 24.91, 44.94, 41.09 and 45.66%, respectively. No mutation was detected in 92 (1.95%) patients in total. Because of the fact that this is the first study to screen six common mutations in CVD panel in south-east region of Turkey, it has a considerable value on the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Upon the results of the present and previous studied a careful examination for these genetic variants should be carried out in thrombophilia screening programs, particularly in Turkish population.

When Opportunity Only Knocks Once: Lessons From Gen Petraeus In Iraq And Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

Afghanistan because of the unfavorable contextual elements including the lack of both popular and political support at home and abroad, the tribal...decades-long, war ravaged land in Afghanistan. Different contextual environments and battlefield elements can stymie a war effort of an otherwise...37th Commandant of the U.S.M.C. GEN David Petraeus’ counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts failed in Afghanistan because of the unfavorable contextual

Balancing Formative and Summative Science Assessment Practices: Year One of the GenScope Assessment Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hickey, Daniel T.; Kruger, Ann Cale; Fredrick, Laura D.; Schafer, Nancy Jo; Kindfield, Ann C. H.

This paper describes the GenScope Assessment Project, a project that is exploring ways of using multimedia computers to teach complex science content, refining sociocultural views of assessment and motivation, and considering different ways of reconciling the differences between these newer views and prior behavioral and cognitive views. The…

Enhanced Vision for All-Weather Operations Under NextGen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, Randall E.; Kramer, Lynda J.; Williams, Steven P.; Bailey, Randall E.; Kramer, Lynda J.; Williams, Steven P.

2010-01-01

Recent research in Synthetic/Enhanced Vision technology is analyzed with respect to existing Category II/III performance and certification guidance. The goal is to start the development of performance-based vision systems technology requirements to support future all-weather operations and the NextGen goal of Equivalent Visual Operations. This work shows that existing criteria to operate in Category III weather and visibility are not directly applicable since, unlike today, the primary reference for maneuvering the airplane is based on what the pilot sees visually through the "vision system." New criteria are consequently needed. Several possible criteria are discussed, but more importantly, the factors associated with landing system performance using automatic and manual landings are delineated.

Enhanced Flight Vision Systems and Synthetic Vision Systems for NextGen Approach and Landing Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kramer, Lynda J.; Bailey, Randall E.; Ellis, Kyle K. E.; Williams, Steven P.; Arthur, Jarvis J., III; Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Shelton, Kevin J.

2013-01-01

Synthetic Vision Systems and Enhanced Flight Vision System (SVS/EFVS) technologies have the potential to provide additional margins of safety for aircrew performance and enable operational improvements for low visibility operations in the terminal area environment with equivalent efficiency as visual operations. To meet this potential, research is needed for effective technology development and implementation of regulatory standards and design guidance to support introduction and use of SVS/EFVS advanced cockpit vision technologies in Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) operations. A fixed-base pilot-in-the-loop simulation test was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center that evaluated the use of SVS/EFVS in NextGen low visibility approach and landing operations. Twelve crews flew approach and landing operations in a simulated NextGen Chicago O'Hare environment. Various scenarios tested the potential for using EFVS to conduct approach, landing, and roll-out operations in visibility as low as 1000 feet runway visual range (RVR). Also, SVS was tested to evaluate the potential for lowering decision heights (DH) on certain instrument approach procedures below what can be flown today. Expanding the portion of the visual segment in which EFVS can be used in lieu of natural vision from 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation to touchdown and rollout in visibilities as low as 1000 feet RVR appears to be viable as touchdown performance was acceptable without any apparent workload penalties. A lower DH of 150 feet and/or possibly reduced visibility minima using SVS appears to be viable when implemented on a Head-Up Display, but the landing data suggests further study for head-down implementations.

Spinal cord infarction in carriers of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase-polymorphism-like unique risk factor: report of two cases.

PubMed

Tejero-Fernández, V; Fernández-Rodríguez, I; Membrilla-Mesa, M D; Arroyo-Morales, M

2014-11-01

A case report. To present two cases of spinal cord infarction (SCI) in carriers of the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Section for Rehabilitation and Traumatology, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain. Two cases are presented, one with SCI at the C7 level American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A and one at the C5 level (ASIA A). One patient presented an acute onset of tetraplegia and the other a centromedular syndrome. In both cases the patients were carriers of the MTHFR polymorphism, which is a unique risk factor. Increased blood levels of homocysteine related to mutation of the MTHFR gene increase the risk of a thrombotic episode, triggering the development of SCI. These two cases increase the limited number reported in the recent literature regarding MTHFR polymorphism carriers suffering from thrombotic SCI. MTHFR mutation can be considered a risk factor for thrombotic SCI, but it is not the sole risk factor. We propose that a consensus regarding the inclusion of anticoagulation treatment after confirmation of the diagnosis in these patients is needed.

78 FR 56263 - HydroGen Corp., QueryObject Systems Corp., Security Intelligence Technologies, Inc., Skins, Inc...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-12

... SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [File No. 500-1] HydroGen Corp., QueryObject Systems Corp., Security Intelligence Technologies, Inc., Skins, Inc., SLM Holdings, Inc., Spring Creek Healthcare Systems... securities of Security Intelligence Technologies, Inc. because it has not filed any periodic reports since...

BioNetFit: a fitting tool compatible with BioNetGen, NFsim and distributed computing environments.

PubMed

Thomas, Brandon R; Chylek, Lily A; Colvin, Joshua; Sirimulla, Suman; Clayton, Andrew H A; Hlavacek, William S; Posner, Richard G

2016-03-01

Rule-based models are analyzed with specialized simulators, such as those provided by the BioNetGen and NFsim open-source software packages. Here, we present BioNetFit, a general-purpose fitting tool that is compatible with BioNetGen and NFsim. BioNetFit is designed to take advantage of distributed computing resources. This feature facilitates fitting (i.e. optimization of parameter values for consistency with data) when simulations are computationally expensive. BioNetFit can be used on stand-alone Mac, Windows/Cygwin, and Linux platforms and on Linux-based clusters running SLURM, Torque/PBS, or SGE. The BioNetFit source code (Perl) is freely available (http://bionetfit.nau.edu). Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. bionetgen.help@gmail.com. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism in Korean patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Kim, Nam Keun; Chong, So Young; Jang, Moon Ju; Hong, Seung Ho; Kim, Heung Sik; Cho, Eun Kyung; Lee, Jung Ae; Ahn, Myung Ju; Kim, Chul Soo; Oh, Doyeun

2006-01-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase plays a central role in converting folate to methyl donor for DNA methylation. Recently, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) mutations were discovered to be associated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as colon cancer, lymphoma, esophageal and stomach cancer. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the MTHFR polymorphisms are associated with the risk of childhood ALL in the Korean population. DNA samples taken from 66 patients with ALL and 100 age-matched controls were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay for detection of MTHFR C677T and A1298C mutations. The frequency of the AC genotype for MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was significantly different between the controls and the cases (OR, 2.22; CI, 95% 1.09-4.51, p=0.03). The 1298AC+CC genotype was also significantly different (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.06-4.22; p=0.049). There was, however, no significant difference for MTHFR C677T polymorphism and combined genotype frequencies between the two groups. Although no consistent results on associations between MTHFR A 1298C polymorphism and ALL in the populations studied were obtained, the A1298C polymorphism, at least in Koreans, may be a genetic determinant among childhood ALL patients.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms, serum methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase levels, and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a Chinese population.

PubMed

Tong, Na; Fang, Yongjun; Li, Jie; Wang, Meilin; Lu, Qin; Wang, Shizhi; Tian, Yuanyuan; Rong, Liucheng; Sun, Jielin; Xu, Jianfeng; Zhang, Zhengdong

2010-03-01

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), involved in DNA methylation and nucleotide synthesis, is thought to be associated with a decreased risk of adult and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Accumulating evidence has indicated that two common genetic variants, C677T and A1298C, are associated with cancer risk. We hypothesized that these two variants were associated with childhood ALL susceptibility and influence serum MTHFR levels. We genotyped these two polymorphisms and detected MTHFR levels in a case-control study of 361 cases and 508 controls. Compared with the 677CC and 677CC/CT genotypes, the 677TT genotype was associated with a statistically significantly decreased risk of childhood ALL (odds ratio = 0.53, 95% confidence interval = 0.32-0.88, and odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval = 0.35-0.88, respectively). In addition, a pronounced reduced risk of ALL was observed among low-risk ALL and B-phenotype ALL. Moreover, the mean serum MTHFR level was 8.01 ng/mL (+/-4.38) in cases and 9.27 ng/mL (+/-4.80) in controls (P < 0.001). MTHFR levels in subjects with 677TT genotype was significantly higher than those with 677CC genotype (P = 0.010) or 677CT genotype (P = 0.043) in controls. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that the MTHFR polymorphisms might contribute to reduced childhood ALL risk in this population.

Polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase, dietary folate intake, and the risk of leukemia in adults.

PubMed

Liu, Ping; Zhang, Min; Xie, Xing; Jin, Jie; Holman, C D'Arcy J

2016-03-01

The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) are critical enzymes in folate metabolism. Previous studies have reported conflicting results on the associations between MTHFR/TS polymorphisms and adult leukemia risk, which may due to the lack of information on folate intake. We investigated the risks of adult leukemia with genetic polymorphisms of folate metabolic enzymes (MTHFR C677T, A1298C, and TS) and evaluated if the associations varied by dietary folate intake from a multicenter case-control study conducted in Chinese. This study comprised 442 incident adult leukemia cases and 442 outpatient controls, individually matched to cases by gender, birth quinquennium, and study site. Genotypes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Dietary folate intake was assessed by face-to-face interviews using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. The MTHFR 677TT genotype conferred a significant higher risk of leukemia in males than in females and exhibited an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but a decreased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The MTHFR 1298AC genotype appeared to decrease the risks of leukemia in both genders, in AML and ALL. Stratified analysis by dietary folate intake showed the increased risks of leukemia with the MTHFR 677TT and TS 2R3R/2R2R genotypes were only significant in individuals with low folate intake. A significant interaction between TS polymorphism and dietary folate intake was observed (P = 0.03). This study suggests that dietary folate intake and gender may modify the associations between MTHFR/TS polymorphisms and adult leukemia risk.

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation induces cell-specific changes in genomic DNA methylation and uracil misincorporation: A possible molecular basis for the site-specific cancer risk modification

PubMed Central

Sohn, Kyoung-Jin; Jang, Hyeran; Campan, Mihaela; Weisenberger, Daniel J.; Dickhout, Jeffrey; Wang, Yi-Cheng; Cho, Robert C.; Yates, Zoe; Lucock, Mark; Chiang, En-Pei; Austin, Richard C.; Choi, Sang-Woon; Laird, Peter W.; Kim, Young-In

2009-01-01

The C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer while it may increase the risk of breast cancer. This polymorphism is associated with changes in intracellular folate cofactors, which may affect DNA methylation and synthesis via altered one-carbon transfer reactions. We investigated the effect of this mutation on DNA methylation and uracil misincorporation and its interaction with exogenous folate in further modulating these biomarkers of one-carbon transfer reactions in an in vitro model of the MTHFR 677T mutation in HCT116 colon and MDA-MB-435 breast adenocarcinoma cells. In HCT116 cells, the MTHFR 677T mutation was associated with significantly increased genomic DNA methylation when folate supply was adequate or high; however, in the setting of folate insufficiency, this mutation was associated with significantly decreased genomic DNA methylation. In contrast, in MDA-MB-435 cells, the MTHFR 677T mutation was associated with significantly decreased genomic DNA methylation when folate supply was adequate or high and with no effect when folate supply was low. The MTHFR 677T mutation was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward decreased and increased uracil misincorporation in HCT116 and MDA-MB-435 cells, respectively. Our data demonstrate for the first time a functional consequence of changes in intracellular folate cofactors resulting from the MTHFR 677T mutation in cells derived from the target organs of interest, thus providing a plausible cellular mechanism that may partly explain the site-specific modification of colon and breast cancer risks associated with the MTHFR C677T mutation. PMID:19123462

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms and therapy response in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PubMed

Aplenc, Richard; Thompson, Jennifer; Han, Peggy; La, Mei; Zhao, Huaqing; Lange, Beverly; Rebbeck, Timothy

2005-03-15

A significant portion of patients treated for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapse. We hypothesized that common polymorphisms with moderate effect sizes and large attributive risks could explain an important fraction of ALL relapses. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is central to folate metabolism and has two common functional polymorphisms (C677T and A1298G). Methotrexate (MTX), which interrupts folate metabolism, is a mainstay of pediatric ALL therapy. MTX inhibits the synthesis of dTMP needed for DNA replication by blocking the conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate by MTHFR. We hypothesized that a deactivating MTHFR allele would increase ALL relapse risk by potentially increasing 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and dTMP, enhancing DNA synthesis and thus opposing MTX. To test this hypothesis, we genotyped 520 patients on the Children's Cancer Study Group ALL study, CCG-1891. The MTHFR C677T variant allele was statistically significantly associated with relapse (chi2 = 4.38, P = 0.036). This association remained significant (hazard ratio = 1.82, P = 0.008), controlling for important covariates, and was more predictive of relapse than other predictors, including day 7 bone marrow response. The MTHFR C677T variant allele was not associated with an increased risk of toxicity or infection. The MTHFR A1298G polymorphism was not associated with altered risks of relapse, toxicity, or infection. Haplotype analysis showed six common haplotypes that did not provide additional information predictive for relapse. These data provide evidence that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism is a common genetic variant conferring a moderate relative risk and a high attributable risk for relapse in pediatric ALL patients.

Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphism with Hyperhomocysteinemia and Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Iranian Population.

PubMed

Ghaznavi, Habib; Soheili, Zahra; Samiei, Shahram; Soltanpour, Mohammad Soleiman

2015-12-01

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common but elusive condition characterized by a high morbidity and mortality rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism with plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels and DVT risk in an Iranian population. Our study population consisted of 67 patients with a diagnosis of DVT and 67 healthy subjects as controls. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was performed by the polymerase chain reaction technique combined with restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and measurement of tHcy levels was done by enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher in DVT patients than controls (18.09±7.6 vs. 10.5±4.3, P=0.001). Also, plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher in MTHFR 677TT genotypes compared to 677CC genotypes in both DVT patients (P=0.016) and controls (P=0.03). Neither heterozygote nor homozygote genotypes of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was significantly correlated with DVT (P>0.05). The distribution of MTHFR C677T genotypes was similar between men and women in both DVT patients and controls (P>0.05). Moreover, the frequency of mutant 677T allele did not differ significantly between the two groups (28.3% vs. 21.6%, P=0.15). Based on this study, we propose that hyperhomocysteinemia but not homozygosity for MTHFR C677T polymorphism is a significant risk factor for DVT in the Iranian population. Also, MTHFR 677TT genotype is a determinant of elevated plasma tHcy levels.

[Homocysteinemia and its relationship with the methylentetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism in various ethnic groups from western Venezuela].