Single human papillomavirus 16 or 52 infection and later cytological findings in Japanese women with NILM or ASC-US.

The relationship between oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and later cytological findings in the uterine cervix is unknown in women who were negative for intraepithelial lesion and malignancy (NILM) or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). This was investigated in this study in a Japanese population to determine the clinical utility of oncogenic (HPV) genotyping. The relative risk of progressive cytological findings 2 years after identification of oncogenic HPV infection was higher than in cases of non-oncogenic HPV infection (relative risk 3.827; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.282-11.422), as well as in cases of negative HPV infection (relative risk 2.124; 95% CI: 1.451-3.110). Moreover, the relative risk of progression of cytological findings 2 years later in cases of HPV-16 infection was higher than in cases of HPV-52 infection (relative risk 2.094; 95% CI: 1.005-3.935). Therefore, the initial HPV-DNA genotype may be a potential predictive marker of later progression of cytological findings in the uterine cervix in cases of NILM or ASC-US.

Copy number variation of the antimicrobial-gene, defensin beta 4, is associated with susceptibility to cervical cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate association between copy number variation of the defensin beta 4 gene (DEFB4) and susceptibility to cervical cancer in a population at high risk of persistent oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study subjects comprised 204 women with cervical cancer, a population having a high risk of persistent oncogenic HPV infection (cervical cancer group), and 200 healthy women from the general population (control group). Copy number variation of DEFB4 in each test sample was determined by relative quantitation using the comparative CT ((ΔΔ)CT) method. Differences between the two groups were evaluated. The median DEFB4 copy number in the cervical cancer group was four and in the control group was five (P=2.77e-4, t-test). The odds ratio of cervical cancer in individuals with four DEFB4 copies or less was higher (odds ratio 2.02; 95% confidence interval odds ratio 1.36-3.02), compared with that in individuals with five or more copies (odds ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval odds ratio 0.33-0.74). We found copy number variation of DEFB4 was a host genetic factor conferring susceptibility to cervical cancer. A lower DEFB4 copy number was associated with susceptibility to cervical cancer.

Characterization of placenta-specific microRNAs in fetal growth restriction pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize placenta-specific microRNAs in fetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancy. METHOD: Placenta-specific miRNAs were identified by next-generation sequencing analysis. Subsequently, quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to identify FGR placenta-specific miRNAs whose level of expression was significantly decreased in FGR placenta (n = 45) compared with uncomplicated placenta (n = 50). FGR pregnancy-associated, placenta-specific microRNAs were identified in maternal plasma after delivery at significantly decreased concentrations, and their circulating levels in maternal plasma was compared between FGR pregnancies (n = 10) and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 10). RESULTS: Out of the ten placenta-specific microRNAs that we identified, seven placenta-specific microRNAs (hsa-miR-518b, hsa-miR-1323, hsa-miR-516b, hsa-miR-515-5p, hsa-miR-520h, hsa-miR-519d, and hsa-miR-526b) from the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster were identified as FGR placenta-specific microRNAs. Four FGR placenta-specific microRNAs (hsa-miR-518b, hsa-miR-1323, hsa-miR-520h, and hsa-miR-519d) were confirmed as FGR pregnancy-associated, placenta-specific miRNAs, but their circulating levels in maternal plasma showed no significant differences between FGR pregnancy and uncomplicated pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that reduced expression in placenta of certain FGR placenta-specific miRNAs is associated with FGR and that the discrepancy between expression in FGR placenta and their circulating levels in maternal plasma will be crucial to understanding how placenta-specific microRNAs are released into the maternal circulation.

Clinical application of fetal sex determination using cell-free fetal DNA in pregnant carriers of X-linked genetic disorders.

As the first step in prenatal diagnosis of X-linked genetic disorders, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for fetal sex determination is generally performed at 11-13 weeks of gestation. However, as the procedure-related miscarriage rate of CVS is 0.5-1.0%, non-invasive methods such as PCR of cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) in maternal plasma are preferable. Here, we determined fetal sex at 9-12 weeks of gestation using PCR of cff-DNA in three pregnant carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The fetal sex was accurately determined in all three cases, as confirmed by ultrasound and amniocentesis at 16 weeks (for the two female fetuses) and CVS at 12 weeks (for the one male fetus). This procedure could avoid unnecessary CVS in female fetuses.

Trajectories of anti-islet autoantibodies before development of type 1 diabetes in interferon-treated hepatitis C patients. Case reports and a literature review.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is widely used in the treatment of viral hepatitis, however, it is known that IFN-α therapy may induce type 1 diabetes. We report here on two cases of chronic viral hepatitis C who developed autoimmune type 1 diabetes during Peg-IFN-α plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy. Case 1: a 48-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C with chronic thyroiditis. The patient's plasma glucose level was normal and anti-islet autoantibody tests were negative before Peg-IFN-α+RBV therapy. The emergence of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 autoantibody (GAD65Ab) was observed after five months of treatment. Autoantibodies to insulin and insulinoma-associated antigen-2 (IA-2) also became positive. Eleven months later, thirst and polydipsia occurred with increased fasting plasma glucose level and the patient was diagnosed with type 1A diabetes. Zinc transporter-8 autoantibody (ZnT8Ab) was not detectable at any point. The patient has type 1 diabetes-susceptible HLA-DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes *0405-*0401 and *0901-*0303. Case 2: a 65-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C with type 2 diabetes on insulin treatment. GAD65Ab and IA-2Ab were negative before Peg-IFN-α+RBV therapy, however, nine months later, a single appearance of GAD65Ab was observed. After twelve months, his plasma glucose control worsened rapidly, and he was diagnosed with type 1A diabetes. IA-2Ab and ZnT8Ab were negative throughout the clinical course. His HLA-DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes were *0410-*0402 and *1407-*0503. Both cases showed a unique GAD65Ab epitope (amino acids 360-442). These clinical courses suggest that IFN-α therapy provoked acute islet autoimmunity and onset of type 1 diabetes. Therefore, during IFN-α therapy, patients should be closely monitored for the occurrence of type 1 diabetes.