Interleukin-10 haplotypes in Celiac Disease in the Spanish population

Background  

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic disorder characterized by a pathological inflammatory response after exposure to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The HLA complex accounts for less than half of the genetic component of the disease, and additional genes must be implicated. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important regulator of mucosal immunity, and several reports have described alterations of IL-10 levels in celiac patients. The IL-10 gene is located on chromosome 1, and its promoter carries several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellites which have been associated to production levels. Our aim was to study the role of those polymorphisms in susceptibility to CD in our population.     

Phenotype delineation of ZNF462 related syndrome

Zinc finger protein 462 (ZNF462) is a relatively newly discovered vertebrate specific protein with known critical roles in embryonic development in animal models. Two case reports and a case series study have described the phenotype of 10 individuals with ZNF462 loss of function variants. Herein, we present 14 new individuals with loss of function variants to the previous studies to delineate the syndrome of loss of function in ZNF462. Collectively, these 24 individuals present with recurring phenotypes that define a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome. Most have some form of developmental delay (79%) and a minority has autism spectrum disorder (33%). Characteristic facial features include ptosis (83%), down slanting palpebral fissures (58%), exaggerated Cupid's bow/wide philtrum (54%), and arched eyebrows (50%). Metopic ridging or craniosynostosis was found in a third of study participants and feeding problems in half. Other phenotype characteristics include dysgenesis of the corpus callosum in 25% of individuals, hypotonia in half, and structural heart defects in 21%. Using facial analysis technology, a computer algorithm applying deep learning was able to accurately differentiate individuals with ZNF462 loss of function variants from individuals with Noonan syndrome and healthy controls. In summary, we describe a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome associated with haploinsufficiency of ZNF462 that has distinct clinical characteristics and facial features.     

Abacavir once or twice daily combined with once-daily lamivudine and efavirenz for the treatment of antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected adults: results of the Ziagen Once Daily in Antiretroviral Combination Study

The long intracellular half-life of abacavir (ABC) supports its once-daily use, and this would be expected to simplify treatment if ABC could be given as part of a complete once-daily regimen. A randomized double-blind clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of 600 mg of ABC administered once daily (n = 384) versus 300 mg of ABC administered twice daily (n = 386) in combination with 300 mg of lamivudine (3TC) and 600 mg of efavirenz (EFV) administered once daily in antiretroviral-naive patients over 48 weeks. The baseline median plasma HIV-1 RNA level was 4.89 log10 copies/mL (44% with viral load >100,000 copies/mL), and the median CD4 cell count was 262 cells/mm. ABC administered once daily was non-inferior to the twice-daily regimen, with 66% and 68% of patients in these respective treatment arms achieving a confirmed plasma HIV-1 RNA level <50 copies/mL (95% confidence interval: -8.4%, 4.9%). The ABC once-daily and twice-daily regimens were similar with respect to infrequency of virologic failure (10% vs. 8%), emergence of resistance mutations, CD4 cell increases from baseline (median, 188 vs. 200 cells/mm), safety profile, and incidence of ABC-related hypersensitivity reactions (9% vs. 7%). ABC administered once daily in combination with 3TC and EFV administered once daily was non-inferior to the ABC twice-daily dosing schedule when combined with 3TC and EFV over 48 weeks.     

Rapid Screening Tests for Determining In Vitro Susceptibility of Herpes Simplex Virus Clinical Isolates

The susceptibility of human herpes simplex virus (HSV) to acyclovir (ACV) was determined with the use of a single dose of the drug (1 and 2 μg of ACV per ml for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively) in two rapid assays: a rapid cytopathic effect inhibitory assay (Rapid CIA) and a rapid dye uptake assay (Rapid DUA). These tests allow the simultaneous determination of virus titer and susceptibility to ACV at a determined viral concentration (100 50% tissue culture infective doses and 100 50% dye uptake units). These tests were compared with a conventional susceptibility assay (dye uptake assay) and showed similar results. Indeterminate results with the Rapid CIA appeared in 3 of 30 samples. With the use of both Rapid CIA and Rapid DUA, we were able to determine the susceptibility of 100% of the isolates. The rapid tests, unlike conventional assays, are able to provide susceptibility results within 3 days after the virus has been isolated from a clinical specimen and could thus play a direct role in therapeutic decisions.     

Population structure and admixture in Cerro Largo, Uruguay, based on blood markers and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms.

Recent studies of the Uruguayan population revealed different amounts of Amerindian and African genetic contributions. Our previous analysis of Afro-Uruguayans from the capital city of the Department of Cerro Largo showed a high proportion of African genes, and the effects of directional mating involving Amerindian women. In this paper, we extended the analysis to a sample of more than 100 individuals representing a random sample of the population of the whole Department. Based on 18 autosomal markers and one X-linked marker, we estimated 82% European, 8% Amerindian, and 10% African contributions to their ancestry, while from seven mitochondrial DNA site-specific polymorphic markers and sequences of hypervariable segment I, we determined 49% European, 30% Amerindian, and 21% African maternal contributions. Directional matings between Amerindian women and European men were detected, but differences involving Africans were not significant. Data about the specific origins of maternal lineages were also provided, and placed in a historical context.     

Comparison of Broth Microdilution Method Using Haemophilus Test Medium and Agar Dilution Method for Susceptibility Testing of Eikenella corrodens

Susceptibility testing of Eikenella corrodens is usually performed by a Mueller-Hinton sheep blood agar dilution (AD) method. However, this method is impractical for testing only a few strains. We compared AD with the broth microdilution method using Haemophilus test medium (HTM) in order to determine the susceptibility of 36 clinical isolates of E. corrodens to eight antimicrobial agents. MICs obtained by the HTM method yielded 95.5 and 84% agreement (within 2 and 1 log₂ dilutions, respectively) with those obtained by AD. The HTM method with incubation in CO₂ for 48 h was highly reproducible and constitutes an easy alternative for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of E. corrodens.