Genetic variability at the TREX1 locus is not associated with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection

Three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) degrades excess HIV-1 DNA, thereby preventing recognition by innate immunity receptors and type I interferon responses. Analyses performed in two HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) cohorts did not show any differences in TREX1 sequence, single nucleotide polymorphisms frequency, or expression in HESN compared to controls, suggesting that, despite its central role in the HIV-1 infection process, genetic diversity at TREX1 is not a major determinant of susceptibility to infection in humans.     

Isolation and characterization of twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci for the topical seagrass, Thalassia hemprichii

Twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the tropical seagrass, Thalassia hemprichii. Microsatellite enriched genomic libraries were constructed and subsequently sequenced using Pacific Biosciences SMRT technology. The 24 loci were characterized in 19 individuals from the Tukang Besi Islands, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia. Observed levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.26 to 0.95 with a mean of 4.7 alleles per locus. No pairs of loci showed evidence of significant linkage disequilibrium and one locus significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectations.     

Does orthodontic treatment provide a real functional improvement? a case control study

Background

Electromyographic analysis of the masticatory muscles provides useful data on the behavior of these muscles during stomatognathic system functioning and allows a functional assessment of orthodontic treatments. This study was undertaken to verify if achieving an Angle Class I bite through orthodontic treatment can lead to neuromuscular balance.

Methods

This study enrolled 30 patients (20 females, 10 males, mean age: 15.78 years) with an Angle Class II, division 1 malocclusion that was orthodontically treated. A group of 30 subjects (19 females, 11 males; mean age: 16.15 years), randomly selected among subjects with an Angle Class II, division 1 malocclusion that had not been orthodontically treated served as the Control group. Both groups were subjected to electromyography to study their neuromuscular characteristics. The Shapiro-Wilk's test revealed a non normal distribution, therefore we used a Friedman two way ANOVA by ranks test to compare differences of surface electromyography values between treated and untreated subjects at closed and open eyes condition.

Results

A statistically significant interaction between orthodontic treatment and open eyes conditions was detected for anterior temporal muscles. A significant imbalance of the anterior temporal muscles, which is indicative of an asymmetric electromyographic pattern, was also found.

Conclusions

The present data indicate that achieving a correct occlusal target does not necessarily correspond to a neuromuscular balance.

     

Prediction of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus based on a twenty-year follow-up of the Ventimiglia heart study

A novel algorithm to predict incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (iT2DM) is presented considering data from a 20-year prospective study in a Southern Italy population. Eight hundred and fifty-eight out of 1,351 subjects (24?C85?years range of age) were selected. Incident type 2 diabetes was diagnosed in 103 patients in a 20-year follow-up. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) and the Framingham Offspring Study simple clinical model (FOS) have been used as reference algorithms. Two custom algorithms have been created using Cox parametric hazard models followed by PROBIT analyses: the first one (VHSRISK) includes all the study subjects and the second one (VHS95RISK) evaluates separately subjects with baseline fasting blood glucose (FBG) above/below 5.2?mmol/L (95?mg/dL). The 44 iT2DM cases below 5.2?mmol/L of baseline FBG were predicted by high LDL cholesterol, metabolic syndrome (ATPIII criteria), BMI?>?30?kg/m², and high factor VII activity. The 59 cases above the FBG threshold were predicted by FBG classes, hypertension, and age. ROC areas for iT2DM prediction were: FINDRISC?=?0.759, FOS?=?0.762, VHSRISK?=?0.789, and VHS95RISK?=?0.803. In a Mediterranean population, the use of a custom generated algorithm evaluating separately low/high FBG subjects improves the prediction of iT2DM in subjects classified at lower risk by common estimation algorithms.     

Plasma fibrinogen levels and restenosis after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Plasma fibrinogen levels influence restenosis following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable angina. It is unknown whether the same is true in the setting of primary PCI. The aim of the study was therefore to assess whether fibrinogen levels were associated to 6-month in-stent restenosis (ISR) in STEMI patients undergoing successful primary PCI. From January 2003 to October 2004, 267 patients were admitted to our Institution for STEMI and treated by primary PCI. Of these, 171 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in our study. Fibrinogen levels were assessed at admission, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h following PCI and at discharge. Six-month angiographic follow-up was 100% complete. Subjects with 6-month ISR showed higher fibrinogen levels than patients without ISR. Patients in the upper fibrinogen tertile showed a higher 6-month incidence of symptoms and/or inducible myocardial ischemia (27.1% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.006) and a larger late lumen loss (1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9 mm, P = 0.049). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant and independent association between fibrinogen levels and ISR. Our study suggests that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are related to ISR in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Larger studies are warranted to assess the prognostic value of fibrinogen over harder end-points.