Alpha tryptase allele of Tryptase 1 (TPSAB1) gene associated with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) in Vietnam and Philippines

We previously reported, significantly higher levels of Chymase and Tryptase in early stage plasma of DSS patients prior to the occurrence of shock suggesting a possible role of mast cells in dengue pathogenesis. To further investigate, we analyzed CMA1 promoter SNP (rs1800875) and TPSAB1 gene alleles, which encode the Human Chymase and α- and β- tryptase 1 enzymes respectively, for susceptibility to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) in patients from hospitals in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and Vinh Long) and the Philippines. While the CMA1 promoter SNP (rs1800875) was not associated with DHF/DSS, the homozygous form of α-tryptase allele was associated with DSS patients in Vinh Long and the Philippines (OR = 3.52, p < 0.0001; OR = 3.37, p < 0.0001, respectively) and with DHF in Ho Chi Minh City (OR = 2.54, p = 0.0084). Also, a statistically significant association was observed when DHF and DSS were combined in Vinh Long (OR = 1.5, p = 0.034) and the Philippines (OR = 2.36, p = 0.0004); in Ho Chi Minh City when DHF and DSS were combine an association was observed, but it was not statistically significant (OR = 1.5, p = 0.0505). Therefore, the α-tryptase might have a possible effect on the susceptibility to severe form of Dengue infection.     

Dyskinésie ciliaire primitive

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD, MIM 242650) is an inherited respiratory disease caused by functional and ultrastructural abnormalities of respiratory cilia. This disorder, which affects 1 in 16,000 individuals, is usually transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. In half the cases, PCD is associated with situs inversus (Kartagener syndrome). PCD is characterized by impaired mucociliary clearance resulting from a lack of ciliary motion, which is responsible for recurrent respiratory infections. The most frequent and first identified ciliary defect involves the dynein arms. The genetic heterogeneity underlying PCD is extremely important, and only three genes have as yet been identified in a few PCD patients with absence of outer dynein arms. The main clinical symptoms, at pulmonary and ENT levels, the abnormalities of ciliary structure and function, and the molecular basis of PCD will be reported in this review.     

Ethanol withdrawal influences survival and morphology of developing rat hippocampal neurons in vitro

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in this laboratory have shown that, like their counterparts in vivo, fetal rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons in culture develop abnormally small dendritic arbors when exposed to ethanol. This study asked whether ethanol's inhibitory effects on dendritic development differ when the duration of ethanol exposure and timing of withdrawal are varied to correspond with early versus later stages of development and whether ethanol withdrawal influences survival of these neurons. METHODS: We compared neurons exposed continuously for 6 or 14 days to ethanol (70 mM) with neurons transferred from ethanol-containing medium to control medium either 1 day after adding ethanol (before dendrites elongated) or 6 days after adding ethanol (after dendrites began elongating). We then performed morphometric and cell density analyses at 6 and 14 days using digital images of neurons immunostained with microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) to visualize dendrites. RESULTS: Continuous exposure to ethanol decreased the length and number of dendrites formed but had no effect on neuron survival compared with controls without ethanol. Dendritic length was less inhibited when ethanol was withdrawn after 1 day, but the number of dendrites per cell was unchanged compared with neurons continuously exposed to ethanol. Withdrawal from ethanol at 1 day slightly enhanced the survival of neurons assessed at 14 days compared with neurons in control medium and with neurons exposed continuously to ethanol. In contrast, withdrawal from ethanol at 6 days severely decreased the number of neurons at 14 days. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dendrites can achieve normal length when ethanol exposure is limited to only 1 day and withdrawal occurs before dendrites begin elongating. However, a persistent reduction in dendrite number results in smaller overall dendritic arbor size. Although continuous exposure to ethanol has little effect on neuron survival in these cultures, and exposure limited to 1 day followed by withdrawal can be neuroprotective against cell death associated with increased time in culture, longer exposure before withdrawal can trigger cell death.     

The prevalence of oral symptoms caused by Rosaceae fruits and soybean consumption in children; a Japanese population-based survey

BackgroundPollen food Syndrome (PFS) to Rosaceae fruits and soybean, related to Bet v 1 homologue sensitization has been reported increasingly throughout Japan, possibly due to the wide distribution of alder.MethodsIn 2015, we conducted a school-based questionnaire survey among two age groups; students in primary school (Years 1–2) and secondary school (Years 8–9) from each of the 47 prefectures of Japan. We analyzed the prevalence, demographic and clinical characteristics of children with oral symptoms to Rosaceae fruits/soybean; defined as oral symptoms occurring shortly after ingesting apple, peach, cherry or soybean. Additionally, we assessed the correlation between the prevalence and external data on alder sensitization rates by prefecture.ResultsResponses from 41,264 primary and 35,302 secondary school students were analyzed. The prevalence of oral symptoms to Rosaceae fruits/soybean was 0.99%, 95%CI: 0.89–1.09% and 2.75%, 95%CI: 2.59–2.93% among each age group, respectively. Children with oral symptoms were more likely to have parental and personal history of allergic disease compared to those without symptoms. Oral symptoms were experienced more often in children with severe spring allergic rhinitis or have both allergic rhinitis and wheeze. There was a strong correlation between the prevalence of oral symptoms and alder sensitization rates by prefecture among both age groups (r = 0.63, p < 0.001 and r = 0.76, p < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsOral symptoms to Rosaceae fruits/soybean, which is suggestive of PFS was reported by 1–3% Japanese school children. It was associated with the geographic alder sensitization rate, supporting the underlying sensitization to Bet v 1.     

血尿酸和基质金属蛋白酶-9在代谢综合征中的表达和意义

【目的】探讨基质金属蛋白酶‐9（MMP‐9）和血尿酸（BUA）在代谢综合征（MS）中的表达及意义。【方法】用免疫组织化学技术检测BUA及MMP‐9在MS（MS组132例）和健康体检者（对照组30例）血清中的表达。【结果】MS组BUA与MMP‐9表达显著高于对照组（ P ＜0．01）;BUA和 MMP‐9在MS危险因子增加的患者中其水平增高（ P ＜0．05）,且在MS中BUA与MMP‐9正相关（ P ＝0．576,P ＜0．01）。【结论】BUA和MMP‐9在MS的发生和发展中均有重要作用。     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1和妊娠相关血浆蛋白A的变化

目的观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1、妊娠相关血浆蛋白A水平的变化,结合冠状动脉造影结果探讨其临床意义。方法用酶联免疫吸附法检测46例急性冠状动脉综合征患者(其中急性心肌梗死20例,不稳定型心绞痛26例)、22例稳定型心绞痛患者和20例冠状动脉造影阴性对照者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1、妊娠相关血浆蛋白A水平,分析冠状动脉病变程度与可溶性细胞间粘附分子1、妊娠相关血浆蛋白A浓度的关系。结果急性冠状动脉综合征组血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1和妊娠相关血浆蛋白A浓度较稳定型心绞痛组、对照组显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。冠状动脉造影为单支、双支、三支病变者,其可溶性细胞间粘附分子1、妊娠相关血浆蛋白A浓度依次增高。相关分析发现,急性心肌梗死、不稳定型心绞痛患者血清可溶性细胞间粘附分子1浓度与妊娠相关血浆蛋白A浓度显著正相关(r=0.737和r=0.758,P<0.001)。结论急性冠状动脉综合征患者可溶性细胞间粘附分子1、妊娠相关血浆蛋白A升高,二者可能是动脉粥样斑块不稳定的标志。     

Comparison of ACUITY and CRUSADE Scores in Predicting Major Bleeding during Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

The ACUITY and CRUSADE scores are validated models for prediction of major bleeding events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the comparative performances of these scores are not known.

Objective

To compare the accuracy of ACUITY and CRUSADE in predicting major bleeding events during ACS.

Methods

This study included 519 patients consecutively admitted for unstable angina, non-ST-elevation or ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The scores were calculated based on admission data. We considered major bleeding events during hospitalization and not related to cardiac surgery, according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria (type 3 or 5: hemodynamic instability, need for transfusion, drop in hemoglobin ≥ 3 g, and intracranial, intraocular or fatal bleeding).

Results

Major bleeding was observed in 31 patients (23 caused by femoral puncture, 5 digestive, 3 in other sites), an incidence of 6%. While both scores were associated with bleeding, ACUITY demonstrated better C-statistics (0.73, 95% CI = 0.63 - 0.82) as compared with CRUSADE (0.62, 95% CI = 0.53 - 0.71; p = 0.04). The best performance of ACUITY was also reflected by a net reclassification improvement of + 0.19 (p = 0.02) over CRUSADE’s definition of low or high risk. Exploratory analysis suggested that the presence of the variables ‘age’ and ‘type of ACS’ in ACUITY was the main reason for its superiority.

Conclusion

The ACUITY Score is a better predictor of major bleeding when compared with the CRUSADE Score in patients hospitalized for ACS.     

Metabolic Syndrome and Importance of Associated Variables in Children and Adolescents in Guabiruba - SC,Brazil

Background

The risk factors that characterize metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be present in childhood and adolescence, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Objective

Evaluate the prevalence of MetS and the importance of its associated variables, including insulin resistance (IR), in children and adolescents in the city of Guabiruba-SC, Brazil.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 1011 students (6-14 years, 52.4% girls, 58.5% children). Blood samples were collected for measurement of biochemical parameters by routine laboratory methods. IR was estimated by the HOMA-IR index, and weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were determined. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between risk variables and MetS.

Results

The prevalence of MetS, IR, overweight and obesity in the cohort were 14%, 8.5%, 21% and 13%, respectively. Among students with MetS, 27% had IR, 33% were overweight, 45.5% were obese and 22% were eutrophic. IR was more common in overweight (48%) and obese (41%) students when compared with eutrophic individuals (11%; p = 0.034). The variables with greatest influence on the development of MetS were obesity (OR = 32.7), overweight (OR = 6.1), IR (OR = 4.4; p ≤ 0.0001 for all) and age (OR = 1.15; p = 0.014).

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of MetS in children and adolescents evaluated in this study. Students who were obese, overweight or insulin resistant had higher chances of developing the syndrome.