The polymorphism of XRCC1 Arg399Gln (rs25487) and male infertility risk: a meta-analysis of 1,407 cases and 974 control studies.

X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) is a scaffold protein and a key element in DNA base excision repair process. Although, the role of XRCC1 polymorphisms in male infertility has been studied broadly, it is still a matter of debate. Hence, in order to shed light on the problem, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the overall effect of XRCC1 polymorphisms in male infertility risk. Databases, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched until September 15, 2018. Afterwards, the genotypes' distribution, genotyping methods, and ethnicity groups were extracted, and overall analyses were conducted. A total number of five researches on 1,407 subjects and 974 controls were found to meet our criteria in this meta-analysis. The XRCC1 Arg399Gln (rs25487) polymorphism was analyzed. This is the first meta-analysis to investigate the association of XRCC1 polymorphisms (codon 399) and male infertility risk. Our results indicated that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was not associated with male infertility risk in the total studied populations (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 26). Keywords: meta-analysis; male infertility; polymorphism; XRCC1 Arg399Gln.

Association between interleukin 4 (IL-4) VNTR, gene polymorphism, and breast cancer susceptibility in Iranian population: experimental and web base analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Epidemiological studies showed that BC is linked to genetic and environmental factors, and inheritance plays a key role in the pathobiology of this disease. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is a key differentiation cytokine and is produced by Th2 and activates Th2 development. Hence the current study aimed to assess the possible association between interleukin 4 (IL-4) VNTR polymorphism, and BC susceptibility in a sample of Iranian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IL-4 VNTR polymorphism was evaluated in 150 women with BC and 150 age-matched healthy women by polymerase chain reaction method. RESULT: Among 3 possible alleles for IL-4 gene, we only observed 2 alleles. Current findings indicate that RP2/RP2 genotypes can be regarded as potent protective factors against breast cancer (OR = 0.929 [95%CI, 0.929-0.995]). CONCLUSION: Our result showed that the RP2/RP2 genotype of the IL-4 VNTR polymorphism could be a protective factor for BC susceptibility (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 46).

A psychometric study of patients with nail dystrophies.

BACKGROUND: Survey studies suggest that patients with various dermatologic conditions experience concomitant psychologic distress. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which types of psychologic distress may be correlated with dystrophic disease of the nail in nonpsychiatric patients. METHODS: Fifty-seven adult subjects presenting for treatment of nail dystrophies completed a survey instrument, which included 5 psychometric measures. RESULTS: On average, patients rated the severity of their nail dystrophy and functional deficit higher (7.40/10 and 6.00, respectively) than investigators (6.15 and 3.75, respectively). Compared with age- and sex-matched nonpsychiatric patients, subjects in the study were moderately more anxious and minimally to mildly more depressed. Subjects had moderately depressed total self-concept, but their body image was approximately normal. Overall, subjects exhibited markedly more severe psychologic symptoms (84th percentile) than the normal sample, with the scores on the psychoticism, obsessive-compulsive, and paranoid ideation subscales being the most elevated. CONCLUSION: The subjects with nail dystrophy had markedly exacerbated psychologic symptoms compared with age- and sex-matched nonpsychiatric patients.

Complications of nail surgery: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The realm of nail unit surgery encompasses the dermatologist as well as the hand surgeon. Nail surgery complications may include allergy to anesthetic, infection, hematoma, nail deformity, and persistent pain and swelling. OBJECTIVE: To review the pertinent literature regarding nail unit surgery complications. METHODS: A Medline literature search was performed for relevant publications. RESULTS: Nail unit surgery complications appear to be relatively infrequent. The majority of postoperative nail deformity complications result from nail matrix damage. CONCLUSION: Complications may be reduced to a minimum by preventive measures, such as careful patient selection, sterile technique, and gentle treatment of the nail matrix.

Systemic antifungal therapy.

Systemic antifungal therapy for superficial mycoses has advanced greatly since the introduction of griseofulvin in 1958. The discovery of the azole antifungal compounds, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole, allowed for a broader spectrum of treatment and a shorter treatment duration. Terbinafine, through a unique mechanism of action, has a fungicidal power not seen previously in the other antifungals. It is important to use our knowledge of the pharmacology in combination with clinical experience and cost of therapy in order to select the proper drug. The search to identify new oral antifungal agents should continue, since none of the five currently used drugs fulfill the criteria of the "ideal" antifungal.

Use of the double-bladed scalpel in peripheral margin control of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

BACKGROUND: The double-bladed scalpel previously has not been cited in the published literature for use in Mohs micrographic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To allow for maximum tissue conservation and greatest possible intraoperative efficiency for peripheral margin control of a massive tumor. METHODS: We describe the use of the double-bladed scalpel during Mohs surgery for peripheral margin control of a large dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: While not necessary for the majority of routine Mohs cases, utilization of the double-bladed scalpel may be timesaving, especially when used for peripheral margin control of a massive tumor.