Search

EUCLIDS consortium., Non-coding genetic variants play an important role in driving susceptibility to complex diseases but their characterization remains challenging. Here, we employed a novel approach to interrogate the genetic risk of such polymorphisms in a more systematic way by targeting specific regulatory regions relevant for the phenotype studied. We applied this method to meningococcal disease susceptibility, using the DNA binding pattern of RELA – a NF-kB subunit, master regulator of the response to infection – under bacterial stimuli in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We designed a custom panel to cover these RELA binding sites and used it for targeted sequencing in cases and controls. Variant calling and association analysis were performed followed by validation of candidate polymorphisms by genotyping in three independent cohorts. We identified two new polymorphisms, rs4823231 and rs11913168, showing signs of association with meningococcal disease susceptibility. In addition, using our genomic data as well as publicly available resources, we found evidences for these SNPs to have potential regulatory effects on ATXN10 and LIF genes respectively. The variants and related candidate genes are relevant for infectious diseases and may have important contribution for meningococcal disease pathology. Finally, we described a novel genetic association approach that could be applied to other phenotypes., This work has been partially funded by the European Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) under EUCLIDS Grant Agreement No. 279185. The UK meningococcal cohort was established with support from Meningitis Research Foundation through grants to Imperial College London. The Research from Newcastle partners was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre based at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The ESIGEM Research group activities were supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Proyecto de Investigación en Salud, Acción Estratégica en Salud: proyecto GePEM PI16/01478) (A.S.); Consellería de Sanidade, Xunta de Galicia (RHI07/2-intensificación actividad investigadora, PS09749 and 10PXIB918184PR), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Intensificación de la actividad investigadora 2007–2016), Convenio de colaboración de investigación (Wyeth España-Fundación IDICHUS 2007–2011), Convenio de colaboración de investigación (Novartis España-Fundación IDICHUS 2010–2011), Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS; PI070069/PI1000540) del plan nacional de I + D + I and ‘fondos FEDER’ (F.M.T.). The Swiss Pediatric Sepsis study was funded by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (342730_153158/1), the Swiss Society of Intensive Care, the Bangerter Foundation, the Vinetum and Borer Foundation, and the Foundation for the Health of Children and Adolescents. The Western Europe Meningococcal Study was supported by grants no 8842, 10112 and 12710 of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austria), grants A3-16.K-8/2008-11 and A3-16.K-8/2006–9 of the Department for Science and Research of the Styrian federal government (Austria) and the non for profit association ‘In Vita’, Graz (Austria).

Problem majhnih lesnih podjetij je, da ne poznajo svojih informacijskih potreb prav tako ne poznajo sodobnih informacijskih rešitev in njihovih ponudnikov. Izbira primernega informacijskega sistema je zato še bolj zapleten postopek. S ciljem oblikovanja ustreznega odločitvenega modela, ki bi podjetjem lahko bil v pomoč pri tej izbiri, smo v raziskavi najprej opravili analizo informacijskih potreb v manjših in v preučevanem podjetju. Ugotovili smo, da se le-te povsem ujemajo. Na osnovi ugotovljenih informacijskih potreb smo v nadaljevanju določili merila za izbor najustreznejšega informacijskega sistema za manjša lesna podjetja in pridobili ponudbe za 10 različnih informacijskih sistemov. Po metodi večkriterijskega odločanja smo postavili odločitveni model in izbrali informacijski sistem, ki najbolj ustreza potrebam tako preučevanega kot tudi ostalih, podobnih manjših lesnih podjetij. One of the problems most small wood-industry companies face is not being aware of their own information needs. They are also not familiar with the up-to-date information solutions and their providers. These facts make the selection of a suitable information system an even more complicated process. The purpose of our research was to form an appropriate decision model, helping companies with decision-making. With this aim in mind, we first carried out an analysis of information needs in small wood-industry companies as well as in the resarched one. We discovered that these needs do not differ much. Based on the results, we then determined the criteria for choosing the most suitable information system for smaller wood-industry companies and we received offers for 10 different information systems. Using the method of multi-criteria decision-making, we set up a decision model and we chose the information system best suited for the needs of the resarched company, as well as for other, similar small wood-industry companies.

The research studied the condition of business informatics in small wood industry companies. On one hand we were interested in how much the companies use computers, the internet and information systems to support their business activities, on the other hand we tried to find out which field of work they control with this kind of information solutions. It was found out that the companies, which already use integrity information systems (Enterprise Resource Planning systems), are mostly satisfied with them and that they use them to control their most important business activities. The research confirmed that the condition of information technology in studied companies gives them the opportunity for development in the field of introducing information systems and tools. Raziskovali smo, kakšno je stanje poslovne informatike v manjših lesnoindustrijskih podjetjih. Na eni strani nas je zanimalo, koliko podjetja uporabljajo računalnike, internet in informacijske sisteme za podporo svojim poslovnim aktivnostim, na drugi strani pa, katera področja pokrivajo s tovrstnimi informacijskimi rešitvami. Ugotovili smo, da so podjetja, ki že uporabljajo celovite informacijske sisteme, z njimi večinoma zadovoljna in jih uporabljajo predvsem za podporo ključnim poslovnim aktivnostim. Raziskava je potrdila, da stanje informacijske tehnologije v preučevanih podjetjih omogoča razvoj podjetij tudi na področju uvajanja informacijskih sistemov in orodij.

OBJECTIVESThis study evaluated changes in antithrombin (AT) activity around the time of percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization (PTCR) with unfractionated heparin anticoagulation and the effects these changes had on major thrombotic complications of PTCR.BACKGROUNDHeparin is used during PTCR to prevent thrombosis. However, heparin, a cofactor for AT, causes AT activity to fall. AT activity 20 h after heparin discontinuation. Pre-PTCR use of heparin led to lower AT activity in proportion to duration of heparin use. There was no relationship between AT activity and restenosis.CONCLUSIONSLow AT activity may contribute to major thrombotic complications of PTCR. The way heparin is used before and after PTCR is important to development of low AT activity.