Genet Mol Res
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We evaluated the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of the genes encoding a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33), cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the susceptibility of developing specific adult phenotypes of bronchial asthma in a Chinese Uygur population. Five SNPs of ADAM33 (T1, T2, and V4), 3 SNPs of CD14 (-1359G/T, -1145G/A, and -159T/C), and 2 SNPs of TLR4 (-896A/G and -1196C/T) were genotyped in a Chinese Uygur sample of 126 adult asthmatic patients and 126 control subjects. Gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. ⋯ The haplotype frequencies of Hap3 (CAC) and Hap4 (CAG) were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P<0.05). Our results suggest that polymorphisms T1, T2, and V4 in ADAM33 may contribute to the susceptibility to asthma. Specific haplotypes of ADAM33 may contribute to a higher susceptibility to asthma in the Chinese Uygur population.
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Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of animals, including humans. The T. gondii eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) protein is expressed in the tachyzoite, but its expression is markedly downregulated in the bradyzoite, and it is therefore considered to be associated with tachyzoite virulence. The present study examined sequence variation in the eIF4A gene among nine strains of different genotypes from different hosts and geographical localities using polymerase chain reaction amplification, sequence analysis, and phylogenetic reconstruction by Bayesian inference. ⋯ Sequence analysis identified 29 (0-0.8%) variable nucleotide positions among all strains, with 16 of these variations located in the coding region, while the other 12 were distributed between the two introns. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these eIF4A sequences were not effective molecular markers for intra-species phylogenetic analysis and differential identification of T. gondii strains from different hosts and geographical locations. This study demonstrated the existence of low sequence variation in the eIF4A gene, suggesting that T. gondii eIF4A may represent a suitable candidate vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
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COL6A1 and BMP-2 genes have been implicated in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) susceptibility in Japanese and Chinese Han populations. However, no study has yet investigated the DNA of unaffected family members of patients with OPLL. This study investigated differences in genetic polymorphisms of BMP-2 and COL6A1 between Korean patients with OPLL and their family members (with and without OPLL). ⋯ This is the first report identifying SNPs of COL6A1 and BMP-2 in Korean patients and family members with OPLL. Although allele and haplotype frequencies were similar with those of a previous study in Japanese and Chinese patients, unaffected family members also showed similar rates of these SNPs in the present study. These results suggest that these SNPs may not directly influence the expression of OPLL.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized trial to compare pain control using oral analgesia with epidural analgesia after cesarean section following combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.
This study aimed to evaluate whether combined oral oxycodone hydrochloride-controlled release tablets plus paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets are more effective than epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control and side effects after cesarean section. We randomly enrolled 60 patients scheduled for cesarean section into either: patient-controlled epidural analgesia with 0.1% ropivacaine+0.1 μg/mL sufentanil (for postoperative 48 h)+injected pethidine on demand (E group); or controlled-release oxycodone (2x15 mg for the first postoperative 24 h; 2x10 mg for the second postoperative 24 h)+paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets (8x1 tablet for the postoperative 48 h) orally+injected pethidine on demand (O group). The E group experienced more evoked pain and uterine cramping pain at all times postoperatively. ⋯ Maternal satisfaction with the analgesia regimen was lower in the E group (P<0.01). The median duration of hospital stay was about 5 days for both groups. Postoperative pain control after cesarean section with oral oxycodone hydrochloride-controlled release tablets plus paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets is preferable to epidural analgesia, even when side effects and maternal satisfaction are taken into account.
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Review Meta Analysis
Vitamin D with asthma and COPD: not a false hope? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are increasingly being recognized in the general population over the last few decades. However, a number of other disorders have now been linked to vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, including asthma and COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence on the effect of vitamin D on asthma and COPD. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significant decrease in lung function in asthmatic children. Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in asthma patients, and vitamin D status was associated with lung function. COPD cannot be considered as completely free of vitamin D deficiency.