Genome-wide association study of degenerative bony changes of the temporomandibular joint.

OBJECTIVES: To identify susceptibility genes underlying degenerative bony changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bony changes of the TMJ condylar head were diagnosed by examination of panoramic radiographs and/or magnetic resonance images and/or computed tomography images. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 146 cases with TMJ degeneration and 374 controls from East Asian populations using an Illumina HumanOmniExpress BeadChip. After rigorous quality-control filtering, approximately 550,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used for tests of associations with disease status. RESULTS: Forty-one SNPs at 22 independent loci showed association signals at P < 1 × 10(-4). The SNP rs878962, which maps on an intron of TSPAN9 on chromosome 12, showed the strongest association (combined OR = 1.89, 95% confidence interval = 1.43-2.50, P = 8.1 × 10(-6)). According to in silico predictions of the 41 SNPs, two intronic SNPs of APOL3 (rs80575) and MRC2 (rs2460300) may fall within regulatory elements and affect DNA-protein interactions. We could not replicate SNPs located on genes that have been reported to be associated with temporomandibular disorder or temporomandibular osteoarthritis in previous studies at P < 1 × 10(-4). CONCLUSIONS: Our GWAS identified 22 independent loci showing suggestive association signals with degenerative bony changes of the TMJ. These loci provide good candidates for future follow-up studies.

[Spectral absorption characteristics of ocular tissues].

We studied the ocular spectral characteristics of monkey and rabbit eyes in the range of 300 to 900 nm. Measurements were performed on dissected specimens of the cornea, lens, vitreous, sensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plus choroid. Xanthophyll and monkey blood were also studied. Components of the ocular media showed high absorption over the ultraviolet range. The absorption curve of the sensory retina was similar to that of the ocular media. RPE plus choroid showed high absorption over the whole spectral range, with gradual decrease in absorption above 600 nm. The specific absorption curve of both xanthophyll and blood became manifest only when diluted to more than 1:20,000 in the former and to more than 1:100 in the latter. The spectral absorption of the ocular tissue thus became specific only when the thickness or density of the tissue was within a certain range.

[A case of Kawasaki's disease combined with septicemia--isolation of Streptococcus sanguis (MCLS-1) and Streptococcus pyogenes from blood at the acute stage].

The patient was diagnosed as having Kawasaki's disease. Streptococci were isolated from cultures of all blood samples collected during the acute stage (the third, fifth and seventh day of the disease). The streptococci were subsequently identified as Streptococcus sanguis (MCLS-1) and Streptococcus pyogenes. This finding may suggest induction of Kawasaki's disease by S. sanguis MCLS-1, and in this case, the complication of septicemia by S. pyogenes.

Uranyl-ion catalyzed oligonucleotide synthesis from adenosine-5'-phosphorazolide. The effect of azoles as nucleotide activating groups.

Polymerization of azole-activated nucleotides was conducted in an aqueous medium with uranyl ion as a catalyst. Imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, triazole, nitrotriazole, tetrazole and 2-methylbenzimidazole were used as an activation group for adenylic acid. Oligoadenylates up to the hexadecamer were obtained in high total yield under the optimum condition. The azole compounds had large effect on the rate of polymerization, the yield and the chain length of the resulting oligoadenylates.