Polymorphism rs547984 on human chromosome 1q43 is not associated with primary open angle glaucoma in a Saudi cohort

Background

To investigate the association between polymorphism rs547984, located in close proximity to the Zona Pellucida Glycoprotein 4 (ZP4) gene on human chromosome 1q43 and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Method

Polymorphism rs547984 was genotyped using Taq-Man® assay in 185 subjects comprising of 90 unrelated POAG cases and 95 controls of Saudi origin.

Results

Association analysis between cases and controls revealed no significant genotype distribution under additive (p = 0.356), dominant (p = 0.517) and recessive (p = 0.309) models. Besides, the allele frequency distribution was also found to be non-significant (p = 0.70). The minor “A” allele frequency was found to be 0.49 and 0.50 among POAG cases and controls, respectively. In addition, specific clinical indices used to assess severity of glaucoma such as intraocular pressure (IOP), cup/disc ratio and number of anti-glaucoma medication also did not show any significant genotype distribution in POAG cases.

Conclusion

Polymorphism rs547984 is neither associated with any clinical indices important for POAG such as IOP and cup/disc ratio nor is a risk factor for POAG in the Saudi cohort.

     

Public support for pictorial warnings on cigarette packs: an experimental study of US smokers

Background

Understanding factors that influence public support for “nudging” policies, like pictorial cigarette pack warnings, may offer insight about how to increase such support. We sought to examine factors that influence smokers’ support for requiring pictorial warnings on cigarette packs.

Methods

In 2014 and 2015, we randomly assigned 2149 adult US smokers to receive either pictorial warnings or text-only warnings on their cigarette packs for 4 weeks. The outcome examined in the current study was support for a policy requiring pictorial warnings on cigarette packs in the US.

Results

Support for pictorial warnings was high at baseline (mean: 3.2 out of 4). Exposure to pictorial warnings increased policy support at week 4 (β = .05, p = .03). This effect was explained by increases in perceived message effectiveness (p < .001) and reported conversations about policy support (p < .001). Message reactance (i.e., an oppositional reaction to the warning) partially diminished the impact of pictorial warnings on policy support (p < .001).

Conclusions

Exposing people to a new policy through implementation could increase public support for that policy by increasing perceived effectiveness and by prompting conversations about the policy. Reactance may partially weaken the effect of policy exposure on public support.

     

Dimethylarginines in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage: association with outcome,hematoma enlargement,and edema

Background

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)––the most potent endogenous NO-synthase inhibitor, has been regarded as mediator of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Considering experimental data, levels of ADMA and its structural isomer symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) might be elevated after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and associated with clinical outcome and secondary brain injury.

Methods

Blood samples from 20 patients with acute ICH were taken at?≤?24 h and 3 and 7 days after the event. Nine patients had favorable (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days 0–2) outcome, and 11 patients unfavorable outcome (mRS 3–6). Patients’ serum ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Levels were compared to those of 30 control subjects without ICH. For further analysis, patients were grouped according to outcome, hematoma and perihematomal edema volumes, occurrence of hematoma enlargement, and cytotoxic edema as measured by computed tomography and serial magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Levels of ADMA––but not SDMA and L-arginine––were elevated in ICH patients compared to controls (binary logistic regression analysis: ADMA?≤?24 h, p?=?0.003; 3 days p?=?0.005; 7 days p?=?0.004). If patients were grouped according to outcome, dimethylarginines were increased in patients with unfavorable outcome. The binary logistic regression analysis confirmed an association of SDMA levels?≤?24 h (p?=?0.048) and at 3 days (p?=?0.028) with unfavorable outcome. ADMA?≤?24 h was increased in patients with hematoma enlargement (p?=?0.003), while SDMA?≤?24 h was increased in patients with large hematoma (p?=?0.029) and perihematomal edema volume (p?=?0.023).

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate an association between dimethylarginines and outcome of ICH. However, further studies are needed to confirm this relationship and elucidate the mechanisms behind.

     

Cadaveric study of anterior and posterior elbow endoscopy portals for endoscopic distal biceps repair: comparative anatomy-at-risk

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe neurovascular structures-at-risk during establishment of five portals for access to distal biceps tendon (DBT) in cubital fossa, and to establish relative safety of these portal sites for such access. We hypothesized that all five portals are safe for endoscopic DBT exploration.

Methods

Ten fresh frozen cadaveric elbows were dissected after placement of portals at five potential sites (four anterior, one posterior). Nine neurovascular structures (CV, cephalic vein; LCN, lateral cutaneous nerve; LV, leash of vessels; RN, radial nerve; SRN, superficial radial nerve; PIN, posterior interosseous nerve; RA, radial artery; BA, brachial artery; MN, median nerve) were dissected, and their distances from portal sites were measured. Statistical analysis was performed to determine relative portal safety, and risk of injury to neurovascular structures in relation to each portal was analyzed.

Results

Structures that were significantly “at risk” were RA (p = 0.006), SRN (p = 0.002), and PIN (p = 0.004). RA was significantly “at risk” of injury from portal 4 (p = 0.009). Similarly, SRN was “at risk” from portal 3 (p = 0.036), and the PIN was “at risk” from portal 2 (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Portal 1 (parabiceps portal) was safe for all neurovascular structures, however, portals 2–4 were significantly closer to neurovascular structures. RA, SRN, and PIN were significantly “at risk” as compared to other structures amongst the portals studied. Portal 5 was relatively safe for SRN and PIN.

Clinical relevance

Portals 1 (parabiceps portal) and 5 (distal posterior) can be safely placed for endoscopic access to the DBT. Portal 4 (open distal anterior) may be used after careful open dissection and under direct vision. Portals 2 and 3 are not recommended for elbow endoscopy.

     

Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 (PASS-20) in Healthy Volunteers and Patients Attending a Physiotherapy Clinic

Purpose

The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the PASS-20 questionnaire for use in Libya.

Methods

Participants were 71 patients (42 women) attending the physiotherapy clinic, Ibn Sina Hospital, Sirt, Libya for management of persistent pain and 137 healthy unpaid undergraduate students (52 women) from the University of Sirt, Libya. The English PASS-20 was translated into Arabic. Patients completed the Arabic PASS-20 and the Arabic Pain Rating Scales on two occasions separated by a 14-day interval. Healthy participants completed the Arabic PASS-20 on one occasion.

Results

The internal consistency (ICC) for pain patient and healthy participant samples yielded a good reliability for the total score, cognitive anxiety, fear of pain, and physiological anxiety. The test-retest reliability of the Arabic PASS-20 score showed high reliability for the total score (ICC = 0.93, p < 0.001), escape/avoidance (ICC = 0.93, p < 0.001), fear of pain (ICC = 0.94, p < 0.001), and physiological anxiety subscales (ICC = 0.96, p < 0.001) and good reliability for the cognitive anxiety (ICC = 0.85, p < 0.001). Inspection of the Promax rotation showed that each factor comprised of five items were consistent with the theoretical constructs of the original PASS-20 subscales.

Conclusion

The Arabic PASS-20 retained internal consistency and reliability with the original English version and can be used to measure pain anxiety symptoms in both pain and healthy individual samples in Libya.

     

Asthma and Hypogammaglobulinemia: an Asthma Phenotype with Low Type 2 Inflammation

Purpose

Little is known about hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) in asthma patients. No data are available on the characteristics of adult patients with asthma and HGG.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective monocentric study between January 2006 and December 2012. Asthma patients with a serum immunoglobulin (Ig) quantitative analysis were included and classified into two groups depending on their serum IgG concentration: presence or absence of HGG. Clinical, biological, functional, and radiologic characteristics were compared in univariate and multivariate analysis, using a logistic regression model.

Results

In univariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG (n?=?25) were older (58 years old?±?18 vs 49?±?18, p?=?0.04) and more frequently active or former smokers as compared to patients with normoglobulinemia (n?=?80) (56.0 vs 35.0 %, p?=?0.01). Total IgE?<?30 kUI/L was more frequently observed in patients with HGG (53.0 vs 18.3 %, p?=?0.01). HGG asthma patients had lower fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (p?=?0.02), blood eosinophilia (p?=?0.0009), and presented with more severe composite score for bronchiectasis (p?=?0.01). In multivariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG had increased risk of being smokers [OR?=?6.11 (IC 95 %?=?1.16–32.04)], having total IgE concentration?<?30 kUI/L [OR?=?12.87 (IC 95 %?=?2.30–72.15)], and a more severe composite score of bronchiectasis [OR?=?20.65 (IC 95 %?=?2.13–199.74)].

Conclusion

Asthma patients with HGG are older and more often tobacco smoker than asthma patients without HGG. These patients have low type-2 inflammation markers.

     

Predictors of obstructive sleep apnea

Background

A patient’s condition, such as obesity, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study focuses on morphometric data that might be associated with the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and could therefore be used to predict OSA in order to better select patients for cardiorespiratory polysomnography (PSG).

Methods

Data of 110 patients with suspected OSA in the sleep center outpatient department were analyzed retrospectively. The data included morphometric measurements such as neck, waist, and hip circumference; weight; body size; age; and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The results of the patients’ overnight polygraphy, the AHI, completed the data.

Results

Neck and waist circumference can predict the AHI (p < 0.01). Power of prediction was higher for both factors among male (p < 0.01) compared to female patients (p = 0.05). In the case of neck circumference, the threshold value is 40 cm. Neck circumferences of more than 40 cm are strongly associated with a higher AHI (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

It was possible to confirm the roles of waist and neck circumference as important parameters for a prediction model. Nevertheless, these parameters alone are not precise enough to completely neglect factors such as anatomic morphology in order to predict OSA and its severity.

     

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: 24-Month Data from a Randomised Controlled Trial

Purpose

There is ongoing controversy on the effectiveness of psychotherapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the few small studies, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety or depression. However, there is little research on the impact of CBT on physical outcomes in IBD and no studies on long-term effectiveness of CBT.

Methods

The present two-arm pragmatic randomised controlled trial aimed to establish the impact of CBT on disease course after 24 months of observation. The study compared standard care plus CBT (+CBT) with standard care alone (SC). CBT was delivered over 10 weeks, face-to-face (F2F) or online (cCBT). The data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models.

Results

CBT did not significantly influence disease activity as measured by disease activity indices at 24 months (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI), p?=?0.92; Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI), p?=?0.88) or blood parameters (C-reactive protein (CRP), p?<?0.62; haemoglobin (Hb), p?=?0.77; platelet, p?=?0.64; white cell count (WCC), p?=?0.59) nor did CBT significantly affect mental health, coping or quality of life (all p?>?0.05).

Conclusions

Therefore, we conclude that CBT does not influence the course of IBD over 24 months. Given the high rate of attrition, particularly in the CBT group, future trials should consider a personalised approach to psychotherapy, perhaps combining online and one-to-one therapist time.

     

MUC18 regulates IL-13-mediated airway inflammatory response

Objective

To evaluate the effects of MUC18 on IL-13-mediated airway inflammatory responses in human airway epithelial cells and in mice.

Materials

Primary normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (HTBE) cells, wild-type (WT) and Muc18 knockout (KO) mice, and mouse tracheal epithelial cells (mTECs) were utilized.

Treatment

Cultured HTBE cells treated with MUC18 siRNA or MUC18 expressing lentivirus were incubated with IL-13 (10 ng/mL) for 24 h. Mice were intranasally instilled with 500 ng of IL-13 for 3 days. mTECs were treated with IL-13 (10 ng/mL) for 3 days.

Methods

PCR was used to measure mRNA expression. Western Blot and ELISAs were used to quantify protein expression. Cytospins of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were used to obtain leukocyte differentials.

Results

MUC18 siRNA reduced IL-13-mediated eotaxin-3 (183 ± 44 vs. 380 ± 59 pg/mL, p < 0.05), while MUC18 overexpression increased IL-13-mediated eotaxin-3 (95 ± 3 vs. 58 ± 3 pg/mL, p < 0.05) in HTBE cells. IL-13-treated Muc18 KO mice had a lower percentage of neutrophils in BAL than WT mice (25 ± 3 vs. 35 ± 3%, p = 0.0565).

Conclusions

These results implicate MUC18 as a potential enhancer of airway inflammation in a type 2 cytokine (e.g., IL-13) milieu.

     

Fasting Glucose and the Risk of Depressive Symptoms: Instrumental-Variable Regression in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Purpose

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been associated with depressive symptoms, but the causal direction of this association and the underlying mechanisms, such as increased glucose levels, remain unclear. We used instrumental-variable regression with a genetic instrument (Mendelian randomization) to examine a causal role of increased glucose concentrations in the development of depressive symptoms.

Method

Data were from the population-based Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (n = 1217). Depressive symptoms were assessed in 2012 using a modified Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I). Fasting glucose was measured concurrently with depressive symptoms. A genetic risk score for fasting glucose (with 35 single nucleotide polymorphisms) was used as an instrumental variable for glucose.

Results

Glucose was not associated with depressive symptoms in the standard linear regression (B = ?0.04, 95% CI [?0.12, 0.04], p = .34), but the instrumental-variable regression showed an inverse association between glucose and depressive symptoms (B = ?0.43, 95% CI [?0.79, ?0.07], p = .020). The difference between the estimates of standard linear regression and instrumental-variable regression was significant (p = .026)

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the association between T2D and depressive symptoms is unlikely to be caused by increased glucose concentrations. It seems possible that T2D might be linked to depressive symptoms due to low glucose levels.

     

Association of hyperhomocysteinemia with genetic variants in key enzymes of homocysteine metabolism and methotrexate toxicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objectives

The study investigated the association between plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 with 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C), thymidylate synthase (TYMS 2R → 3R) and methionine synthase (MTR A2756G) polymorphisms and methotrexate (MTX) treatment and toxicity in Tunisian Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

A total of 185 patients with RA were included. Homocysteine (Hcy) was assessed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay, and folate and vitamin B12 were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassays. The genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR or PCR-RFLP. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) was considered for Hcy?>?15 µmol/L.

Results

MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with HHC in RA patients (multi-adjusted OR, 95% CI 2.18, [1.07–4.57]; p?=?0.031). No association was detected with the remaining polymorphisms. Plasma Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 did not differ according to each polymorphism, or with MTX treatment or toxicity. However, HHC was more prevalent in patients with than those without MTX toxicity (32.7 vs. 16.7%; p?=?0.035).

Conclusions

The MTHFR 677TT genotype is an independent risk factor for HHC in Tunisians RA patients. HHC could be a useful marker of MTX toxicity in RA patients.

     

The Association Between Social Support,Body Mass Index and Increased Risk of Prediabetes: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Purpose

The psychosocial determinants of prediabetes are poorly understood. The aims of our study were (1) to analyse the association between perceived social support in young adulthood and fasting glucose levels and prediabetes in mid-adulthood in a cohort of healthy Finns, (2) to explore whether body mass index (BMI), inflammation or depression mediate this relationship, (3) and to examine the association between social support trajectory groups and fasting glucose.

Method

A prospective design was used with an analytic sample of 1250 participants aged 3–18 years at baseline (1980) and aged 12–39 years when social support was measured. Fasting glucose and prediabetes were assessed 32 years after baseline. Linear and logistic regression was used to examine the association between social support and the outcome measures. A bootstrapping technique was used to examine mediation effects.

Results

Social support was associated with future glucose levels in women after adjusting for childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and youth depression (β = ?0.136, p = 0.001) and also predicted prediabetes in women after adjusting for childhood SES (β = 1.31, 95 % CI 1.02 to 1.69, p = 0.031). Both associations were attenuated after adjusting for BMI in mid-adulthood. BMI was found to mediate the relationship between social support and prediabetes in women (β for indirect effect β = 0.09, SE = 0.03, CI = 0.03 to 0.16).

Conclusion

Low perceived social support in young adulthood is associated with high fasting glucose and prediabetes in mid-adulthood in women but not men. The association between social support and prediabetes in women can be partly explained by BMI.

     

Impact of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ao-dake-humi</Emphasis>, Japanese traditional bamboo foot stimulator,on lower urinary tract symptoms,constipation and hypersensitivity to cold: a single-arm prospective pilot study

Background

Ao-dake-humi is a traditional Japanese bamboo foot stimulator consisting of a half-pipe-shaped step made of bamboo used to stimulate the foot by stepping on it, and is commonly used to promote general health among the elderly in Japan. However, its efficacy has not been reported in the scientific literature. This study was performed to investigate the role of ao-dake-humi focusing on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), constipation, and hypersensitivity to cold (HC).

Methods

Participants with LUTS, constipation, or HC were enrolled in this study. Ao-dake-humi was used twice a day for 28 days. Before and 28 days after starting ao-dake-humi use, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QoL) score, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) were measured to evaluate the efficacy of ao-dake-humi on LUTS. To evaluate the objective efficacy of ao-dake-humi on LUTS, a frequency-volume chart (FVC) was plotted in LUTS patients for 3 days. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the efficacy of ao-dake-humi on constipation (VAS-constipation) and HC (VAS-HC) in the participants with constipation or HC.

Results

A total of 24 participants were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one participants had LUTS, 11 had constipation, and 17 participants had HC. IPSS, especially storage-subscore, QoL score and OABSS, decreased significantly after use of ao-dake-humi. The use of ao-dake-humi increased maximal bladder capacity, resulting in a significant decrease in urinary frequency as determined from the FVC. In accordance with the results of VAS-constipation and VAS-HC, both constipation and HC were significantly relieved after ao-dake-humi use.

Conclusion

The results of this prospective pilot study indicated that ao-dake-humi is safe and has therapeutic efficacy in cases of LUTS, constipation and HC. The possibility of using ao-dake-humi as physical neuromodulation therapy was shown in the management of LUTS, constipation and HC.

Trial registration

UMIN000019333 (UMIN-CTR, Registered October-15-2015) retrospectively registered.

     

Inhalative sedation with small tidal volumes under venovenous ECMO

Background

Inhalative sedation is an emerging method for long-term sedation in intensive care therapy. There is evidence that it is easy to control and may be beneficial compared to intravenous sedation. Yet little is known about the use in patients with compromised lung function. In this retrospective analysis, we searched files of patients receiving inhalative sedation under venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (vv-ECMO) support due to lung failure.

Methods

After ethical approval, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients receiving vv-ECMO support and inhalative sedation in the surgical ICU in 2015. Isoflurane was administered via the AnaConDa®-system. Sedation was tested using Richmond Agitation and Sedation scale (RASS).

Results

7 patients were identified. Median age was 50 years (26/70 years). All were male. Median ECMO runtime was 129 h (37/1008 h) and the survival rate was 57.9%. Dose of isoflurane was 1.7 ml/h (0.8 / 4.0 ml/h) resulting in expiratory concentrations of 0.8 Vol% (0.3/1.8 Vol%), inspiratory of 0.6 Vol% (0.1/1.4 Vol%). Higher concentrations of isoflurane were associated with increased depth of sedation (expiratory p?=?0.016; inspiratory p?=?0.027; averaged p?=?0.015). With tidal volume below 350 ml, association was still present for expiratory and averaged concentrations of isoflurane (expiratory p?=?0.031; inspiratory p?=?0.082; average p?=?0.039).

Conclusions

This is the first study that shows that inhalative concentrations of isoflurane are associated with depth of sedation in patients with lung failure. We were able to show that even with major impacts in lung mechanics and function targeted sedation with volatile anaesthetics is feasible and dose–response relationship appears to exist.

     

Headache-Specific Locus of Control and Migraine-Related Quality of Life: Understanding the Role of Anxiety

Purpose

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between headache-specific locus of control (HSLC) and migraine-related quality of life, and anxiety as a mediator of this relationship.

Method

Two hundred and thirty-two people with migraine participated in the treatment of severe migraine trial. At baseline, participants completed self-report questionnaires of headache-specific locus of control (HSLC; subscales?=?internal, chance, and medical professionals), anxiety, and migraine-related quality of life. Correlations examined relationships between HSLC, anxiety, and migraine-related quality of life; ordinary least squares regression evaluated anxiety as a mediator of the relationship between HSLC and migraine-related quality of life.

Results

Higher internal HSLC was related to higher overall migraine-related quality of life (ps?<?.05) and emotion function impairments (p?=?.012). Anxiety mediated the relationship between internal HSLC and all measures of migraine-specific quality of life (ps?<?.05). Higher external (medical professionals and chance) HSLC was related to higher migraine-related quality of life impairments (all ps?<?.001).

Conclusion

All HSLC beliefs are associated with higher migraine-related quality of life impairments. Anxiety mediates the relationship between internal HSLC and migraine-related quality of life.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter bilis</Emphasis>-Associated Suppurative Cholangitis in a Patient with X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia

?

Helicobacter bilis is a commensal bacterium causing chronic hepatitis and colitis in mice. In humans, enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. are associated with chronic hepatobiliary diseases.

Purpose

We aimed at understanding the microbial etiology in a patient with X-linked agammaglobulinemia presenting with suppurative cholangitis.

Methods

16S rDNA PCR directly performed on a liver biopsy retrieved DNA of H. bilis.

Results

Clinical outcome resulted in the normalization of clinical and biological parameters under antibiotic treatment by a combination of ceftriaxone, metronidazole, and doxycyclin followed by a 2-week treatment with moxifloxacin and a 2-month treatment with azithromycin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these data suggest a specific clinical and microbiological approach in patients with humoral deficiency in order to detect H. bilis hepatobiliary diseases.

     

The alpha-lipoic acid derivative DHLHZn: a new therapeutic agent for acute lung injury in vivo

Objective and design

An animal experiment was performed to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of an alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) derivative, dihydrolipoyl histidinate zinc complex (DHLHZn) for acute lung injury (ALI) and to investigate the mechanism of action.

Material

Rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: control group (n = 17), DHLHZn(?) group (n = 11, ALI model rats), and DHLHZn(+) group (n = 12, ALI model rats treated by DHLHZn).

Treatment

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 10 mg/kg) were administered intratracheally in the DHLHZn(?) group and the DHLHZn(+) group. For the DHLHZn(+) group, DHLHZn (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 2 h prior to LPS administration.

Methods

Four hours after LPS administration, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The findings were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Total number of cells, number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, levels of various inflammatory cytokines, and NF-kB p65 concentration of BALF were significantly lower in the DHLHZn(+) group than in the DHLHZn(?) group (p < 0.05). ALI pathology scores were significantly lower in the DHLHZn(+) group than in the DHLHZn(?) group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Anti-inflammatory effects of DHLHZn for ALI were demonstrated by BALF and histopathological findings. The mechanism of action of DHLHZn was considered to be via inhibition of the NF-kB signaling pathway. DHLHZn is thus suggested to be a new prophylactic agent for ALI.

     

Connections of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the thalamus: a probabilistic tractography study

Purpose

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a cortical area involved in higher cognitive functions, and at the center of the pathophysiology of mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Considering these major roles and the development of deep brain stimulation, the object of this study was to assess the patterns of connectivity of the DLPFC with its main subcortical relay, the thalamus, with the help of probabilistic tractography.

Methods

We used T1-weighted imaging and diffusion data from 18 subjects from the Human Connectome Project. The DLPFC and the thalamic nuclear groups were defined using the combination of atlases, sulcogyral anatomy and cytoarchitectonic data. Probabilistic tractography was performed from the DLPFC to the thalamus. The patterns of connectivity were assessed using two indexes: (1) a connectivity index (CI) which evaluate the strength of connection (2) an asymmetry index (AI) which explores the inter-hemispheric variability.

Results

The analysis of CI showed significant connections between the DLPFC and the dorsomedial nuclei (p < 0.05), the anterior nuclear groups (p < 0.05) and the right centromedian nucleus (p < 0.05). No link was found between handedness and AI (p > 0.05). Most of subjects (15/18) had a right predominance of the thalamo cortical connections of the DLPFC.

Conclusions

Probabilistic tractography appears as a valuable non-invasive tool for the exploration of the thalamocortical connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamic nuclei. It allowed to show different inter-hemispheric patterns of connectivity, and highlighted the centromedian nucleus as a key subcortical relay of executive functions.

     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">PTPN22</Emphasis> R263Q polymorphism confers protection against systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis,while <Emphasis Type="Italic">PTPN22</Emphasis> R620W confers susceptibility to Graves’ disease in a Mexican population

Objective

The functional PTPN22 R620W polymorphism (rs2476601) is clearly associated with susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases (ADs). However, the PTPN22 R263Q polymorphism (rs33996649) has been scarcely explored in different ADs. Here we aimed to examine the associations of the PTPN22 R620W and R263Q polymorphisms with susceptibility to or protection against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Graves’ disease (GD) among Mexican patients.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study including 876 patients (405 with SLE, 388 with RA, and 83 with GD) and 336 healthy control individuals. PTPN22 genotypes were determined using the TaqMan 5′ allele discrimination assay.

Results

PTPN22 R620W was associated with GD susceptibility (OR 4.3, p = 0.004), but was not associated with SLE (OR 1.8, p = 0.19). We previously demonstrated that this polymorphism is associated with RA susceptibility (OR 4.17, p = 0.00036). Moreover, PTPN22 R263Q was associated with protection against SLE (OR 0.09, p = 004) and RA (OR 0.28, p = 0.045), but was not associated with GD.

Conclusions

Our data provide the first demonstration that PTPN22 R620W confers GD susceptibility among Latin-American patients. Moreover, this is the second report documenting the association of PTPN22 R263Q with protection against SLE and RA.

     

Clinical characteristics and pertussis costs in cases reported to epidemiological services and cases detected in household contacts in Catalonia (Spain)

Purpose

To assess the clinical characteristics and direct health costs associated with pertussis cases reported to and confirmed by epidemiological services and cases detected among household contacts in Catalonia (Spain) in 2012–2013.

Methods

All pertussis cases confirmed by the epidemiological services (n?=?641) and all cases detected among the household contacts (n?= 422) were included in the study. The chi-square test and odds ratios were used to compare percentages and the t-test was used to compare mean pertussis costs, with p?<?0.05 being considered statistically significant.

Results

Cases reported to epidemiological services had a higher percentage of hospitalizations (OR?=?32.2, p?<?0.001) and severe disease (OR?=?27.7, p?<?0.001) than cases detected among the household contacts. The total health costs associated with pertussis cases were €871,648, €799,704 (92 %) for cases reported to epidemiological services and €71,944 (8 %) for cases detected among the household contacts. Total treatment, detection, and quimiprophylaxis costs were € 809,702, € 44,312, and € 17,635, representing 92.5 %, 5.5 %, and 2 % of total pertussis costs respectively. The mean costs were significantly higher (p?<?0.001) in cases reported to epidemiological services than in cases detected among the household contacts, for all cases (€1248 vs €170), and for severe (€4546 vs €1073), moderate (€204 vs €165), and mild (€153 vs €133) disease.

Conclusions

The burden of pertussis in Catalonia was high in terms of health costs, especially in infants aged less than 1 year. Active epidemiological surveillance activities could prevent pertussis transmisison and reduce pertussis costs.