The Association between TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-10 with Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is assumed to be associated with different biological/genetic vulnerability, as well as with neuroinflammation, mediated by cytokines. The present study evaluated the role of cytokines in AD. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the possible association of TNF-α (rs1800629), IL1-α (rs1800587) and IL-10 (rs1800896) polymorphisms with AD, and to assess serum TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-10 concentrations in patients with AD and in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: The study included 645 Caucasian participants: 395 subjects with AD and 250 subjects with MCI. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR in all 645 subjects, while serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-10 and were determined using ELISA in 174 subjects. RESULTS: The frequency of the TNF-α rs1800629, IL1-α rs1800587 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes did not differ significantly between patients with AD and MCI. Serum concentration of IL-1α and IL-10 were significantly decreased, while the concentration of TNF-α was significantly higher in patients with AD than in MCI subjects. TNF-α, IL1-α or IL-10 concentrations were similar in subjects with AD or MCI subdivided into carriers of the corresponding TNF-α rs1800629, IL1-α rs1800587 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes. CONCLUSION: Similar distribution of the IL1-α rs1800587, TNF-α rs1800629 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes in subjects with AD and MCI failed to confirm that these specific risk genotypes are associated with vulnerability to develop AD. Alteration in IL-1α, IL-10 and TNF-α concentrations in patients with AD partially confirmed the association with the neuroinflammatory response in AD.

How compliant are technicians with universal safety measures in medical laboratories in Croatia?--A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: This pilot study aimed to investigate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance to the code of conduct (rules defined in institutional, governmental and professional guidelines) among laboratory technicians in Croatian medical laboratories. In addition, we explored the differences in compliance between participants of different age groups, laboratory ownership and accreditation status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous and voluntary survey with 15 questions was conducted among Croatian medical laboratory technicians (N=217). The questions were divided into two groups: demographic characteristics and the use of PPE. The questions of the second part were graded according to the Likert scale (1-4) and an overall score, shown as median and range (min-max), was calculated for each participant. Differences between the overall scores were tested for each group of participants. RESULTS: The majority of participants always wear protective clothes at work, 38.7% of them always wear gloves in daily routine, more than 30.0% consume food and almost half of them drink beverages at workplace. A significantly lower overall score was found for participants working in public compared to private laboratories (36 (16-40) vs. 40 (31-40), P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in overall scores for participants of different age groups (P=0.456) and laboratory accreditation status (P=0.081). CONCLUSION: A considerable percentage of laboratory technicians in Croatian medical laboratories do not comply with safety measures. Lack of compliance is observed in all personnel regardless laboratory accreditation and participants' age. However, those working in private laboratories adhere more to the code of conduct.