miR-320c Regulates SERPINA1 Expression and Is Induced in Patients With Pulmonary Disease

IntroductionAlpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic condition resulting in lung and liver disease with a great clinical variability. MicroRNAs have been identified as disease modifiers; therefore miRNA deregulation could play an important role in disease heterogeneity. Members of miR-320 family are involved in regulating of multiple processes including inflammation, and have potential specific binding sites in the 3′UTR region of SERPINA1 gene. In this study we explore the involvement of miR-320c, a member of this family, in this disease.MethodsFirstly in vitro studies were carried out to demonstrate regulation of SERPINA1 gene by miR-320. Furthermore, the expression of miR-320c was analyzed in the blood of 98 individuals with different AAT serum levels by using quantitative PCR and expression was correlated to clinical parameters of the patients. Finally, HL60 cells were used to analyze induction of miR-320c in inflammatory conditions.ResultsOverexpression of miR-320 members in human HepG2 cells led to inhibition of SERPINA1 expression. Analysis of miR-320c expression in patient's samples revealed significantly increased expression of miR-320c in individuals with pulmonary disease. Additionally, HL60 cells treated with the pro-inflammatory factor lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed increase in miR-320c expression, suggesting that miR-320c responds to inflammation.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that miR-320c inhibits SERPINA1 expression in a hepatic cell line and its levels in blood are associated with lung disease in a cohort of patients with different AAT serum levels. These results suggest that miR-320c can play a role in AAT regulation and could be a biomarker of inflammatory processes in pulmonary diseases.     

Fascitis craneal: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura

Cranial fasciitis is an uncommon, rapidly-growing, benign, non-tumoural, myofibroblastic lesion of the skull, found mainly among young children in their first year of life. It is histologically similar to nodular fasciitis and pseudosarcomatous fasciitis. It may mimic more aggressive pathologies, such as sarcomatosis or histiocytosis, due to its rapid, nodular growth in subcutaneous tissue. Complete resection is considered curative and, therefore, entails a low risk of metastases or malignant recurrences.We present the clinical, radiological and pathological findings in a 4-year-old boy with cranial fasciitis in the deep, subcutaneous, soft tissue, with erosion of the outer table of the cranium, which also produced periosteal reaction, while respecting the inner table and meninges. The objective of this article is to highlight the absence of radiotherapeutic or chemotherapeutic adjuvant treatment. In addition, an exhaustive review of the literature is also presented.     

Three-dimensional finite element modelling of all-ceramic restorations based on micro-CT

ObjectivesTo describe and apply a method of modelling dental crowns and three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPD) for finite element analyses (FEA) from 3D images obtained using a micro-CT scanner.MethodsA crown and a three-unit fixed partial denture (FPD) made of a ceramic framework (Y-TZP) and veneered with porcelain (VM9) were scanned using an X-ray micro-CT scanner with a pixel size of 6.97 μm. Slice images from both structures were generated at each 0.034 mm and processed by an interactive image control system (Mimics). Different masks of abutments, framework and veneer were extracted using thresholding and region growing tools based on X-ray image brightness and contrast. 3D objects of each model were incorporated into non-manifold assembly and meshed simultaneously. Volume meshes were exported to the FEA software (ABAQUS), and the load-generated stress distribution was analyzed.ResultsFEA models showed great shape resemblance with the structures. The use of non-manifold assembly ensured matching surfaces and coinciding nodes between different structural parts. For the crown model, tensile stresses were concentrated in the internal surface of the core, near to the applied load. For the FPD model, the highest tensile stresses were located in the framework, on the cervical area of connectors and pontic.ConclusionsValid 3D models of dental crown and FPD can be generated by combining micro-CT scanning and Mimics software, emphasizing its importance as design tool in dental research.Clinical significanceThe 3D FEA method described in this work is an important tool to predict the stress distribution, assisting on structural design of dental restorations.     

Software Architecture for Smart Emotion Recognition and Regulation of the Ageing Adult

This paper introduces the architecture of an emotion-aware ambient intelligent and gerontechnological project named “Improvement of the Elderly Quality of Life and Care through Smart Emotion Regulation”. The objective of the proposal is to find solutions for improving the quality of life and care of the elderly who can or want to continue living at home by using emotion regulation techniques. A series of sensors is used for monitoring the elderlies’ facial and gestural expression, activity and behaviour, as well as relevant physiological data. This way the older people’s emotions are inferred and recognized. Music, colour and light are the stimulating means to regulate their emotions towards a positive and pleasant mood. Then, the paper proposes a gerontechnological software architecture that enables real-time, continuous monitoring of the elderly and provides the best-tailored reactions of the ambience in order to regulate the older person’s emotions towards a positive mood. After describing the benefits of the approach for emotion recognition and regulation in the elderly, the eight levels that compose the architecture are described.