Interleukin 1 beta (IL1beta) gene polymorphisms (SNP-511 and SNP+3953) in Hashimoto's thyroiditis among the Polish population.

AIM: The association between the interleukin IL1 beta gene polymorphisms SNP-511 and SNP+3953 and susceptibility to the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis among adult Caucasian-Polish population were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The group studied comprised of 115 unrelated patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (112 women and 3 men, mean age 53.3 years). All patients were euthyroid on thyroid replacement therapy, had extremely high serum anti-TPO levels and in 53 patients anti-TG levels were also increased. The control group consisted of 103 healthy blood donors without raised anti-TPO antibodies, in whom a personal and familial history of thyroid, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was excluded. No goiter or thyroid dysfunction was found.2 polymorphisms of the IL1 beta were studied by PCR-RFLP analysis. To confirm the accuracy of the method used, randomly selected patients were analyzed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: In both groups allele frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The significant statistical differences between the frequency of C and T allele for both SNPs (C-511T and C+3953T) in the group studied and in the controls were found (p=0.0081; OR=1.846; 95% CI: 1.183-2.878 and p=0.0099; OR=1.953; 95% CI: 1.183-3.224).The frequencies of the genotype C-511C compared to C-511T and T-511T as well as C+3953C compared to C+3953T and T+3953T also differed significantly (p=0.0057; OR=2.248; 95% CI: 1.292-3.912 and p=0.0043; OR=2.338; 95% CI: 1.305-4.191) between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: An association between the SNPs of the IL1 beta and susceptibility to Hashimoto's thyroiditis among the group of Caucasian-Polish population studied was found.

The associations between iL-18 serum levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Polish men over the age of 40 according to other selected inflammatory indices and androgens: comparison of NCEP with IDF criteria.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of MS increases with age and augments the cardiovascular risk. The criteria for distinguishing MS constantly evolve. The aim of the study was to estimate the reciprocal links between low-grade inflammation, selected serum androgens and prevalence of MS, according to NCEP and IDF criteria, in Polish men over the age of 40. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 160 men was randomly selected from men at the age of 40, 50, 60 and 70, residing in the rural south-western region of Poland. IL-18 and CRP, transferrin, α (1)-antichymotrypsin, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate as well as free-testosterone levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS was 37.5% using NCEP criteria and 46.25% employing IDF indices. Patients with MS diagnosed according to criteria proposed by NCEP and IDF exhibit a similar hormonal and immunological profile. Age was positively correlated with CRP (r=0.231; p<0.0005), and α (1)-ACT (r=0.191 p<0.05) and negatively with transferrin (r=-0.27; p<0.001), but not with IL-18 plasma levels. Both adrenal androgens were negatively correlated with age: DHEA r=-0.489; p<0.001 and DHEAS: r=-0.553; p<0.001 respectively, in contrast to free-testosterone. People suffering from MS have shown a significantly higher level of IL-18 and CRP. The number of MS components identified (according to NCEP) is positively correlated only with IL-18 serum levels (r=0.226; p=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory parameters were better than a deficit of androgens in identifying men suffering from MS. However, the best correlation with the number of MS components was revealed by IL-18 plasma levels.

Effectiveness of latex condoms as a barrier to human immunodeficiency virus-sized particles under conditions of simulated use.

Condoms were tested in an in vitro system simulating key physical conditions that can influence viral particle leakage through condoms during actual coitus. The system quantitatively addresses pressure, pH, temperature, surfactant properties, and anatomical geometry. A suspension of fluorescence-labeled, 110-nm polystyrene microspheres models free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen, and condom leakage is detected spectrofluorometrically. Leakage of HIV-sized particles through latex condoms was detectable (P less than 0.03) for as many as 29 of the 89 condoms tested. Worst-case condom barrier effectiveness (fluid transfer prevention), however, is shown to be at least 10(4) times better than not using a condom at all, suggesting that condom use substantially reduces but does not eliminate the risk of HIV transmission.

PIP: Physical science researchers tested the ability of 89 undamaged latex condoms manufactured in the US to prevent passage of HIV=size particles under simulated physiologic conditions at their Food and Drug Administration laboratory in Rockville, Maryland. The design of the test system considered particle size, pH, surface tension, and time. A suspension of polystyrene 110 nm microspheres labeled with fluorescent dye served as the HIV-sized particle model in semen. They challenged each condom with this suspension for 30 minutes. The test did not include motion since stretching over the penis accounts for most pore stretching. Leakage of fluorescent dye occurred in 29 condoms (p .03). 21 condoms leaked at minimum leak rates 1 nl/s, 7 at 1-6 nl/s, and 1 at around 10 nl/s. Assuming the leakage occurred through the only pore in each condom, the pore diameters ranged from 2 to 7 mcm. Also assuming an even more conservative criterion, the qualitative results were the same: 11 condoms with leak rates were nl/s vs. 6 condoms with leak rates 1-9 nl/s (p .002). The widely used 300 ml water test did not indicate any pores in any of the condoms. In the extreme and highly unlikely scenario of all the fluid being pumped out of the condom, the transfer rate would be about 0.1 mcl after 10 minutes of thrusting after ejaculation filled the condom with semen (i.e., 0.01% of a typical 3 ml ejaculate). Thus proper use of latex condoms would result in exposure reduction from HIV of at least 4 orders of magnitude. These findings demonstrated that use of latex condoms can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission, but it does not eliminate that risk.

Test method for evaluating the permeability of intact prophylactics to viral-size microspheres under simulated physiologic conditions.

The alarming number of AIDS cases has increased the attention given to barrier devices such as condoms. The authors describe a new test method that evaluates the permeability of the intact condom when subjected to simulated physiologic conditions. Fluorescent-labelled polystyrene microspheres (110 nm diameter) are used to model cell-free virus. Physical and chemical conditions that are present during coitus, such as pressure, pH, and temperature, are considered in the design of the method. The testing chamber is designed to be continuously monitored for changes in fluorescence due to leakage across the condom surface. The sensitivity of the system is 1 x 10(-5) of the original concentration of microsphere solution (3.4 x 10(11) particles/mL), which corresponds to leak rates as small as .001 microL/sec. The test provides an in vitro test of barrier material permeability relevant to actual use.