Investigate Global Chromosomal Interaction by Hi-C in Human Naive CD4 T Cells.

Hi-C is a methodology developed to reveal chromosomal interactions from a genome-wide perspective. Here, we described a protocol for generating Hi-C sequencing libraries in resting and activated human naive CD4 T cells to investigate activation-induced chromatin structure re-arrangement in T cell activation followed by a section reviewing the general concepts of Hi-C data analysis.

Effects of Patellofemoral Taping on Patellofemoral Joint Alignment and Contact Area During Weight Bearing.

Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Background Although it has been theorized that patellofemoral joint (PFJ) taping can correct patellar malalignment, the effects of PFJ taping techniques on patellar alignment and contact area have not yet been studied during weight bearing. Objective To examine the effects of 2 taping approaches (Kinesio and McConnell) on PFJ alignment and contact area. Methods Fourteen female subjects with patellofemoral pain and PFJ malalignment participated. Each subject underwent a pretaping magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan session and 2 MRI scan sessions after the application of the 2 taping techniques, which aimed to correct lateral patellar displacement. Subjects were asked to report their pain level prior to each scan session. During MRI assessment, subjects were loaded with 25% of body weight on their involved/more symptomatic leg at 0°, 20°, and 40° of knee flexion. The outcome measures included patellar lateral displacement (bisect-offset [BSO] index), mediolateral patellar tilt angle, patellar height (Insall-Salvati ratio), contact area, and pain. Patellofemoral joint alignment and contact area were compared among the 3 conditions (no tape, Kinesio, and McConnell) at 3 knee angles using a 2-factor, repeated-measures analysis of variance. Pain was compared among the 3 conditions using the Friedman test and post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results Our data did not reveal any significant effects of either McConnell or Kinesio taping on the BSO index, patellar tilt angle, Insall-Salvati ratio, or contact area across the 3 knee angles, whereas knee angle had a significant effect on the BSO index and contact area. A reduction in pain was observed after the application of the Kinesio taping technique. Conclusion In a weight-bearing condition, this preliminary study did not support the use of PFJ taping as a medial correction technique to alter the PFJ contact area or alignment of the patella. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(2):115-123. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.6936.

Prospective multinational study of pertussis infection in hospitalized infants and their household contacts.

BACKGROUND: Increased incidence of pertussis has been noted among infants too young to be immunized. We studied the disease burden of pertussis in pediatric intensive care units and the source of infection in several Asian, European and Latin American countries. METHODS: The study was conducted in 7 countries from September 2001 to January 2004. Children <1 year of age were enrolled from pediatric intensive care units (PICU) and pediatric wards if they presented with respiratory failure, apnea, bradycardia, or cough accompanied by paroxysms, vomiting, whoop or cyanosis. Household members of pertussis-positive index cases were asked to answer a questionnaire and provide diagnostic specimens. RESULTS: Pertussis was confirmed in 99 infants (12%) of 823 infants included in the analysis: 10 of 90 (11%) in Brazil, 9 of 88 (10%) in Costa Rica, 11 of 145 (8%) in Germany, 13 of 147 (9%) in Singapore, 29 of 67 (43%) in Spain, 2 of 86 (2%) in Taiwan and 25 of 200 (13%) in Uruguay. However, sensitivity analysis indicated that these figures were conservative. The mean (+/- SD) average age of infection was 2.6 +/- 2.2 months. Pertussis was found among 96 of 269 (36%) of household contacts investigated. At least one household contact was identified as the source of infection in 24 of 88 (27%) of the PICU cases and mothers were identified as being the most frequent source of infection. CONCLUSION: Although regional differences exist, severe pertussis represents a considerable global disease burden. Since most infants are infected before vaccination and concomitant protection is completed, household contacts should be targeted for booster vaccination to reduce the pertussis reservoir.

University of Toronto case-control study of multiple chemical sensitivity-3: intra-erythrocytic mineral levels.

BACKGROUND: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has an estimated American prevalence of 15%, and no consistently abnormal laboratory tests are available to assist in its diagnosis. Some physicians treating MCS patients have observed changes in intra-erythrocytic minerals (IEMs). As co-factors, minerals could influence detoxication of xenobiotics. AIM: To test whether IEM differed comparing MCS cases with controls. METHODS: A total of 408 women meeting validated inclusion and exclusion criteria for MCS participated in this case-control study. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed. However, for copper, chromium, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc, mean detectable levels were all lower in cases. No dose-response relationships were found. CONCLUSION: IEM measurements do not appear to provide useful diagnostic markers for MCS.

Case-control study of multiple chemical sensitivity, comparing haematology, biochemistry, vitamins and serum volatile organic compound measures.

BACKGROUND: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), although poorly understood, is associated with considerable morbidity. AIM: To investigate potential biological mechanisms underlying MCS in a case-control study. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-three MCS cases and 194 controls (urban females, aged 30-64 years) fulfilled reproducible eligibility criteria with discriminant validity. Routine laboratory results and serum levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were compared. Dose-response relationships, a criterion for causality, were examined linking exposures to likelihood of case status. RESULTS: Routine laboratory investigations revealed clinically unimportant case-control differences in means. Confounder-adjusted odds ratios (OR) showed MCS was negatively associated with lymphocyte count and total plasma homocysteine, positively associated with mean cell haemoglobin concentration, alanine aminotransferase and serum vitamin B6, and not associated with thyroid stimulating hormone, folate or serum vitamin B12. More cases than controls had detectable serum chloroform (P = 0.001) with the OR for detectability 2.78 (95% confidence interval = 1.73-4.48, P < 0.001). Chloroform levels were higher in cases. However, cases had significantly lower means of detectable serum levels of ethylbenzene, m&p-xylene, 3-methylpentane and hexane, and means of all serum levels of 1,3,5- and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 2- and 3-methylpentane, and m&p-xylene. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are inconsistent with proposals that MCS is associated with vitamin deficiency or thyroid dysfunction, but the association of lower lymphocyte counts with an increased likelihood of MCS is consistent with theories of immune dysfunction in MCS. Whether avoidance of exposures or different metabolic pathways in cases explain the observed lower VOC levels or the higher chloroform levels should be investigated.

Case-control study of genotypes in multiple chemical sensitivity: CYP2D6, NAT1, NAT2, PON1, PON2 and MTHFR.

BACKGROUND: Impaired metabolism of toxic chemicals is a postulated mechanism underlying multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Because genetic variation alters the rate of chemical metabolism, this study was designed to determine if MCS cases differed from controls for genetic polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes. METHODS: Female Caucasian participants (203 cases and 162 controls) were drawn from a larger case-control study based on a reproducible and validated case definition. Common polymorphisms for CYP2D6, NAT1, NAT2, PON1, and PON2 were genotyped. RESULTS: Comparing cases and controls, significant differences were found in genotype distributions for CYP2D6 (P = 0.02) and NAT2 (P = 0.03). Compared with the referent homozygous inactive (CYP2D6) or slow (NAT2) metabolizers, the odds for being CYP2D6 homozygous active (OR = 3.36, P = 0.01) and NAT2 rapid (OR = 4.14, P = 0.01) were significantly higher in cases than controls. The odds for being heterozygous for PON1-55 (OR = 2.05, P = 0.04) and PON1-192 (OR = 1.57, P = 0.04) were also significantly higher in cases. CONCLUSIONS: A genetic predisposition for MCS may involve altered biotransformation of environmental chemicals. The CYP2D6 enzyme activates and inactivates toxins; the NAT2 enzyme bioactivates arylamines to protein-binding metabolites. A gene-gene interaction between CYP2D6 and NAT2 suggested that rapid metabolism for both enzymes may confer substantially elevated risk (OR = 18.7, P = 0.002). Our finding parallels others' observation of a link between PON1 heterozygosity and neurological symptoms in Gulf War syndrome. This first demonstration of genetic variation in drug-metabolizing enzymes in association with MCS requires replication. However, it suggests new research directions on genetically variable toxin pathways that might be important in MCS.

Porous-surfaced dental implants in the partially edentulous maxilla: assessment for subclinical mobility.

Fifty patients received 151 short, porous-surfaced implants in the partially edentulous maxilla. Periotest values (PTV) were recorded at baseline and after 6 months and 1 and 2 years. For this, prostheses were removed and a standard abutment attached and tightened (20-Ncm force) to each implant. Data analysis indicated significant relationships between time in function vs PTV and implant diameter (3.5, 4.1, or 5.0 mm) vs PTV There was no relationship between PTV and implant length. PTVs were more favorable in the posterior than anterior maxilla, and better PTVs were obtained with nonsplinted as opposed to splinted implants.