Experimental testing of a prototype cantilevered liquid-nitrogen-cooled silicon mirror

This report presents testing of a prototype cantilevered liquid-nitrogen-cooled silicon mirror. This mirror was designed to be the first mirror for the new soft X-ray beamlines to be built as part of the Advanced Light Source Upgrade. Test activities focused on fracture, heat transfer, modal response and distortion, and indicated that the mirror functions as intended.

The KANNO blood group system

The KANNO blood group system (International Society of Blood Transfusion [ISBT] 037) includes one high-prevalence antigen, KANNO1, across ethnic groups. Sporadic KANNO1- cases among East and South Asians are theoretically estimated by the DNA database library. Anti-KANNO1 has been found most often among Japanese women with current or prior pregnancy. Thus far, there are no reported cases of hemolytic transfusion reaction or hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn due to anti-KANNO1.

O-301 Genome-wide association study identified meiotic variant associated with aneuploid pregnancy loss

Study question

Which single nucleotide variant (SNVs) are associated with aneuploid pregnancy loss?

Summary answer

We identified a SNV on MEIG1 gene, which are associated with meiosis/spermiogenesis.

What is known already

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) refers to the loss of two or more pregnancies, with a frequency of 5%. Chromosomal abnormalities in embryos are found in 80% of first trimester miscarriages, 86% of which are aneuploid. Recently, embryonic aneuploidy was found to be the most common cause of RPL, with a frequency of 40-50%. Most trisomy miscarriages are of maternal origin, with errors occurring during meiosis of the oocyte. Chromosome segregation abnormalities in oocytes are thought to be an event associated with increasing maternal age, but in addition, maternal genetic causes are thought to contribute.

Study design, size, duration

A Genome wide association study (GWAS) was performed on a clinically well characterized cohort of 189 women with RPL whose previous aborted conceptus was ascertained to be an aneuploid embryo. Samples were mainly collected from 2007 to 2018 mainly at Nagoya City University Hospital. For control samples, we used 1157 samples from the population-based prospective cohorts that included fertile women.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

All patients underwent a systematic examination. Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, an abnormal chromosome in either partner, or uterine anomaly were excluded. Patients whose previously miscarried POC exhibited triploidy or 45, X were excluded. DNA was isolated from stored EDTA-blood samples and genotyped by Axiom Japonica-array v2659,503 SNVs). For the GWAS, a chi-squared test was applied to a two-by-two contingency table in allele frequency model.

Main results and the role of chance

The mean (SD) ages and number of previous miscarriages of the patients were 36.8 (4.3) and 3.09 (1.13). GWAS data revealed 5 SNVs with suggestive significance (p < 9.46e-06). The SNVs that showed the most significant associations (P = 1.06E-06, OR = 1.72) was located on meiosis/spermiogenesis associated 1 (MEIG1) gene under an allelic model after Bonferroni correction considering the number of analyzed SNVs. The SNV rs7908491 was reported as a splicing QTL in the MEIG1 gene, which is a meiosis/meiosis-associated factor and is plausibly associated with chromosome aneuploidy. This is the first GWAS in patients with RPL caused by aneuploidy.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Since this study was conducted in a single center and had a small sample size, it needs to be replicated in different centers with more subjects and on an international scale. Whole genome imputation analysis will be performed to detect SNVs with more significant associations.

Wider implications of the findings

Our findings demonstrate that a specific genotype of MEIG1 gene can be a risk factor for aneuploid pregnancy loss. The establishment of clinically applicable maternal germ cell markers could identify groups for whom PGT would be more useful or provide patients with counseling that provides prognostic information about pregnancy.

Trial registration number

not applicable

SAT0124 RISK OF SERIOUS INFECTION, MALIGNANCY, OR DEATH IN JAPANESE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH A COMBINATION OF ABATACEPT AND TACROLIMUS: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Both Abatacept (ABT) and Tacrolimus (Tac) suppress T cell immunity, but it is unknown whether combinations of these will increase the risk of adverse events.

Objectives:

To evaluate whether combining ABT and Tac increases the risk of infection and malignancy compared to their individual use in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of RA patients using the multicenter database in Japan (NinJa). The dataset was clinical information at a certain point within each year, and the point was any point selected by a registered physician. RA was clinically diagnosed in the dataset. (1)

We analyzed the data from RA patients registered in NinJa during the period from April 2010 to March 2019. In this study, we compared three groups who received Tac, ABT or a combination of both. We included patients who had just begun initiating treatment with ABT or Tac, and we excluded patients who used TNF inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, and Jak inhibitors in the first year. The primary outcome was defined the composite events including infections that require hospitalization, newly diagnosed malignancy, and death from any cause after initiation of ABT or Tac. We assessed whether the combination contributed to increase the risk of outcome by performing a Cox regression analysis.

Results:

Among the 27032 RA patients in the registry, 2009 patients were included. The Tac, ABT and combination groups consisted of 1328, 563 and 118 patients, respectively. (Figure 1) (Table 1) Primary outcomes occurred in 149 (13.4%), 62 (13.5%), 14 (13.9%) patients, of the Tac, ABT and combination groups, respectively. The incidence between groups was not significantly different (p= 0.638). (Figure 2) A Cox regression analysis was adjusted for the following parameters: age, sex, disease duration, modified health assessment questionnaire, disease activity score 28-CRP, CRP, use of prednisolone, and use of methotrexate. The analysis revealed no significant differences between groups. The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was as follows: Tac 1.00 (Ref), ABT 1.02 (0.74-1.40), and combination 1.15 (0.65-2.05).

Table 1.

baseline characteristics

TacrolimusAbataceptCombinationp valueN (person-year)1328 (2505)563 (944)118 (193)age (median [IQR])69.00 [60.00, 76.00]70.00 [61.00, 76.00]67.00 [59.00, 74.00]0.169*sex female (%)1038 (78.2)468 (83.1)97 (82.2)0.039†disease duration (yr) (median [IQR])9.00 [4.00, 18.00]11.00 [5.00, 21.00]11.00 [7.00, 20.00]0.002*Steinbrocker stage (%)I285 (23.5)82 (15.6)12 (12.1)<0.001†II361 (29.8)125 (23.8)25 (25.3)III232 (19.1)150 (28.5)31 (31.3)IV334 (27.6)169 (32.1)31 (31.3)mHAQ (median [IQR])0.25 [0.00, 0.75]0.38 [0.00, 1.00]0.50 [0.00, 1.13]<0.001*DAS28CRP (median [IQR])2.58 [1.88, 3.40]2.77 [2.09, 3.62]3.01 [2.27, 3.98]<0.001*CRP (mg/dL) (median [IQR])0.30 [0.10, 1.02]0.35 [0.13, 1.10]0.30 [0.14, 0.82]0.590*RF positivity (%)708/895 (79.1)331/400 (82.8)57/71 (80.3)0.314†Tacrolimus (mg/d) (median [IQR])1.50 [1.00, 2.00]0.00 [0.00, 0.00]2.00 [1.00, 2.50]<0.001*MTX use (%)619 (46.6)264 (46.9)32 (27.1)<0.001†PSL use (%)749 (56.4)299 (53.1)71 (60.2)0.253†

Abbreviations: anti-CCP, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide; mHAQ, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire; MTX, methotrexate; PSL, prednisolone; RF, rheumatoid factor * Kruskal-Wallis test; † chi square test; ‡ analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Conclusion:

The combination of ABT and Tac does not increase the risk of adverse events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan when compared to the use ABT or Tac alone. Further evaluation is needed.

References:

[1]Matsui T, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2007;66:1221–6.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kenichiro Tokunaga: None declared, Kunihiko Matsui: None declared, Hideto Oshikawa: None declared, Toshihiro Matsui Paid instructor for: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., LTD., Janssen Pharmaceutical K,K,, Shigeto Tohma: None declared

Indo-Oceanic Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Thailand associated with higher mortality

SETTING: This study was conducted among tuberculosis (TB) patients in a highly endemic Thai province.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between different Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages and clinical characteristics, especially mortality.DESIGN: We enrolled 1,304 TB patients registered from 2002-2011 with culture isolates whose lineages were identified by specific regions of deletion. Data on mortality within 1 year of follow-up were extracted from the registration system and hospital records. Mortality-associated risk factors, including bacterial lineages, as independent variables were analysed using Cox regression models.RESULTS: Of 1,304 isolates, 521 (40.0%) and 582 (44.6%) belonged to Indo-Oceanic and East-Asian lineages, respectively. Indo-Oceanic strains significantly increased the mortality risk compared with East-Asian strains (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.42, 95%CI 1.02-1.99) or modern lineages (aHR 1.49, 95%CI 1.08-2.06) in the 172 patients who died within 1 year after TB diagnosis. The former also caused significantly higher mortality than modern lineages among patients who died within 6 months after TB diagnosis (aHR 1.62, 95%CI 1.12-2.35). No significant association was found between drug resistance and death.CONCLUSION: In Thailand, the Indo-Oceanic lineage of M. tuberculosis increased mortality risk compared with modern lineages or the East-Asian lineage, the latter being considered highly virulent in previous studies.

BACTERIAL WGS AND HOST GENOME-WIDE SNP ANALYSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN THAILAND

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A genome-wide association study identifies two novel susceptibility loci and trans population polygenicity associated with bipolar disorder

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified several susceptibility loci for bipolar disorder (BD) and shown that the genetic architecture of BD can be explained by polygenicity, with numerous variants contributing to BD. In the present GWAS (Phase I/II), which included 2964 BD and 61 887 control subjects from the Japanese population, we detected a novel susceptibility locus at 11q12.2 (rs28456, P=6.4 × 10-9), a region known to contain regulatory genes for plasma lipid levels (FADS1/2/3). A subsequent meta-analysis of Phase I/II and the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium for BD (PGC-BD) identified another novel BD gene, NFIX (Pbest=5.8 × 10-10), and supported three regions previously implicated in BD susceptibility: MAD1L1 (Pbest=1.9 × 10-9), TRANK1 (Pbest=2.1 × 10-9) and ODZ4 (Pbest=3.3 × 10-9). Polygenicity of BD within Japanese and trans-European-Japanese populations was assessed with risk profile score analysis. We detected higher scores in BD cases both within (Phase I/II) and across populations (Phase I/II and PGC-BD). These were defined by (1) Phase II as discovery and Phase I as target, or vice versa (for 'within Japanese comparisons', Pbest~10-29, R2~2%), and (2) European PGC-BD as discovery and Japanese BD (Phase I/II) as target (for 'trans-European-Japanese comparison,' Pbest~10-13, R2~0.27%). This 'trans population' effect was supported by estimation of the genetic correlation using the effect size based on each population (liability estimates~0.7). These results indicate that (1) two novel and three previously implicated loci are significantly associated with BD and that (2) BD 'risk' effect are shared between Japanese and European populations.

Mucocutaneous inflammation in the Ikaros Family Zinc Finger 1-keratin 5-specific transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

Our genomewide association study documented an association between cold medicine-related Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (CM-SJS/TEN) and Ikaros Family Zinc Finger 1 (IKZF1). Few studies examined biological and pathological functions of IKZF1 in mucosal immunity. We hypothesized that IKZF1 contributes to the mucocutaneous inflammation.

METHODS

Human skin and conjunctival tissues were obtained for immunohistological studies. Primary human conjunctival epithelial cells (PHCjECs) and adult human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa) also used for gene expression analysis. We also generated K5-Ikzf1-EGFP transgenic mice (Ikzf1 Tg) by introducing the Ik1 isoform into cells expressing keratin 5, which is expressed in epithelial tissues such as the epidermis and conjunctiva, and then examined them histologically and investigated gene expression of the epidermis. Moreover, Ikzf1 Tg were induced allergic contact dermatitis.

RESULTS

We found that human epidermis and conjunctival epithelium expressed IKZF1, and in PHCjECs and HEKa, the expression of IKZF1 mRNA was upregulated by stimulation with polyI:C, a TLR3 ligand. In Ikzf1 Tg, we observed dermatitis and mucosal inflammation including the ocular surface. In contact dermatitis model, inflammatory infiltrates in the skin of Ikzf1 Tg were significantly increased compared with wild type. Microarray analysis showed that Lcn2, Adh7, Epgn, Ifi202b, Cdo1, Gpr37, Duoxa1, Tnfrsf4, and Enpp5 genes were significantly upregulated in the epidermis of Ikzf1 Tg compared with wild type.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the hypothesis that Ikaros might participate in mucocutaneous inflammation.

Efficacy of levetiracetam versus fosphenytoin for the recurrence of seizures after status epilepticus

Benzodiazepines are used as first-line treatments for status epilepticus. Fosphenytoin (FPHT) is recommended for second-line therapy; however, intravenous injection of levetiracetam (LEV) may also be effective against status epilepticus. Herein, we compared the efficacy and safety of LEV as a second-line treatment for status epilepticus with FPHT in Japanese patients.Patients with status epilepticus were selected from the database of the Emergency and Critical Care Center of Hitachi General Hospital. The subjects were patients whose status epilepticus was successfully stopped by diazepam, and in whom FPHT or LEV was administered after diazepam. As LEV injections recently became clinically available in Japan, the choice of drug was determined by the treatment period. Thus, 21 patients who were intravenously injected with LEV as a second-line therapy and 42 matched patients (historical controls) who were treated with FPHT (1:2) were selected.The subjects had a mean age of 64.0 ± 2.2 years, and included 48 males and 15 females. The status epilepticus control rates of the FPHT and LEV groups did not differ significantly (81.0% [34/42] vs 85.1% [18/21], respectively; P  =  .69). As for serious adverse events, a reduction in blood pressure was observed in the FPHT group, but not in the LEV group. The oral anticonvulsant switching rates of the 2 groups were similar, but the same-drug switching rates of the FPHT and LEV groups were 8.1% and 77.8%, respectively.The efficacy of intravenous LEV injections after status epilepticus was equivalent to that of FPHT, and the incidence of adverse events was lower in the LEV group. LEV is effective and safe at preventing recurrent seizures after status epilepticus following benzodiazepine treatment.

Recombinant thrombomodulin for secondary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

In the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), reductions in the enzyme activity of ADAMTS13, which cuts ultralarge von Willebrand multimers, generates shear stress on the microvascular endothelium, leading to platelet aggregation and the formation of a thrombus. ADAMTS13 activity is markedly decreased in typical TTP, but is only mildly reduced in secondary TTP, which concomitantly develops with primary disease. The latter develops with septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and often causes organ failure. Recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) is a drug that is used to treat DIC and may also remit TTP because it improves vascular endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, we herein investigated the efficacy of rTM in patients treated for the pathology of secondary TTP. Patients who were admitted to the Emergency and Critical Care Center of our hospital and met the following conditions were extracted and retrospectively analyzed: hemolytic anemia accompanied by fragmented red blood cells (Hb < 12 g/dL or lower); thrombocytopenia (<100 × 10/μL); and ADAMTS13 activity <50%. Sixteen patients were included and accompanied by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage 2 or more severe nephropathy and DIC. Eleven and 5 patients treated with and without rTM (the rTM and non-rTM treatment groups, respectively) were compared, and no significant difference was noted in their basic characteristics, such as background disease and severity. No significant difference was observed in survival rates; however, the platelet count, which is an important outcome of treatments for TTP, significantly increased in the rTM treatment group: 3.3 ± 2.6→11.3 ± 14.6 versus 3.5 ± 3.7→5.7 ± 3.9 (×1000/μL) (P = 0.034). Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura originally requires invasive treatments and its prognosis is not favorable. Blood thrombomodulin levels also markedly increase due to vascular endothelial dysfunction, whereas rTM alleviates vascular endothelial dysfunction in TTP patients with high blood TM levels, suggesting the importance of administering rTM. Thus, rTM may be effective for secondary TTP and may be adopted as adjuvant therapy.

Continuous veno-venous hemodialysis and filtration for extensive burn with severe hypernatremia

Case

A 51-year-old man presented with severe burns, with a burn index of 33.5. Relaxation incisions were made in the trunk and right arm. Ringer's solution (12,000 mL) was used as initial fluid therapy for the first 24 h. The patient's serum Na level gradually increased to 170 mEq/L; infusion was carried out to correct the hypernatremia. Continuous veno-venous hemodialysis and filtration succeeded in maintaining the serum Na level at approximately 145 mEq/L.

Outcome

After the initiation of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis and filtration, the skin graft survival rate improved markedly with the normalization of the Na level, and the patient recovered smoothly. He was discharged on foot.

Conclusion

Hypernatremia, frequently observed in patients with extensive burns, is considered to be markedly disadvantageous for the survival of skin grafts. Continuous veno-venous hemodialysis and filtration may be one of the options for the treatment of refractory hypernatremia in severe burns.

Questionable expression of unstable DQ heterodimer containing HLA-DQA1*01:07

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DQA1*01:07 was identified as an HLA-DQ blank specificity that segregated with the serological HLA-A2, -B7, -DR14, -DR52 haplotype, which carried DQB1*05:03. The blank specificity of DQA1*01:07-DQB1*05:03 may be because of lack of reactivity of available typing sera, or disruption of proper assembly of DQ heterodimer. The cDNA sequence of DQA1*01:07 is nearly identical to DQA1*01:04 except for a variant at position 304, which results in the replacement of an arginine with a cysteine at 79α. To determine whether the DQA1*01:07 product can be expressed on cell-surface, we co-expressed DQA1*01:07 with various DQB1*05 or *06 alleles in fibroblast cells. Cell-surface expression of DQ was detectable when DQA1*01:07 was co-expressed with DQB1*06:04 but undetectable with other DQB1*05 and DQB1*06 alleles, including DQB1*05:03, to which DQA1*01:07 was encoded in cis. These data suggest that DQA1*01:07 may act as a phenotypically null allele in the DQA1*01:07-DQB1*05:03 haplotype, while it can be expressed at a low level in the presences of certain DQB1*06 alleles, such as DQB1*06:04, in trans. Based on the null or low expression of DQA1*01:07 as shown in the previous and present studies, DQA1*01:07 has recently been renamed to DQA1*01:07Q, indicating its questionable expression.

Effects of HLA-DPB1 genotypes on chronic hepatitis B infection in Japanese individuals

Significant associations of HLA-DP alleles with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection are evident in Asian and Arabian populations, including Japanese, Han Chinese, Korean, and Saudi Arabian populations. Here, significant associations between CHB infection and five DPB1 alleles (two susceptibility alleles, DPB1(*) 05:01 and (*) 09:01, and three protective alleles, DPB1(*) 02:01, (*) 04:01, and (*) 04:02) were confirmed in a population comprising of 2582 Japanese individuals. Furthermore, odds ratios for CHB were higher for those with both DPB1 susceptibility alleles than for those with only one susceptibility allele; therefore, effects of susceptibility alleles were additive for risk of CHB infection. Similarly, protective alleles showed an additive effect on protection from CHB infection. Moreover, heterozygotes of any protective allele showed stronger association with CHB than did homozygotes, suggesting that heterozygotes may bind a greater variety of hepatitis B-derived peptides, and thus present these peptides more efficiently to T-cell receptors than homozygotes. Notably, compound heterozygote of the protective allele (any one of DPB1*02:01, *04:01, and *04:02) and the susceptible allele DPB1*05:01 was significantly associated with protection against CHB infection, which indicates that one protective HLA-DPB1 molecule can provide dominant protection. Identification of the HLA-DPB1 genotypes associated with susceptibility to and protection from CHB infection is essential for future analysis of the mechanisms responsible for immune recognition of hepatitis B virus antigens by HLA-DPB1 molecules.

Linezolid is a novel and effective treatment for septic pulmonary embolism

Septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) is an uncommon and severe infectious disease that requires early diagnosis and proper antibiotic therapy. We present the case of a healthy 14-year-old girl with a history of atopic dermatitis, who developed SPE caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. We initially administered intravenous doripenem and vancomycin. Four days after her admission, blood and urine cultures yielded penicillinase nonproducing, methicillin-sensitive S aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration less than 0.06 μg/mL. However,the administration of penicillin G aggravated her condition; therefore, treatment was switched to linezolid on day 8. Her condition subsequently resolved, and she was discharged 40 days after admission without any complications. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the efficacy of linezolid for SPE that is related to community-acquired methicillin-sensitive S aureus bacteremia. The favorable lung tissue transfer of linezolid may have contributed to its efficacy against the SPE.

Septic ketoacidosis

Various unmeasured anions other than lactate appear in the blood of septic patients, including ketones. However, the occurrence of sepsis-induced ketoacidosis without diabetes mellitus has not been reported to date. We herein describe severe ketoacidosis in a patient with septic shock despite the absence of diabetes, alcohol and starvation. A 76-year-old woman presented with septic shock due to acute obstructive cholangitis. She exhibited ketoacidosis and a remarkably strong ion gap, except for ketones. Sepsis alone may lead to ketoacidosis in patients without diabetes under specific conditions. The accumulation of ketones and other strong anions can occur in cases involving a decreased metabolic function. There may be a pathological condition called septic ketoacidosis.

The proposal of subgroups for grade V on World Federation of Neurologic Surgeons grading for subarachnoid hemorrhage

AIM

Some of cases suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) in grade V on World Federation of Neurologic Surgeons (WFNS) grading can gain a good prognosis. The outcome of patients of SAH in grade V on WFNS grading in their institute was here investigated.

METHODS

Between April 2007 and July 2012, consecutive 37 patients had SAH diagnosed on CT scan and were classified in grade V on WFNS grading in Kosei General Hospital. There were seventeen male and twenty female patients. We were assigned to patients with spontaneous respiration and without oculomotor palsy (N group, N.=11), and patients with oculomotor palsy (O group, N.=26). Patients were evaluated by mRS.

RESULTS

The prognosis in N group was significantly better than in O group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatments should be considered for SAH patients without oculomotor palsy. It is necessary to make subgroups in grade V on WFNS grading in order to decide operative indication and evaluate the treatment results of SAH in grade V.

EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia complicated by eosinophilic pneumonia

EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is a phenomenon that occurs in vitro when EDTA reacts with harvested blood. EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia usually does not indicate thrombocytopenia in vivo. Here, we report the first case of EDTA-PTCP complicated by eosinophilic pneumonia. A 70-year-old man with rectal cancer was admitted to the hospital for a liver abscess and rectal cancer. At the time of admission, his platelet count was 20,000/μL, but a peripheral blood smear showed platelet aggregation and the platelet count for a kanamycin-added EDTA blood sample was 180,000/μL. The patient's respiratory status worsened after treatment for the liver abscess and rectal cancer. The patient's bronchoalveolar lavage contained 45% eosinophils, and a diagnosis of acute eosinophilic pneumonia was made. In recent studies, the occurrence of eosinophilic disease has been shown in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia is an in vitro phenomenon, although platelet activation that results in eosinophil invasion may occur in severe cases.

Replication and meta-analysis of TMEM132D gene variants in panic disorder

A recent genome-wide association study in patients with panic disorder (PD) identified a risk haplotype consisting of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7309727 and rs11060369) located in intron 3 of TMEM132D to be associated with PD in three independent samples. Now we report a subsequent confirmation study using five additional PD case-control samples (n = 1670 cases and n = 2266 controls) assembled as part of the Panic Disorder International Consortium (PanIC) study for a total of 2678 cases and 3262 controls in the analysis. In the new independent samples of European ancestry (EA), the association of rs7309727 and the risk haplotype rs7309727-rs11060369 was, indeed, replicated, with the strongest signal coming from patients with primary PD, that is, patients without major psychiatric comorbidities (n = 1038 cases and n = 2411 controls). This finding was paralleled by the results of the meta-analysis across all samples, in which the risk haplotype and rs7309727 reached P-levels of P = 1.4e-8 and P = 1.1e-8, respectively, when restricting the samples to individuals of EA with primary PD. In the Japanese sample no associations with PD could be found. The present results support the initial finding that TMEM132D gene contributes to genetic susceptibility for PD in individuals of EA. Our results also indicate that patient ascertainment and genetic background could be important sources of heterogeneity modifying this association signal in different populations.

Search for supersymmetry in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √[s]=7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the weak production of charginos and neutralinos decaying to a final state with three leptons (electrons or muons) and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis uses 2.06 fb(-1) of √[s]=7 TeV proton-proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with standard model expectations in two signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric and simplified models. For the simplified models, degenerate lightest chargino and next-to-lightest neutralino masses up to 300 GeV are excluded for mass differences from the lightest neutralino up to 300 GeV.

Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the LHC

This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ([Formula: see text]) in the e±μ∓ continuum using 2.1 fb-1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 % C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass ([Formula: see text]). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for [Formula: see text] to 30 fb for [Formula: see text].

Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ℓ+ ℓ- ℓ+ ℓ-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.

Association of TLR polymorphisms with development of tuberculosis in Indonesian females

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many candidate genes have been investigated for a possible association with TB. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to play important roles in human innate immune systems. Polymorphisms in and functions of TLRs have been investigated to identify associations with specific infectious diseases, including TB. Here, we examined whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLRs and genes in TLR signaling were associated with TB susceptibility in Indonesian and Vietnamese populations. A statistically significant association was observed between TB susceptibility in a classified Indonesian female group and rs352139, an SNP located in the intron of TLR9, using the genotype (P = 2.76E-04) and recessive (AA vs AG+GG, P = 2.48E-04, odds ratio = 1.827, 95% confidence interval = 1.321-2.526) models. Meta-analysis of the Indonesian and Vietnamese populations showed that rs352139 was significantly associated with TB in the recessive model. This finding indicated that a TLR9 polymorphism might have an important role in the susceptibility to M. tuberculosis in Asian populations.

Topical and intermittent application of parathyroid hormone recovers alveolar bone loss in rat experimental periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Periodontitis is characterized by periodontal tissue inflammation and alveolar bone loss. The intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a major regulator of bone remodeling, has been demonstrated to stimulate osteoblastic activity. Although the systemic administration of PTH has been reported to protect against periodontitis-associated bone loss, the effect of the topical administration of PTH is unclear. In this study, the effect of intermittent administration of PTH on osteoblastic differentiation was examined in cultured calvaria cells and then the effect of topical and intermittent administration of PTH was determined by measuring the recovery of alveolar bone loss after inducing experimental periodontitis in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Alkaline phosphatase activity and bone nodule formation were measured in fetal rat calvaria cells. Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing nylon ligature around rat maxillary molars for 20 d. After ligature removal (day 0), PTH was topically injected into buccal gingiva three times a week for 10 wk. Micro-computed tomography analysis and histological examination were performed on days 35 and 70.

RESULTS

Intermittent exposure of PTH in calvaria cells increased alkaline phosphatase activity and bone nodule formation by 1.4- and 2.4-fold, respectively. Ligature procedures induced marked alveolar bone loss around the molars on day 0 and greater bone recovery was observed in the PTH-treated rats on day 70. An increase in osteoid formation on the surface of alveolar bone was detected in the PTH-treated rats.

CONCLUSION

Intermittent treatment with PTH stimulated osteoblastic differentiation in fetal rat calvaria cell cultures, and topical and intermittent administration of PTH recovered alveolar bone loss in rat experimental periodontitis.

Genetic relationships between Japanese native and commercial breeds using 70 chicken autosomal SNP genotypes by the DigiTag2 assay

Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been used to identify genes or genomic regions responsible for economic traits, including genetic diseases in domestic animals, and to examine genetic diversity of populations. In this study, we genotyped 70 chicken autosomal SNPs using DigiTag2 assay to understand the genetic structure of the Japanese native chicken breeds Satsumadori and Ingie, and the relationship of these breeds with other established breeds, Rhode Island Red (RIR), commercial broiler and layer. Five breeds, each consisting of approximately 20 chickens, were subjected to the assay, revealing the following: Average expected heterozygosities of broiler, Satsumadori, RIR, layer and Ingie were 0.265, 0.254, 0.244, 0.179 and 0.176, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using the concatenated 70 autosomal SNP genotypes distinguished all chickens and formed clusters of chickens belonging to the respective breeds. In addition, the 2-D scatter plot of the first two principal components was consistent with the phylogenic tree. Taken together with the pairwise F(st) distances, broiler and RIR were closely positioned near each other, while Ingie was positioned far from the other breeds. Structure analysis revealed that the probable number of genetic clusters (K) was six and four with maximum likelihood and ΔK values, respectively. The clustering with maximum likelihood revealed that, in addition to the clustering of the other five breeds, the Satsumadori was subdivided into two genetic clusters. The clustering with ΔK value indicated that the broiler and Rhode Island Red were assigned to the same genetic cluster.

Genetic link among Hani, Bulang and other Southeast Asian populations: evidence from HLA -A, -B, -C, -DRB1 genes and haplotypes distribution

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genetic characteristic of different ethnic minorities would be useful for tracing the origin of modern human HLA matching in transplantation and disease associations. In this study, we reported HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 alleles and haplotypes in the Bulang and Hani populations of southwestern China using a high-resolution polymerase chain reaction-Luminex (PCR-Luminex) typing method. A total of nine HLA-A, 22 HLA-B, 13 HLA-C and 18 HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified in the Bulang population, and 11 HLA-A, 25 HLA-B, 14 HLA-C and 19 HLA-DRB1 alleles were in the Hani population. Compared with other populations, the predominant A*1101-B*1502-DRB1*1202 haplotype in the Bulang and Hani populations was also common in Jinuo, Wa, Dai, Maonan and Vietnamese populations. The distribution of HLA genes indicate that Bulang and Hani populations belong to the Southeast Asia group and they have maintained their original genetic characteristics and kept a long genetic distance from other populations owing to founder effects and subsequent geographic isolation. In addition, the close relationship among ethnic groups in Yunnan province and the Thai and Vietnamese populations were confirmed, whereas the Mon-Kmer-speaking populations shared other common HLA alleles and haplotypes compared with other linguistic groups.

The association and differentiation of MHC class I polymorphic Alu insertions and HLA-B/Cw alleles in seven Chinese populations

We investigated polymorphic Alu insertion (POALIN) frequencies at five loci in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genomic region to determine their allele and haplotype frequencies and associations with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B and -Cw genes in seven different Chinese ethnic populations, the Han, Bulang, Wa, Dai, Maonan, Hani and Jinuo. The POALINs varied in frequency between 0% and 42.3% with significant differences between populations at all of the loci. Each POALIN was in significant linkage disequilibrium with a variety of HLA-B or -Cw four-digit alleles. The percentage association between Alu insertions and the HLA-B or -Cw alleles was calculated in pairwise analyses of haplotypes to show possible crossing over events between loci. The POALIN insertions also helped to further stratify the HLA-B:-Cw haplotypes into different POALIN:HLA-B:HLA-Cw haplotype frequencies. Of the two-locus, five-locus and seven-locus haplotype analyses, the seven-locus haplotypes showed the largest number of differences between the populations. The most common multilocus haplotype in Han was MICB*1:B*4601:Cw*0102:TF*1:HJ*1:HG*2:HF*1 (15.6%) associated with the AluHG insertion, whereas the second most common multilocus haplotype in Han was MICB*1:B*1502:Cw*0801:TF*1:HJ*2:HG*1:HF*1 (11.8%) associated with the AluHJ insertion. This comparative study of multilocus POALINs in the HLA class I region of seven Chinese ethnic populations shows that POALINs alone or together with the HLA class I alleles are informative genetic markers for the identification of HLA class I allele and haplotype lineages and variations such as crossing over events within the same and/or different populations.