PADI4 polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) polymorphism and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). An electronic searching strategy was employed to collect relevant studies on the association between PADI4 polymorphism and susceptibility to RA. The odds ratio (OR) with the 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was used to evaluate the RA risk presented by PADI4 polymorphism. Fixed or random effects models were selected based on heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Begg's test, and Egger's test. A total of 27 studies from 21 articles were included. Six gene loci (padi4_94, 104, 92, 90, 89, and 100) were chosen for the meta-analysis. The pooled ORs (95 % CI) for allele 2 versus 1 were 1.08 (1.05-1.12), 1.17 (1.12-1.23), 1.26 (1.18-1.36), 1.17 (1.10-1.24), 1.30 (1.17-1.44), and 1.25 (1.11-1.40), respectively. All six SNPs were significantly associated with RA in Asian populations. Three SNPs (PADI4_104, 90, 89) showed significant associations, while the other three SNPs (PADI4_94, 92, 100) exhibited no associations in the European population. A dose-response relationship between allele 2 of PADI4 and the risk of RA was also identified. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that PADI4 polymorphisms represent a significant risk factor for RA, especially in Asians.

[Study on the correlation between induced abortion and reproductive tract infections].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between induced abortion and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). METHODS: On the basis of keeping the representation of cities under study, 53 652 fertile women aged 15 - 49 were surveyed by using a stratified-cluster-random sampling. Investigation and gynecological examination were conducted by two steps - firstly converging at the clinics, and then visiting those households for someone who did not show up at the clinics. RESULTS: Among all the 32.0% (n=16 800) women ever having experienced the history of induced abortion, 21.1% (n = 11 090) of them had one, 7.6% (n=3976) women had two, and 4.1% (n=1734) women had at least three events. 59.0% (n=30 959) women among our studied samples had ever had RTI, with 30.9% (n=16 215) of them had only one 20.0% (n=10 494) women had two and 8.1% (n=4250) had three or more RTIs. Data from χ(2) text and ordinal regression analysis revealed that the rural married women who underwent more induced abortions were more likely to suffer from RTIs, especially cervical infection and PID. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the rates of induced abortion and reproductive tract infections among married women in Anhui province were both high. Women who underwent induced abortions had a higher prevalence rate of reproductive tract infections.