Abstract MicroRNAs are considered as potential biomarkers, agents, or therapeutic targets; few studies have addressed the expression of miRNAs in treatment-naïve patients infected with HIV-1. The aim of this study was to assess plasma relative circulating miRNA expression profiles in treatment-naïve Mexican patients with HIV/AIDS and healthy individuals using a commercial array. A low CD4+ T cell count and high viral load were found in all patients. Decreased relative miRNA-296-5p expression was observed in patients; moreover, this was the only miRNA that showed differences between the two groups. Thus, we measured the absolute expression of miR-296-5p by qPCR, confirming the result with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). There is evidence that miR-296-5p regulates the expression of the PIN1 gene, which encodes the peptidylprolyl Cis/Trans isomerase NIMA-Interacting-1, that is involved in different stages of the biological cycle of HIV-1, this relationship is corroborated by bioinformatics analysis and ELISA assay was used to measure plasma levels of PIN1. The decreased expression of miR-296-5p found in naïve patients with HIV infection suggests a regulatory activity of this miRNA on virus replication, making it a potential therapeutic agent against HIV. Finally, miR-296-5p could be inhibiting the virus transcription by regulating genes different than PIN1.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a relação do nível sérico de homocisteína (Hcy) com os polimorfismos da metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase MTHFR C677T e A1298C e variáveis clínicas e bioquímicas na po-pulação mexicana. Foi determinado o nível de Hcy (imunoensaio) e de polimorfismos (PCR/RFLP) em 102 indivíduos da população geral. O genótipo 677TT mostrou associação significativa com o peso corporal (r =0,012) e o genótipo 1298CC teve tendência a se associar com o IMC (r~0,06). Os níveis séricos de Hcy em mulheres (51/102) foram 8,33±1,86 µmol/L e em homens (51/102) 11,64±4,15 µmol/L. A Hcy mos-trou associação positiva com o peso corporal (r=0,004) e associação negativa com Hb e Hto (r=0,001). Encontraram-se níveis mais elevados de Hcy em fumantes (p=0,009) e uma tendência para hiperhomo-cisteinemia em alcoólatras e em mulheres na menopausa. Nenhuma associação se mostrou entre Hcy e os polimorfismos MTHFR C677T e A1298C, no entanto, a análise com modelo de herança dominante para o polimorfismo C677T (TT+CT vs. CC) mostrou um efeito semidominantes (r<0,10). Neste estudo, a presença dos polimorfismos MTHFR C677T e A1298C não representou ser um fator de risco significativo para a hiper-homocisteinemia, no entanto, foram encontradas diferenças que apontam a possível dependência dos níveis de Hcy relativos aos genótipos modificados com diversos fatores ambientais.

The objective of the current work was to analyze the relationship of serum homocysteine (Hcy) with MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and clinical and biochemical variables in the Mexican population. Hcy (immunoassay) levels and polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) levels were determined in 102 individuals from the general population. The 677TT genotype showed significant association with body weight (r=0.012) and the 1298CC genotype tended to be associated with BMI (r~0.06). Serum levels of Hcy in women (51/102) were 8.33±1.86 µmol/L and in men (51/102) 11.64± 4.15 µmol/L. The Hcy was positively as-sociated with body weight (r=0.004) and negatively with Hb and Hct (r=0.001). Higher levels of Hcy were found in smokers (r=0.009) and a tendency to hyperhomocysteinemia in alcoholics and in menopausal women. There was no association of Hcy with MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, although the analysis with dominant inheritance model for the C677T polymorphism (TT + CT vs. CC) showed a semi-dominant effect (r<0.10). In this study, the presence of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms did not represent a significant risk factor for hyperhomocysteinemia; however, those differences may point out the dependence of the relative levels of Hcy modifed genotypes on various environmental factors.

El objetivo del trabajo consistió en analizar la relación del nivel sérico de homocisteína (Hcy) con los polimorfismos de la metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa MTHFR C677T y A1298C y variables clínicas y bioquímicas en población mexicana. Se determinó el nivel de Hcy (inmunoensayo) y de polimorfismos (PCR/RFLP) en 102 individuos de la población general. El genotipo 677TT mostró asociación significativa con el peso corporal (r=0,012) y el genotipo 1298CC tuvo tendencia a asociarse con el IMC (r~0,06). Los valores séricos de Hcy en mujeres (51/102) fueron 8,33±1,86 µmol/L y en hombres (51/102) 11,64±4,15 µmol/L. La Hcy mostró asociación positiva con peso corporal (r=0,004) y asociación negativa con Hb y Hto (r=0,001). Se encontró mayor nivel de Hcy en individuos fumadores (r=0,009) y una tendencia hacia hiperhomocisteinemia en alcohólicos y en mujeres menopáusicas. No se evidenció asociación de Hcy con los polimorfismos MTHFR C677T y A1298C, sin embargo, el análisis con el modelo de herencia dominante para el polimorfismo C677T (TT+CT vs. CC) mostró un efecto semidominante (r<0,10). En este estudio, la presencia de los polimorfismos MTHFR C677T y A1298C no representó ser un factor de riesgo significativo para hiperhomocisteinemia, sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias que puntualizan la posible dependencia de los niveles de Hcy en relación con los genotipos modificados con diversos factores ambientales.

This study compares the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis through bacilloscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen stain), growth in Lowenstein-Jensen medium, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) carried out with DNA taken directly from various types of samples. A total of 252 samples were analyzed (114 sputum, 96 urine, 15 cerebrospinal fluid, and 27 of other types) from 160 patients with any form of suspected tuberculosis who came to the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of the Specialties Hospital of the Western National Medical Center of the Mexican Social Security Institute. In all cases Ziehl-Neelsen stains were done, as were also cultures with Lowenstein-Jensen medium and PCR amplification of a segment of 285 base pairs specific to the M. tuberculosis complex. Of the 252 samples, with the culture, 18 were positive for nontuberculous mycobacteria. Of the 234 others, 12 (5.1%) were positive with the PCR and the culture, 174 (74.4%) negative in both tests, 47 (20.1%) positive with the PCR and negative with the culture, and 1 (0.4%) negative with the PCR and positive with the culture. Using the culture as the reference test, the PCR provided a sensitivity of 92.3%, a specificity of 78.7%, a positive predictive value of 20.3%, and a negative predictive value of 99.4%. The PCR detection limit with DNA taken from culture was 10 fg, equivalent to four or five mycobacteria. Also in comparison with the culture, the PCR correctly identified the totality of the mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex. Taking the culture as the reference test, when analyzing just the sputum samples, the direct PCR provided a sensitivity of 90.9%, a specificity of 89.5%, a positive predictive value of 52.6%, and a negative predictive value of 98.7%. The PCR is a sensitive and specific technique for detecting the M. tuberculosis complex in both positive and negative bacilloscopy samples. A controlled PCR procedure makes it possible to establish or to exclude the diagnosis of tuberculosis in a time that is reduced from more than three weeks to just 24 to 48 hours. This is particularly useful when an early diagnosis is needed to establish a patient's prognosis or in organ transplant cases.

Este estudio compara la detección de Mycobacterium tuberculosis mediante baciloscopia (tinción de Ziehl-Neelsen), cultivo en medio de Löwenstein-Jensen y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (RCP) realizada con ADN extraído directamente de distintos tipos de muestras. Se analizaron 252 muestras (114 de esputo, 96 de orina, 15 de LCR y 27 de otros tipos) de 160 pacientes con sospecha de tuberculosis en cualquiera de sus formas que acudieron al Laboratorio de Patología Clínica del Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. En todos los casos se realizó tinción de Ziehl-Neelsen, cultivo en medio de Löwenstein-Jensen y amplificación por RCP de un segmento de 285 pares de bases específico del complejo M. tuberculosis. De las 252 muestras, 18 fueron positivas para micobacterias no tuberculosas en el cultivo. De las 234 restantes, 12 (5,1%) fueron positivas en la RCP y el cultivo, 174 (74,4%) negativas en ambas pruebas, 47 (20,1%) positivas en la RCP y negativas en el cultivo y 1 (0,4%) negativa en la RCP y positiva en el cultivo; tomando el cultivo como prueba de referencia, la RCP proporcionó una sensibilidad de 92,3%, una especificidad de 78,7%, un valor predictivo positivo de 20,3% y un valor predictivo negativo de 99,4%. El límite de detección de la RCP en ADN extraído de cultivo fue de 10 fg (equivalente a 4 ó 5 micobacterias). También en comparación con el cultivo, la RCP identificó correctamente a la totalidad de las micobacterias del complejo M. tuberculosis. Tomando como prueba de referencia el cultivo, al analizar únicamente las muestras de esputo, la RCP directa proporcionó una sensibilidad de 90,9%, una especificidad de 89,5%, un valor predictivo positivo de 52,6% y un valor predictivo negativo de 98,7%. La RCP es una técnica sensible y específica para detectar el complejo M. tuberculosis en muestras tanto positivas como negativas en la baciloscopia. Un procedimiento controlado de RCP permite establecer o excluir el diagnóstico de tuberculosis en un tiempo que se reduce de más de tres semanas a tan solo 24 a 48 horas, lo cual resulta particularmente útil cuando es necesario un diagnóstico temprano para establecer el pronóstico del paciente o en casos de transplante de órganos.