Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Taif population: a case-control study / Associação de polimorfismos do gene do receptor de vitamina D com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 na população Taif: um estudo de caso-controle

Abstract Several reasons may underlie the dramatic increase in type2 diabetes mellitus. One of these reasons is the genetic basis and variations. Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms are associated with different diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association of two identified mutations ApaI (rs7975232) and TaqI (rs731236). Eighty-nine healthy individuals and Fifty-six Type 2 Diabetic (T2D) patients were investigated using RFLP technique for genotyping and haplotyping as well. The distribution of Apal genotypes was not statistically significant among the control (P=0.65) as well as for diabetic patients (P=0.58). For Taql allele frequencies of T allele was 0.61 where of G allele was 0.39. The frequency distribution of Taql genotypes was not statistically significant among the control (P=0.26) as well as diabetic patients (P=0.17). Relative risk of the allele T of Apa1 gene is 1.28 and the odds ratio of the same allele is 1.53, while both estimates were < 1.0 of the allele G. Similarly, with the Taq1 gene the relative risk and the odds ratio values for the allele T are 1.09 and 1.27 respectively and both estimates of the allele C were 0.86 for the relative risk and 0.79 for the odds ratio. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium between the two SNPs Taq1/apa1 was statistically significant in control group (D = 0.218, D' = 0.925 and P value < 0.001) and similar data in diabetic groups (D = 0.2, D' = 0.875 and P value < 0.001). These data suggest that the T allele of both genes Apa1 and Taq1 is associated with the increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We think that we need a larger number of volunteers to reach a more accurate conclusion.

Resumo Várias razões podem estar subjacentes ao aumento dramático da diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Um desses motivos é a base genética e variações. Os polimorfismos do receptor da vitamina D estão associados a diferentes doenças, como artrite reumatoide e diabetes. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a possível associação de duas mutações identificadas ApaI (rs7975232) e TaqI (rs731236). Oitenta e nove indivíduos saudáveis ​​e 56 pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 (T2D) foram investigados usando a técnica RFLP para genotipagem e haplotipagem também. A distribuição dos genótipos Apal não foi estatisticamente significativa entre o controle (P = 0,65), bem como para os pacientes diabéticos (P = 0,58). Para as frequências do alelo Taql, o alelo T foi de 0,61, onde o alelo G foi de 0,39. A distribuição de frequência dos genótipos Taql não foi estatisticamente significativa entre o controle (P = 0,26), bem como os pacientes diabéticos (P = 0,17). O risco relativo do alelo T do gene Apa1 é 1,28 e a razão de chances do mesmo alelo é 1,53, enquanto ambas as estimativas foram < 1,0 do alelo G. Da mesma forma, com o gene Taq1, os valores de risco relativo e razão de chances para o alelo T são 1,09 e 1,27, respectivamente, e ambas as estimativas do alelo C foram de 0,86 para o risco relativo e 0,79 para o odds ratio. O desequilíbrio de ligação par a par entre os dois SNPs Taq1 / apa1 foi estatisticamente significativo no grupo de controle (D = 0,218, D' = 0,925 e valor P < 0,001) e dados semelhantes em grupos diabéticos (D = 0,2, D' = 0,875 e valor P < 0,001). Esses dados sugerem que o alelo T de ambos os genes Apa1 e Taq1 está associado ao aumento do risco de diabetes tipo 2. Achamos que precisamos de um número maior de voluntários para chegar a uma conclusão mais precisa.

Breastfeeding and autism spectrum disorder: case-control study / Transtorno do espectro do autismo e aleitamento materno: estudo de caso controle

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. Methods: this is a case-control study carried out in the north of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which included 248 children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD (case group) and 886 children and adolescents without a diagnosis of ASD (control group).Interviews were conducted with the mothers of children and adolescents and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. For data analysis, a multiple logistic regression model was adopted. The magnitude of associations was estimated by the odds ratio (OR). Three multiple models were fitted: Model 1: presence or absence of breastfeeding; Model 2: duration of breastfeeding; Model 3: duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: ASD was associated with the absence of breastfeeding in the three adjusted models: Model 1: OR=2.1, CI95%=1.1-4.1; Model 2: OR=2.3, CI95%=1.2-4.5; Model 3: OR=2.3, CI95%=1.2-4.5. Conclusions: individuals with ASD were more likely to have not received breastfeeding, however, due to the nature of case control studies, it cannot be stated that breastfeeding prevents ASD. Conducting a cohort study may clarify this relationship.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a associação entre aleitamento materno e Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (TEA) em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo caso-controle realizado no norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil, que incluiu 248 crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico de TEA (grupo caso) e 886 crianças e adolescentes sem diagnóstico de TEA (grupo controle). Foram realizadas entrevistas com as mães das crianças e adolescentes e utilizado um questionário semiestruturado para coleta dos dados. Para análise dos dados foi adotado modelo de regressão logística múltipla. A magnitude das associações foi estimada pela Odds Ratio (OR). Três modelos múltiplos foram ajustados: Modelo 1: presença ou ausência de aleitamento materno; Modelo 2: duração do aleitamento materno; Modelo 3: duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo. Resultados: o TEA foi associado à ausência de aleitamento materno nos três modelos ajustados: Modelo 1: OR=2,1, IC95%=1,1-4,1; Modelo 2: OR=2,3, IC95%=1,2-4,5; Modelo 3: OR=2,3, IC95%=1,2-4,5. Conclusões: os indivíduos com TEA tiveram maiores chances de não terem recebido aleitamento materno, no entanto, devido à natureza dos estudos de caso-controle, não se pode afirmar que o aleitamento materno previna o TEA. A realização de um estudo de coorte poderá esclarecer essa relação.

Early vs. Standard Loop Ileostomy Closure: An Unmatched Case-Control Study / Cierre Temprano vs Estándar de Ileostomía en Asa. Estudio de Casos y Controles no Emparejado

SUMMARY: Early closure of a loop ileostomy (ECI) is a relatively new practice, for which there is insufficient evidence regarding its effectiveness in relation to closure at conventional times. The aim of this study was to report postoperative complications (POC) and hospital mortality in patients with loop ileostomy (LI) who underwent ECI, compared with patients with LI who underwent late closure. Un- matched case-control study. Patients with LI who underwent surgery at Clínica RedSalud Mayor Temuco (2010-2022) were included. Cases were defined as patients with LI who underwent early closure and controls as subjects who underwent closure at the usual times. No matching was performed, but a 1:1 relationship between cases and controls was considered. Outcome variables were postoperative complications and hospital mortality. Other variables of interest were surgical time and hospital stay. Descriptive statistics were applied with calculation of proportions and measures of central tendency. Subsequently, t-test and Pearson Chi2 for comparison of averages and proportions was applied, and odds ratios and their respective 95 % CI were calculated. In this study 39 patients with AI were operated on (18 cases and 21 controls). Age and BMI average of the studied subjects was 71.3±7.1 years and 27.3±19.8 kg/m2 respectively. Mean LI closure time, surgical time, and hospitalization were: 10.0±0.7 months; 62.5±10.6min; 3.8±0.1 days respectively. POC were only surgical site infections. Three in cases (16.7 %) and 3 in controls (14.3 %). No anastomotic dehiscence or hospital mortality was observed in either cases or controls. There were no differences in comorbidities or surgical site infection between cases and controls (OR of 0.6 and 1.2 respectively) In this experience, the results of performing the CTI were similar to the late closing in relation to the variables studied.

El cierre temprano de una ileostomía en asa (IA), es una práctica relativamente nueva, sobre la que no hay suficiente evidencia respecto de su efectividad en relación con el cierre en tiempos convencionales. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar diferencias en la tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias (CPO) y de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con IA sometidos a cierre temprano comparados con pacientes con IA sometidos a cierre tardío. Estudio de casos y controles sin emparejamiento. Se incluyeron pacientes con IA que fueron sometidos a cirugía en la Clínica RedSalud Mayor Temuco (2010-2022). Los casos se definieron como pacientes con IA sometidos a cierre temprano y los controles como sujetos con IA sometidos a cierre en tiempos habituales. No se realizó emparejamiento. Se consideró una relación 1:1 entre casos y controles. Las variables de resultado fueron CPO y mortalidad hospitalaria. Otras variables de interés fueron: tiempo quirúrgico y hospitalización. Se aplicó estadísticas descriptivas (cálculo de proporciones y medidas de tendencia central). Posteriormente, se aplicó prueba t-test y Chi2 para comparación de promedios y proporciones; y se calcularon odds ratios e intervalos de confianza del 95 %. Se operaron 39 pacientes con IA (18 casos y 21 controles). El promedio de edad e IMC fue 71,3±7,1 años y 27,3±19,8 kg/m2, respectivamente. El tiempo promedio de cierre de IA, tiempo quirúrgico y hospitalización fueron: 10,0±0,7 meses; 62,5±10,6 minutos; 3,8±0,1 días, respectivamente. Las CPO fueron infecciones del sitio quirúrgico (3 casos; 16,7 % y 3 controles; 14,3 %). No se observó dehiscencia anastomótica ni mortalidad hospitalaria en casos ni controles. No hubo diferencias en comorbilidades ni en infecciones del sitio quirúrgico entre casos y controles (OR de 0,6 y 1,2, respectivamente). No se evidenciaron diferencias entre realizar cierre temprano o tardío de IA, respecto de las variables CPO y de mortalidad hospitalaria.

Factors associated with extubation failure in an intensive care unit: a case-control study / Fatores associados à falha de extubação em unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo de caso-controle / Factores asociados al fracaso de la extubación en unidad de cuidados intensivos: estudio de caso y control

Abstract Objective: to investigate the factors associated with extubation failure of patients in the intensive care unit. Method: unpaired, longitudinal, retrospective and quantitative case-control with the participation of 480 patients through clinical parameters for ventilator weaning. Data were analyzed by: Fisher's exact test or the chi-square test; unpaired two-tailed Student's t test; and Mann-Whitney test. Significant P values lower than or equal to 0.05 were admitted. Results: of the patients, 415 (86.5%) were successful and 65 (13.5%) failed. Success group: the most negative fluid balance, APACHE II in 20 (14-25), weak cough in 58 (13.9%). Failure group: the most positive fluid balance, APACHE II in 23 (19-29), weak cough in 31 (47.7%), abundant amount of pulmonary secretions in 47.7%. Conclusion: positive fluid balance and the presence of inefficient cough or inability to clear the airway were predictors of extubation failure.

Resumo Objetivo: investigar os fatores associados à falha de extubação de pacientes na unidade de terapia intensiva. Método: caso-controle não pareado, longitudinal, retrospectivo e quantitativo com a participação de 480 pacientes por meio de parâmetros clínicos para desmame ventilatório. Dados analisados por: Teste Exato de Fisher ou o teste Qui-quadrado; teste t de Student bicaudal não pareado; e teste de Mann-Whitney. Admitiram-se significantes valores de P menores ou iguais a 0,05. Resultados: dos pacientes, 415 (86,5%) tiveram sucesso e 65 (13,5%) falharam. Grupo sucesso: balanço hídrico mais negativo, APACHE II em 20 (14-25), tosse fraca em 58 (13,9%). Grupo falha: balanço hídrico mais positivo, APACHE II em 23 (19-29), tosse fraca em 31 (47,7 %), quantidade abundante de secreção pulmonar em 47,7 %. Conclusão: o balanço hídrico positivo e a presença de tosse ineficiente ou incapacidade de higienizar a via aérea foram preditores de falhas de extubação.

Resumen Objetivo: investigar los factores asociados al fracaso de la extubación de pacientes en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Método: caso y control no apareado, longitudinal, retrospectivo y cuantitativo con la participación de 480 pacientes mediante parámetros clínicos para el destete de la ventilación. Datos analizados por: Prueba Exacta de Fisher o prueba de Chi-cuadrado; prueba t de Student de dos colas para datos no apareados; y prueba de Mann-Whitney. Se admitieron valores de P significativos menores o iguales a 0,05. Resultados: de los pacientes, 415 (86,5%) tuvieron éxito y 65 (13,5%) fracasaron. Grupo de éxito: balance hídrico más negativo, APACHE II en 20 (14-25), tos débil en 58 (13,9%). Grupo de fracaso: balance de líquidos más positivo, APACHE II en 23 (19-29), tos débil en 31 (47,7%), abundante cantidad de secreciones pulmonares en 47,7%. Conclusión: el balance hídrico positivo y la presencia de tos ineficaz o incapacidad para higienizar la vía aérea fueron predictores de fracaso de la extubación.

Efeito da infecção por COVID-19 na via auditiva até tronco encefálico / Effect of COVID-19 infection on the auditory pathway to the brainstem / Efecto de la infección por COVID-19en la vía auditiva hacia el tronco del encéfalo

Introdução: A COVID-19 pode afetar o sistema auditivo, justificando a avaliação da audição de indivíduos infectados. Objetivo: analisar a via auditiva até o tronco encefálico de indivíduos acometidos por COVID-19 comparados ao grupo controle. Método: Estudo observacional transversal analítico realizado em uma amostra não probabilística de adultos que tiveram COVID-19, que foram comparados com um grupo controle, sem queixa auditiva. A avaliação consistiu em: medidas de imitância acústica, audiometria tonal liminar (ATL), emissões otoacústicas evocadas por estímulo transiente (EOET) e potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico (PEATE). Resultados: Foram avaliados 77 indivíduos, sendo, 41 participantes do grupo COVID-19 (idade média de 26,3) e 36 do grupo controle (idade média de 25,8). Os limiares auditivos estavam dentro dos padrões da normalidade para todos os indivíduos do grupo COVID-19, sendo significativamente maiores para as frequências de 1000, 2000 e 3000 Hz à direita. A amplitude das EOET foi significativamente menor na banda de frequência de 1500 à direita. Houve correlação significativa e negativa para as frequências de 1000 Hz e 3000 Hz à direita e para as frequências de 1000, 2000 e 3000 Hz à esquerda, entre EOET e ATL. Foi verificado aumento da latência absoluta da onda I, do PEATE, na orelha esquerda. Conclusão: a COVID-19 afetou locais específicos do sistema auditivo. Houve diminuição da acuidade auditiva e do funcionamento das células ciliadas externas da cóclea, bem como aumento do tempo de condução neural do som na porção distal do VII par craniano à esquerda. (AU)

Introduction: COVID-19 can affect the auditory system, justifying the evaluation of the hearing of infected individuals. Objective: to analyze the auditory pathway to the brainstem of individuals affected by COVID-19 compared to the control group. Method: Analytical cross-sectional observational study carried out in a non-probabilistic sample of adults who had COVID-19, who were compared with a control group, without hearing complaints. The evaluation consisted of: acoustic immittance measurements, pure tone audiometry (PTA), transient stimulus-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP). Results: 77 individuals were evaluated, 41 participants in the COVID-19 group (average age of 26.3) and 36 in the control group (average age of 25.8). Hearing thresholds were within normal limits for all individuals in the COVID-19 group, being significantly higher for the frequencies of 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz on the right. TEOAE amplitude was significantly lower in the 1500 frequency band on the right. There was a significant and negative correlation for the frequencies of 1000 Hz and 3000 Hz on the right and for the frequencies of 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz on the left, between TEOAE and PTA. An increase in the absolute latency of wave I, of the BAEP, was observed in the left ear. Conclusion: COVID-19 affected specific locations in the auditory system. There was a decrease in auditory acuity and the functioning of the outer hair cells of the cochlea, as well as an increase in the neural conduction time of sound in the distal portion of the VII cranial nerve on the left. (AU)

Introducción: COVID-19 puede afectar el sistema auditivo, justificando la evaluación de la audición de individuos infectados. Objetivo: analizar la vía auditiva hacia el tronco encefálico de individuos afectados por COVID-19 en comparación con el grupo control. Método: Estudio observacional analítico transversal realizado en una muestra no probabilística de adultos que padecieron COVID-19, quienes fueron comparados con un grupo control, sin escuchar quejas. La evaluación consistió en: mediciones de inmitancia acústica, audiometría de tonos puros (ATP), otoemisiones acústicas provocadas por estímulos transitorios (OAET) y potenciales evocados auditivos del tronco encefálico (PEATE). Resultados: Se evaluaron 77 individuos, 41 participantes en el grupo COVID-19 (edad promedio de 26,3 años) y 36 en el grupo control (edad promedio de 25,8 años). Los umbrales de audición estaban dentro de los límites normales para todos los individuos del grupo de COVID-19, siendo significativamente más altos para las frecuencias de 1000, 2000 y 3000 Hz de la derecha. La amplitud de OAET fue significativamente menor en la banda de frecuencia de 1500 de la derecha. Hubo correlación significativa y negativa para las frecuencias de 1000 Hz y 3000 Hz a la derecha y para las frecuencias de 1000, 2000 y 3000 Hz a la izquierda, entre OAET y ATP. Se observó un aumento de la latencia absoluta de la onda I, del PEATE, en el oído izquierdo. Conclusión: COVID-19 afectó ubicaciones específicas del sistema auditivo. Hubo una disminución de la agudeza auditiva y del funcionamiento de las células ciliadas externas de la cóclea, así como un aumento del tiempo de conducción neural del sonido en la porción distal del VII par craneal izquierdo. (AU)

Análisis de la incidencia de pubertad precoz central tratada con análogos de hormona liberadora de gonadotrofina. Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 / Analysis of the incidence of central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción. Desde inicios de la pandemia por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), fue comunicado en varios países un incremento de las consultas de niñas con pubertad precoz central idiopática (PPCI), sin que contáramos con datos argentinos. Este aumento estaría vinculado con los cambios en el estilo de vida y los niveles de estrés resultantes del aislamiento que afectó particularmente a la población infantil. Objetivos. 1) Describir la evolución de la incidencia de PPCI con requerimiento de inhibición del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-gonadal (EHHG) en niñas entre 2010 y 2021 en una cohorte del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. 2) Comparar las características de las niñas, con dicho diagnóstico realizado durante la pandemia, con las de un grupo control. Métodos. Serie de tiempo interrumpida y estudio de casos y controles. Resultados. La incidencia anual fue estable entre 2010 y 2017. Desde 2017 hubo un ascenso anual que promedió el 59,9 % (IC95 % 18,6-115,5) y pareciera haberse acelerado durante la pandemia. Constatamos asociación entre haber desarrollado PPCI y haber requerido tratamiento inhibitorio entre el 01 de junio de 2020 y el 31 de mayo de 2021, y dos variables: edad de menarca materna (OR 0,46; IC95 % 0,28-0,77) y antecedente familiar de PPCI (OR 4,42; IC95 % 1,16-16,86). Conclusión. Evidenciamos desde 2017 un aumento significativo en la incidencia de PPCI con requerimiento de inhibición del EHHG. El incremento en la exposición a diversos desencadenantes ambientales durante la pandemia por COVID-19 podría haber ejercido mayor influencia en las niñas con alguna predisposición genética.

Introduction. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, consultations of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) increased in several countries, but there were no data from Argentina. This increase may be related to changes in lifestyle and stress levels resulting from the lockdown, which particularly affected the child population. Objectives. 1) To describe the progression of the incidence of ICPP requiring inhibition of the hypothalamic- pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in girls between 2010 and 2021 in a cohort from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. 2) To compare the characteristics of girls diagnosed with ICPP during the pandemic with those of a control group. Methods. Interrupted time-series and case-control study. Results. The annual incidence remained stable between 2010 and 2017. Since 2017, it increased to an average of 59.9% (95% CI: 18.6­115.5) and appears to have accelerated during the pandemic. We found an association between ICPP and requiring inhibitory treatment between June 1 st, 2020 andMay 31 st, 2021 and 2 variables: maternal age at menarche (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28­0.77) and family history of ICPP (OR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.16­16.86). Conclusion. We evidenced a significant increase in the incidence of ICPP with requirement of HPG axis inhibition since 2017. Increased exposure to various environmental triggers during the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a greater influence in girls with some genetic predisposition.

Assessment of depression, stress, anxiety and oral health-related quality of life in individuals with sjögren's syndrome: case control pilot study / Evaluación de la depresión, el estrés, la ansiedad y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal en personas con síndrome de Sjögren: estudio piloto de casos y controles

Objective: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic auto-immune inflammatory systemic disease, in which the infiltration of mo-nonuclear cells in the exocrine glands leads to physiological and morphological changes. This pilot case-control study aims to describe the profile, evaluate the oral condition, quality of life (QoL) and psychological condition, through complete clinical examination, OHIP-14 and DASS-21 questionnaires. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with seven individuals with a final diagnosis of SS (case group [CG]), and seven individuals with symptoms of dry mouth (control group [GCO]), consulting at the institution from January to November 2021. participants were selected by free demand and those previously seen at the institution with a diagnosis of SS between 19 and 70 years of age. The questionnaire OHIP-14 was applied to assess the patient's quality of life, where seven dimensions are assessed, subdivided into 14 questions through the Lickert scale (0 to 4) assigned by the individual and which quantifies the impact of oral health on QoL. The questionnaire DASS-21 assessed the psychological condition of the patient, which presents seven questions for each emotional state (depression, anxiety, and stress), totaling 21 questions. The general clinical condition, evolution of SS, oral clinical condition, and the profile of this population were related to QoL factors and psychological conditions, using these assessment instruments. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding stimulated salivary flow. The only symptom with a statistically significant difference in the CG was difficulty in phonation (p< 0.001). The dimensions related to functional limitation and physical pain showed the most expressive results (p=0.004) (p=0.025), showing a strong negative impact on the QoL of the CG individuals, and the dimension related to disability was the least affected (p=0.684). The analysis of depression, anxiety, and stress did not show statistically significant results between the groups; however, in the CG, 5 (71.42%) individuals showed a severe degree of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: Individuals in the case group showed some changes, with a strong negative impact on QoL compared to the control group.

Objetivo: El síndrome de Sjögren (SS) es una enfermedad inflamatoria sistémica crónica autoinmune, en la que la infiltración de células mononucleares en las glándulas exocrinas provoca cambios fisiológicos y morfológicos. Este estudio piloto de casos y controles tiene como objetivo describir el perfil, evaluar la condición bucal, calidad de vida (CdV) y condición psicológica, mediante examen clínico completo, cuestionarios OHIP-14 y DASS-21. Materiales y Métodos: El estudio se realizó con 7 individuos con diagnóstico final de SS, grupo de casos (CG) y 7 individuos con síntomas de sequedad bucal, grupo control (GCO) atendidos en la institución de enero a noviembre de 2021. Los participantes fueron seleccionados por libre demanda y entre los atendidos previamente en la institución con diagnóstico de SS entre 19 y 70 años de edad. Para evaluar la calidad de vida del paciente se aplicó el cuestionario OHIP-14, donde se evalúan siete dimensiones, sub-divididas en 14 preguntas a través de la escala de Likert (0 a 4) asignada por el individuo y que cuantifica el impacto de la salud bucal en la calidad de vida. El cuestionario DASS-21 evaluó la condición psicológica del paciente, el cual presenta siete preguntas para cada estado emocional (depresión, ansiedad y estrés), totalizando 21 preguntas. El estado clínico general, la evolución del SS, el estado clínico bucal y el perfil de esta población se relacionaron con factores de calidad de vida y condiciones psicológicas, mediante estos instrumentos de evaluación. Resultados: En cuanto al flujo salival estimulado, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. El único síntoma que mostró diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el CG fue la dificultad en la fonación (p< 0,001). Las dimensiones relacionadas con limitación funcional y dolor físico mostraron los resultados más expresivos (p=0,004) (p=0,025), mostrando un fuerte impacto negativo en la CdV de los individuos del GC, y la dimensión relacionada con discapacidad fue la menos afectada (p=0,684). El análisis de depresión, ansiedad y estrés no mostró resultados estadísticamente significativos entre los grupos; sin embargo, en el GC, 5 (71,42%) individuos presentaron un grado severo de depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Conclusión: Se puede concluir que los individuos del grupo de casos mostraron algunos cambios, con un fuerte impacto negativo en la calidad de vida en comparación con el grupo de control.

Relationship between optical coherence tomography findings and clinical variables in patients with opiate use disorder / Relação entre os achados da tomografia de coerência óptica e as variáveis clínicas em pacientes com transtorno por uso de opiáceos

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to examine optical coherence tomography findings in patients with opiate use disorder by comparing them with healthy controls. Methods: The study included 30 opiate use disorder patients and 30 controls. The participants' detailed biomicroscopic examinations, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and both eye examinations were evaluated. A total of 120 eyes were evaluated using optical coherence tomography, measuring the central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, mean macular volume and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Moreover, all participants filled in the demographic data form and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Results: Upon examination of the optical coherence tomography findings, central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, and mean macular volume were thinner in both eyes in patients with opiate use disorder (p<0.01 in all measurements in both eyes). Similarly, the total values of the superior quadrant and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were statistically significant in both eyes compared to that in the control group (p=0.007, p=0.002; p=0.049, p=0.007, in the right and left eyes, respectively). Only the left eye was positively correlated with retinal nerve fiber layer superior quadrant measurement and hospitalization (r=0.380, p=0.039). Conclusion: Our results revealed that the patients' central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, and mean macular volume values were thinner. Increase in the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness superior quadrant thickness and total value was also observed. Further studies with larger sampling groups that evaluate neuroimaging findings should be conducted.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo foi investigar foi, os achados da tomografia de coerência óptica em pacientes com transtorno do uso de opiáceos, comparando-os com controles saudáveis. Métodos: O estudo incluiu 30 pacientes com transtorno do uso de opiáceos e 30 controles. Os exames biomicroscópicos detalhados de todos os participantes, acuidade visual, pressão intraocular e ambos os exames oculares foram avaliados com tomografia de coerência óptica. Um total de 120 olhos foram avaliados usando tomografia de coerência óptica, e a espessura macular central, espessura macular média, volume macular médio e a espessura da camada de fibra nervosa da retina dos participantes foram medidos. Além disso, todos os participantes preencheram o Formulário de Dados Demográficos e a Escala de Impulsividade Barratt (BIS-11). Resultados: Quando os achados de tomografia de coerência óptica foram examinados, espessura macular central, espessura macular média e volume macular médio eram mais finos de acordo com controles saudáveis em ambos os olhos em pacientes com transtorno do uso de opiáceos (p<0,01 em todas as medições em ambos os olhos). Da mesma forma, os valores totais do quadrante superior e espessura da camada de fibra nervosa da retina estavam mais em níveis estatisticamente significativos em ambos os olhos em comparação com o grupo controle (p=0,007, p=0,002; p=0,049, p=0,007, no olho direito e esquerdo, respectivamente). Estar internado em hospital e apenas a medida do quadrante superior da espessura da camada de fibra nervosa da retina do olho esquerdo associou-se positivamente (r=0,380, p=0,039). Conclusão: Em nossos resultados, descobrimos que os valores de espessura macular central, espessura macular média e volume macular médio dos pacientes eram mais finos. Verificamos também espessamento no quadrante superior e valor total da espessura da camada de fibra nervosa da retina. Nosso estudo deve ser apoiado por novos estudos com grupos de amostragem maiores, nos quais os achados de neuroimagem são avaliados.

The relationship between reduced choroidal thickness due to high plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and increased severity of diabetic retinopathy / Altos níveis de dimetil-arginina assimétrica no plasma podem aumentar a gravidade da retinopatia diabética através da redução da espessura da coroide

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness and plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and the severity of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 68 cases, including 15 patients without diabetic retinopathy, 17 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, 16 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 20 healthy patients (control group), were enrolled in this study. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured manually using the enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography scanning program, and plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level was measured using a commercial micro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The subfoveal choroidal thickness values and plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine levels were significantly different between the four groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001). The subfoveal choroidal thickness values were significantly lower in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy group than in the other three groups (no diabetic retinopathy, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and control groups; p<0.001, p=0.045, and p<0.001, respectively). The plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine levels were significantly higher in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy group than in the other three groups (p<0.001, p<0.04, and p<0.001, respectively). In addition, a significant negative correlation was also found between plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and subfoveal choroidal thickness (p<0.001, r=-0.479). Conclusion: Asymmetrical dimethylarginine is an important marker of endothelial dysfunction and endogenous endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The severity of diabetic retinopathy was related to increased plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine level and reduced subfoveal choroidal thickness in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a relação da espessura subfoveal da coroide e dos níveis plasmáticos de dimetil-arginina assimétrica com a gravidade da retinopatia diabética em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: Foram incluídos 68 casos, compreendendo 15 pacientes sem retinopatia diabética, 17 pacientes com retinopatia diabética não proliferativa, 16 pacientes com retinopatia diabética proliferativa, e 20 casos saudáveis (grupo de controle). A espessura subfoveal da coroide foi medida manualmente, usando o programa de varredura com tomografia computadorizada óptica com imagem profunda aprimorada, e os níveis plasmáticos de dimetil-arginina assimétrica foram medidos usando um kit microELISA comercial. Resultados: Os valores da espessura subfoveal da coroide e os níveis plasmáticos de dimetil-arginina assimétrica foram significativamente diferentes nos quatro grupos (p<0,001 para ambos os parâmetros). Os valores da espessura subfoveal da coroide foram significativamente menores no grupo com retinopatia diabética proliferativa do que nos outros três grupos (sem retinopatia diabética, retinopatia diabética não proliferativa e grupo de controle, com p<0,001, p=0,045 e p<0,001, respectivamente). Já os níveis plasmáticos de dimetil-arginina assimétrica foram significativamente maiores no grupo com retinopatia diabética proliferativa do que nos outros três grupos (p<0,001, p=0,04 e p<0,001, respectivamente). Além disso, também foi encontrada uma correlação negativa significativa entre os níveis plasmáticos de dimetil-arginina assimétrica e a espessura subfoveal da coroide (p<0,001, r=-0,479). Conclusão: A dimetil-arginina assimétrica é um importante marcador de disfunção endotelial e um inibidor endógeno da óxido nítrico sintase. Foi encontrada uma relação da gravidade da retinopatia diabética e de níveis elevados de dimetil-arginina assimétrica no plasma com a redução da espessura subfoveal da coroide em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 com retinopatia diabética.

Estudio de prevalencia de retinopatía diabética en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 de la comuna de Puerto Montt y sus factores asociados / Frequency of diabetic retinopathy and associated factors in Puerto Montt, Chile

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of decreased visual acuity, whose prevalence has increased between 1990 and 2020. In Chile the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was estimated at 24.8%. AIM: To assess the prevalence of DR in a southern Chilean city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a database of diabetic patients attending primary health care centers at Puerto Montt, Chile, 196 patients with DR and 392 patients without DR, matched by age and presence of chronic complications, were chosen for this case-control study. RESULTS: The prevalence of DR in the database of diabetic patients was 33.3%. glycated hemoglobin, the frequency insulin use, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, microalbuminuria, and proteinuria were significantly worse in cases. A multivariate analysis showed that retinopathy is much more likely to occur when the variables insulin use, neuropathy, and microalbuminuria concur. CONCLUSIONS: DR was associated with worse metabolic parameters and the presence of neuropathy in this case control study.

Serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 level is positively correlated with the recurrence risk of acute ischemic cerebral infarction in hypertensive patients / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the relationship between serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) level and the risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) recurrence in hypertensive patients.@*METHODS@#This retrospective case-control study was conducted among 211 hypertensive patients with AIS treated in Foshan First People's Hospital, including 35 patients with recurrence of AIS during the 1-year follow-up as confirmed by head CT/MR. In the overall patients, 60 had grade 1 hypertension (including 5 recurrent cases), 76 had grade 2 hypertension (with 11 recurrent cases), and 75 had grade 3 hypertension (with 19 recurrent cases). Univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, trend analysis, and smooth curve fitting analysis were performed to explore the correlation between serum Lp-PLA2 level within 24 h after admission and the risk of AIS recurrence. The predictive efficacy of serum Lp-PLA2 level for AIS recurrence in different hypertension grades was evaluated using ROC curve analysis.@*RESULTS@#Serum Lp-PLA2 level, age, NIHSS score at admission, mRS scores at 7 days, homocysteine level and smoking status differed significantly between patients with and without AIS recurrence (P < 0.05). After adjustment for confounding factors, multivariate regression analysis showed that the highest tertile of Lp-PLA2 level was associated with a 4.13-fold increase of AIS recurrence risk compared with the lowest tertile (OR=5.13, 95% CI: 1.35-19.40), and each 1 ng/mL increase of Lp-PLA2 level was associated with a 1% increase of AIS recurrence risk (OR= 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02). Serum Lp-PLA2 level was shown to positively correlate with AIS recurrence risk, and in patients with grade 3 hypertension, its areas under the ROC curve for predicting AIS recurrence was 0.869 with a specificity of 0.893 and a sensitivity of 0.737.@*CONCLUSION@#Serum Lp-PLA2 concentration is an independent risk factor and potentially an effective predictor for AIS recurrence in patients with grade 3 hypertension.

AF4/FMR2 and IL-10 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms are correlated with disease susceptibility and immune infiltration in ankylosing spondylitis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the correlation of polymorphisms of AF4/FMR2 family genes and IL-10 gene with genetic susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and identify the high-risk factors of AS.@*METHODS@#This case-control study was conducted among 207 AS patients and 321 healthy individuals. The tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs340630, rs241084, rs10865035, rs1698105, and rs1800896 of the AF4/FMR2 family gene and IL-10 gene of the AS patients were genotyped, and the distribution frequencies of the genotypes and alleles were analyzed to explore the relationship between different genetic models and AS and the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.@*RESULTS@#Gender ratio, smoking history, drinking history, hypertension, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein differed significantly between the case group and the control group (P < 0.05). The dominant model and recessive model of AFF1 rs340630, the recessive model of AFF3 rs10865035, and the recessive model of IL-10 rs1800896 were significantly different between the two groups (P=0.031, 0.010, 0.031, and 0.019, respectively). Gene-environment interaction analysis suggested that the interaction model incorporating AFF1 rs340630, AFF2 rs241084, AFF3 rs10865035, AFF4 rs1698105, IL-10 rs1800896, smoking history and drinking history was the best model. The genes related with AF4/FMR2 and IL-10 were enriched in the biological processes of AF4 super extension complex, interleukin family signal transduction, cytokine stimulation and apoptosis. The expression levels of AF4/FMR2 and IL-10 were positively correlated with immune infiltration (r > 0).@*CONCLUSION@#The SNPs of AF4/FMR2 and IL-10 genes are associated with the susceptibility to AS, and the interactions of AF4/FMR2 and IL-10 genes with the environmental factors contributes causes AS through immune infiltration.

A preliminary study on salivary microbiota of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of salivary microbiota in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Methods: A case-control study was applied to enroll 60 patients and healthy subjects who were outpatients of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Eighth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from December 2020 to March 2021, including 35 males and 25 females, aged from 21 to 80 (33.75±11.10) years. Thirty patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux were selected as study group and thirty healthy volunteers without pharyngeal symptoms were selected as control group. Their salivary samples were collected, and the salivary microbiota was detected and analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. SPSS 18.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in the diversity of salivary microbiota between the two groups. At the phylum classification level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in the study group was higher than that in the control group[37.86(31.15, 41.54)% vs 30.24(25.51, 34.18)%,Z=-3.46,P<0.01]. And the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the study group was lower than that in the control group [15.76(11.81, 20.17)% vs 20.63(13.98, 28.82)%, Z=-1.98,P<0.05]. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Parascardovia and Sphingobium in the study group was higher than that in the control group(Z values were-2.92, -2.69, -2.05, -2.31, respectively, P<0.05).And the relative abundance of Streptococcus, Cardiobacterium, Klebsiella and Uruburuella of study group was lower than that of control group(Z values were -2.43, -2.32, -2.17, -2.32, respectively, P<0.05). LEfSe difference analysis showed that there were 39 bacteria with significant differences between the two groups, including Bacteroidetes, Prevotellaceae and Prevotella, which were enriched in the study group, and Streptococcaceae, Streptococcus and other taxa, which were enriched in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: The changes of the microflora in the saliva between LPR patients and healthy people suggest that the dysbacteriosis might exist in LPR patients, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of LPR.

Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors of hepatic fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B combined with metabolic-related fatty liver disease / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To compare the clinical and pathological features of children with chronic viral hepatitis B combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (CHB-MAFLD) and chronic viral hepatitis B alone (CHB alone), and to further explore the effect of MAFLD on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in CHB. Methods: 701 initially treated CHB children confirmed by liver biopsy admitted to the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2010 to December 2021 were collected continuously. They were divided into CHB-MAFLD and CHB-alone groups according to whether they were combined with MAFLD. A retrospective case-control study was conducted. CHB-MAFLD was used as the case group, and 1:2 propensity score matching was performed with the CHB alone group according to age and gender, including 56 cases in the CHB-MAFLD group and 112 cases in the CHB alone group. The body mass index (BMI), metabolic complications, laboratory indicators, and pathological characteristics of liver tissue were compared between the two groups. The related factors affecting liver disease progression in CHB were analyzed by a binary logistic regression model. The measurement data between groups were compared using the t-test and rank sum test. The χ (2) test was used for the comparison of categorical data between groups. Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, P = 0.032) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, P = 0.003) levels were lower in the CHB-MAFLD group than those in the CHB alone group, while BMI (P < 0.001), triglyceride (TG, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (P = 0.016) and the incidence of metabolic syndrome (P < 0.001) were higher in the CHB alone group. There were no statistically significant differences in HBsAg quantification or HBV DNA load between the two groups (P > 0.05). Histologically, the proportion of significant liver fibrosis (S2-S4) was higher in the CHB-MAFLD group than that in the CHB alone group (67.9% vs. 49.1%, χ (2) = 5.311, P = 0.021). Multivariate regression results showed that BMI (OR = 1.258, 95% CI: 1.145 ~ 1.381, P = 0.001) and TG (OR = 12.334, 95% CI: 3.973 ~ 38.286, P < 0.001) were the risk factors for hepatic steatosis occurrence in children with CHB. MAFLD (OR = 4.104, 95% CI: 1.703 ~ 9.889, P = 0.002), liver inflammation (OR = 3.557, 95% CI: 1.553 ~ 8.144, P = 0.003), and γ-glutamyl transferase (OR = 1.019, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.038, P = 0.038) were independent risk factors for significant hepatic fibrosis in children with CH. Conclusion: MAFLD occurrence is related to metabolic factors in children with CHB. Additionally, the combination of MAFLD may promote liver fibrosis progression in CHB patients.

Correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and Crohn's disease activity / 中华内科杂志

Objective: By investigating the correlation between quantitative parameters of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and commonly used activity assessment indicators of Crohn's disease (CD), and comparing the predictive power of laboratory inflammatory indicators with CEUS on Crohn's disease (CD), the significance of CEUS was evaluated. Methods: A case-control study. From October 2019 to December 2021, the clinical data of 67 patients with CD who were diagnosed by endoscopy and underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were retrospectively analyzed in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, and their routine ultrasound and CEUS parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fecal calprotectin (FC), Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) were collected. Using SES-CD as the standard, the patients were divided into a remission group and an active group, and the correlation of laboratory inflammatory indexes and contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters with CDAI and SES-CD were evaluated. Besides, the ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of each index on CD endoscopic activity. Results: A total of 67 patients were included in this study. According to the SES-CD score, there were 17 patients in the remission group and 50 patients in the active group. Except for the coefficient of the enhancement wash in slope and time to peak (TTP), the peak intensity (PI), area under the angiography curve, and laboratory inflammatory indexes were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05), which also showed a moderate positive correlation with CDAI and SES-CD (P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that among the non-invasive indicators, PI and area under the angiography curve had the highest AUCs for predicting CD endoscopic activity, which were 0.912 and 0.891, respectively; with SES-CD taking >3 as the cut-off value, the corresponding sensitivities were 78.0% and 72.0%, with specificities of 100.0% and 94.1%, respectively. Conclusion: CEUS can objectively and repeatedly evaluate the disease activity of CD patients, and has great clinical application value, which can be used as a reliable imaging method for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease.

A case-control study on the association between a healthy lifestyle and obesity among adult twins in Shanghai / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the associations between the numbers of healthy lifestyles and overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in adult twins in Shanghai. Methods: Based on the Shanghai Twin Registry System Phase Ⅱ survey data in 2017-2018, a case-control study was conducted to analyze the association between healthy lifestyles and obesity and further adjusted for confounders by a co-twin control study. Results: A total of 7 864 adult twins (3 932 pairs) were included. In the co-twin case-control analysis for monozygotic twins, compared with participants with 0 to 2 healthy lifestyles, those with 3 and 4 to 5 healthy lifestyles had a 49% (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.28-0.93) and 70% (OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.13-0.69) lower risk of overweight/obesity, respectively, and a 17% (OR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.44-1.57) and 66% (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.14-0.80) lower risk of abdominal obesity, respectively. For each additional healthy lifestyle, the risk of developing overweight/obesity was reduced by 41% (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.42-0.85), and the risk of developing abdominal obesity was reduced by 37% (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.44-0.90). Conclusion: An increasing number of healthy lifestyles was associated with a marked decreased risk for both overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity.

Effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant in Guangdong Province / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant. Methods: A total of 1 403 Omicron-infected patients admitted to 20 designated hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 1 to May 31, 2022, were selected as subjects in this study. A case-control study was conducted to collect the demographic data, underlying disease, vaccination status, last exposure date, gene sequencing of infected strains and clinical outcomes from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System and Guangdong telemedicine platform. Pneumonia (common, severe and critical) and non-pneumonia (asymptomatic and mild) were selected as the case group and control group. The effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant was analyzed. Results: The median age [M (Q1, Q3)] of the subjects was 36 (27-47) years old, with males accounting for 52.25% (733 cases). The main outcome of the infection was non-pneumonia, accounting for 92.09% (1 292 cases), and the duration [M (Q1, Q3)] of the disease was 18 (14-22) days. There were 134 (9.55%), 39 (2.78%), 403 (28.72%), 437 (31.15%) and 390 (27.80%) cases with no or partial vaccination, within 90 days of primary vaccination, over 90 days of primary vaccination, within 90 days of booster vaccination and over 90 days of booster vaccination, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, underlying disease, and location of the report, compared with those with no or partial vaccination, the risk of developing pneumonia was lower in those with over 90 days of primary vaccination, within 90 days of booster vaccination and over 90 days of booster vaccination [OR (95%CI) values were 0.52 (0.28-0.98), 0.39 (0.21-0.73) and 0.40 (0.21-0.77), respectively]. Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, underlying disease and location of the report, the duration of the disease was shorter in those who received booster vaccinated for more than 90 days compared with that in those who had no or partial vaccination [HR (95%CI): 1.26 (1.03-1.55)]. Conclusion: The inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine affects the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant.

Association of circulating levels of soluble PD-1, PD-1 gene polymorphisms with HBV infection and HBV infection-associated hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the association of circulating sPD-1 level and PD-1 gene polymorphisms with HBV infection and HBV infection-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. A total of 237 chronic HBV infection cases and 138 HBV infection-associated hepatocellular carcinoma in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from 2018 to 2021 were selected as the case group. About 250 individuals who visited a hospital physical examination center for routine physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. Plasma sPD-1 levels were measured by using an ELISA kit and genotyping was performed by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The association of sPD-1 levels and PD-1 polymorphisms with HBV infection as well as HBV infection-associated hepatocellular carcinoma was analyzed by using logistic regression models after adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, ALT and AST levels. The sPD-1 level and PD-1 polymorphisms were independent variables, and HBV infection was the dependent variable. Results: The age of 237 chronic HBV infections, 138 HBV infection-related liver cancer case subjects and 250 control subjects in the study was (49.1±10.8), (51.9±12.7) and (50.7±11.9) years, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that with a 1 pg/ml increase in sPD-1 level, the OR (95%CI) values for the risk of incident HBV infection cases and HBV hepatocellular carcinoma cases were 1.92 (1.68-2.19) and 2.02 (1.69-2.40). For rs2227981, compared with the CC genotype, the TT genotype had a lower risk of HBV infection and liver cancer associated with HBV infection, with OR (95%CI) values of 0.45 (0.22-0.91) and 0.35 (0.14-0.91). For rs2227982, compared with the CC genotype, the CT and TT genotypes also had a lower risk of HBV infection [OR (95%CI) values of 0.72 (0.53-0.97) and 0.57 (0.35-0.93)] and HBV infection-related liver cancer [OR (95%CI) values of 0.64 (0.45-0.92) and 0.52 (0.29-0.93)]. Conclusions: Plasma sPD-1 levels and PD-1 gene polymorphisms are associated with HBV infection and HBV infection-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Study on the characteristics of Aspergillus fumigatus-sensitized asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of Aspergillus fumigatus(A.f)-sensitized asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which provides a foundation for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of A.f-sensitized asthma and ABPA, as well as the prevention of ABPA. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective case-control study. Collected the clinical data of patients who visited the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2018 to May 2022.A total of 122 patients were included, including 64 males (52.5%) and 58 females (47.5%).The age range was 3 to 89 years.The median age was 44 years.The average age was 41.8 years.The patients were divided into three groups (48 ABPA, 35 A.f-sensitized asthma and 39 HDM-sensitized asthma).Analyzed the differences and correlations among clinical indicators in the three groups, and evaluated the risk factors for the development of ABPA in A.f-sensitized asthma.For statistical analysis, metrological data was tested by t-test or Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney. Classification variables by chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Pearson correlation analysis for normal distribution data.Spearman correlation analysis for skewed distribution data. Influencing factor analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was made, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated, and the sensitivity and specificity of the model were evaluated. Results: Compared with patients with A.f-sensitized asthma, the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) [75.00(52.00, 87.00)ppb vs. 40.00(32.00, 52.00)ppb], eosinophils% (EO%) [10.60(6.75, 13.05) vs. 4.10(1.20, 7.30)], eosinophils (EO) [1.50(1.07, 2.20)×109/L vs. 0.33(0.10, 0.54)×109/L], A.f-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) [10.24(4.09, 22.88)KU/L vs. 1.13(0.53, 3.72) KU/L], and sIgE to total IgE(tIgE) ratio (sIgE/tIgE) [0.0049(0.0027, 0.0100) vs. 0.0008(0.0004, 0.0017)] were higher in ABPA patients, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). In all patients, tIgE was positively correlated with EO% (r=0.206, P<0.05) and EO (r=0.302, P<0.001). sIgE/tIgE was negatively correlated with one-second rate (FEV1/FVC%) (r=-0.256, P<0.01). The percentage of predicted forced vital capacity [FVC(%)] was negatively correlated with FeNO (r=-0.184, P<0.05).In the ABPA group, the percentage of predicted peak expiratory flow [PEF(%)] was negatively correlated with FeNO (r=-0.295, P<0.05). In the HDM-sensitized asthma group, FeNO was positively correlated with EO% (r=0.49, P<0.01) and EO (r=0.548, P<0.001).The results of logistic regression analysis showed that FeNO and EO were the influencing factors for the development of ABPA in A.f-sensitized asthma. ROC curve analysis results showed that A.f-sIgE (cut-off, 4.108; AUC=0.749;95%CI, 0.632-0.867), sIgE/tIgE(cut-off, 0.0026;AUC=0.749;95%CI, 0.631-0.868), FeNO(cut-off, 55.5;AUC=0.794; 95%CI, 0.687-0.900), EO% (cut-off, 8.70;AUC=0.806;95%CI, 0.709-0.903) and EO (cut-off, 0.815;AUC=0.865;95%CI, 0.779-0.950) had differential diagnostic value in A.f-sensitized asthma and ABPA.The combination of FeNO, EO and EO% had good diagnostic efficiency in differentiating A.f-sensitized asthma from ABPA, with a sensitivity of 91.4% and a specificity of 84.4%. Conclusion: Compared with patients with A.f-sensitized asthma, patients with ABPA have more severe eosinophil inflammation. The higher the FeNO and EO, the more likely A.f-sensitized asthma will develop into ABPA.sIgE/tIgE may have differential diagnostic value in A.f-sensitized asthma and ABPA.The combination of FeNO, EO and EO% has good diagnostic efficacy in differentiating A.f-sensitized asthma from ABPA.

Study of the association of lncRNA-GAS5 gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus in Guangxi population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the association of rs55829688 and rs75315904 polymorphisms of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Guangxi population.@*METHODS@#Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the SLE group and control group. Following extraction of genomic DNA, SNPscan and Sanger sequencing were carried out to determine the genotypes for the rs55829688 and rs75315904 loci of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene.@*RESULTS@#No difference was found between the two groups with regard to the genotypic frequencies for rs55829688 and rs75315904 (P > 0.05). However, the frequencies of C allele of rs55829688 between the two groups was significantly different (P < 0.05). In the SLE group, the frequencies of C allele and CT+CC genotype for rs55829688 among SLE patients with nephritis were significantly lower than those of SLE patients without nephritis (P < 0.05). In addition, haplotype analysis showed that the frequency of rs55829688 C/rs75315904 A allele in the SLE group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#In Guangxi population, the carrier status of rs55829688 C allele of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene may reduce the risk of SLE and its complicated nephritis, and the rs55829688 C/rs75315904 A haplotype may reduce the risk for SLE.