The Relation betweenHelicobacter pyloriInfection and Acute Bacterial Diarrhea in Children

Background.H. pyloriinfection leads to chronic gastritis in both children and adults. But recently, there are arising theories of its protective effect in diarrheal diseases.Aim. To explore the prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection in children with bacterial diarrhea and compare it with healthy controls.Patients and Methods. Two matched groups consisted of 122 consecutive children, aged 24–72 months old, with acute bacterial diarrhea, who had Shigellosis (N=68) and Salmonellosis (N=54) as patients group and 204 healthy asymptomatic children as control group enrolled in this study.Results. The prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection in healthy control children was significantly higher than in patients group, (odds ratio = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.33–9.5,P=0.007). In our study, only 2/54Salmonellainfected patients and 3/68 of Shigellosis had evidence ofH. pyloriinfection, while normal control children had 27/204 infected individuals.Conclusion.H. pyloriinfection may play a protective role against bacterial diarrhea in children. So it is important to consider all of the positive and negative aspects ofH. pyloriinfection before its eradication.

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The 20210 A Allele of the Prothrombin Gene Is a Common Risk Factor among Swedish Outpatients with Verified Deep Venous Thrombosis

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1657674 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 78 (03) ◽

pp. 0990-0992 ◽

Cited By ~ 161

Author(s):

Andreas Hillarp ◽

Bengt Zӧller ◽

Peter J Svensson ◽

Bjӧrn Dahlbäck

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Venous Thrombosis ◽

Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Untranslated Region ◽

Control Group ◽

Common Risk Factor ◽

Apc Resistance ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Prothrombin Gene

SummaryA dimorphism in the 3’-untranslated region of the prothrombin gene (G to A transition at position 20210) has recently been reported to be associated with increases in plasma prothrombin levels and in the risk of venous thrombosis (1). We have examined the prothrombin dimorphism among 99 unselected outpatients with phlebography verified deep venous thrombosis, and in 282 healthy controls. The prevalence of the 20210 A allele was 7.1% (7/99) in the patient group, and 1.8% (5/282) in the healthy control group (p = 0.0095). The relative risk of venous thrombosis was calculated to be 4.2 (95% Cl, 1.3 to 13.6), and was still significant when adjustment was made for age, sex and the factor V:R506Q mutation causing APC resistance [odds ratio 3.8 (95% Cl, 1.1 13.2)]. As previously reported, 28% of the patients were carriers of the factor V:R506Q mutation. Thus, 34% (one patient carried both traits) of unselected patients with deep venous thrombosis were carriers of an inherited prothrombotic disorder. To sum up, our results confirm the 20210 A allele of the prothrombin gene to be an important risk factor for venous thrombosis.

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Association between circulating leptin levels and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2017-135397 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 94 (1111) ◽

pp. 278-283 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Xue-Feng Xie ◽

Xiao-Hui Huang ◽

Ai-Zong Shen ◽

Jun Li ◽

Ye-Huan Sun

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Control Group ◽

Sample Type ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Effect Model ◽

Healthy Control

AimLeptin, synthesised by adipocytes, has been identified as a hormone that can influence inflammatory activity. Several studies have investigated leptin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but the results are not consistent. This study aims to derive a more precise evaluation on the relationship between circulating leptin levels and MS.DesignA comprehensive literature searched up to July 2017 was conducted to evaluate the association of circulating leptin levels and MS. The random-effect model was applied to calculate pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) and its 95% CI.Main outcome measuresCirculating leptin levels of patients with MS and healthy controls.ResultsOf 2155 studies identified, 33 met eligibility criteria and 9 studies with 645 patients with MS and 586 controls were finally included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that, compared with the healthy control group, the MS group had significantly higher plasma/serum leptin levels, with the SMD of 0.70% and 95% CI (0.24 to 1.15). Subgroup analyses suggested that the leptin levels of patients with MS were associated with region, age, study sample size, measurement type, gender and blood sample type.ConclusionOverall, our study suggests that patients with MS have a significantly higher leptin level than in healthy controls. Further mechanism studies and longitudinal large cohort studies are still needed to further reveal the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of MS.

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Physical Health Profile and Associated Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.759694 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jon Dyg Sperling ◽

Nina Dalkner ◽

Christina Berndt ◽

Eva Fleischmann ◽

Michaela Ratzenhofer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Brief Symptom Inventory ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased psychological strain on public mental health and may impact behavioral, mental, and physical health, presumably with effects on patients with severe mental disorders. This study examines pandemic-related physical and mental health and (compensatory) behavioral changes, in patients with BD as compared to healthy control individuals.Method: Physical and mental health and self-reported changes in daily structure and behavior due to the pandemic were assessed using a self-constructed questionnaire and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in Germany, Austria, and Denmark in individuals with BD and a healthy control group.Results: The present study included 118 individuals with BD and 215 healthy controls. Individuals with BD reported statistically significant higher physical risk burden, increased weight gain, more physical comorbidities, and a decrease in physical activity and they further reported higher rates of COVID-19 testing, had more worries concerning health, and experienced more anxiety but less social distancing.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a greater impact on physical health in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. Individuals with BD appear to be having more difficulties compensating their behavior due to the pandemic which could amplify the effect of risk factors associated with poorer physical health. This highlights the necessity for optimizing and targeting the overall treatment of both mental and physical health in patients with BD during periods with far-reaching changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Limitations: Sampling issues and self-report forms, selectivity (missing elderly, and those lacking access or knowledge of technology).

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Galectin-3 as a Novel Multifaceted and Not Only Cardiovascular Biomarker in Patients with Psoriasis with Regard to Systemic Treatment—Preliminary Data

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology11010088 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 88

Author(s):

Anna Baran ◽

Paulina Kiluk ◽

Julia Nowowiejska ◽

Tomasz W. Kaminski ◽

Magdalena Maciaszek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protective Role ◽

Control Group ◽

Plaque Type ◽

Before And After ◽

Diagnostic Role ◽

Galectin 3 ◽

Healthy Control ◽

History Of ◽

Cardiovascular Biomarker ◽

Positive Correlations

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a multifunctional regulator of various biological processes and diseases, which are common comorbidities in psoriasis. Data regarding potential diagnostic role of gal-3 in psoriasis are insufficient. Serum gal-3 levels were evaluated before and after twelve weeks of treatment with acitretin or methotrexate in 31 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and compared to 11 healthy control group. The mean serum galectin-3 level in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In patients with obesity and long-lasting psoriasis (>20 years) positive relations of gal-3 and PASI were noted. In psoriatics with low gal-3 levels, positive correlations between the gal-3 and BMI, glucose level, and with the latter in short-lasting psoriasis (<20 years) were noted. In the long history of psoriasis, gal-3 was negatively correlated with lipids levels. The Gal-3 level might be a multifaceted modulator of the course of psoriasis and predictive factor of cardiometabolic comorbidities’ development, especially in patients with a long history of the disease or obesity. Patients with low serum gal-3 and short history of psoriasis are presumably at greater risk of diabetes. In patients with long-lasting psoriasis and concomitant obesity, gal-3 may exert a protective role against dyslipidemia or perhaps further CMD development.

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Shortened platelet half-life in multiple myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v68.2.514.bloodjournal682514 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 514-520

Author(s):

E Fritz ◽

H Ludwig ◽

W Scheithauer ◽

H Sinzinger

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Half Life ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Statistical Correlation ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Platelet Factor ◽

Healthy Control

Various defects in platelet function have been reported as being associated with multiple myeloma. In 30 myeloma patients and 15 healthy controls, we investigated platelet survival using in vitro labeling of autologous platelets with 111indium-oxine and measuring the in vivo kinetics of the radioisotope. Significantly shortened platelet half- life in patients averaged 73 hours, while platelet half-life in the healthy controls averaged 107 hours. In myeloma patients, serum levels of thromboxane B2, beta-thromboglobulin, and platelet factor 4 were significantly elevated; aggregation indices were within the pathological range; platelet counts and spleen-liver indices, however, were comparable to those of the healthy control group. No statistical correlation was found between platelet half-life and paraprotein concentrations. Our findings suggest an initial--so far unexplained-- intravascular process of platelet activation and consumption that finally manifests in shortened platelet half-life. It seems that overt thrombocytopenia develops only when the compensatory capacity of the bone marrow finally becomes exhausted. Further studies should be able to elucidate the pathophysiologic processes involved.

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The expression and significance of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9 in the tears of the infected eye and contralateral uninfected eye in patients with fungal keratitis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-269176/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shuang Zhang ◽

Hui-Min Wu ◽

Xiang-Ni Cao ◽

Xian-Qi Zhang ◽

Gui-ping Gao

Keyword(s):

Tear Film ◽

Fungal Keratitis ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Cytokine Levels ◽

Healthy Control ◽

The Relationship ◽

Tear Film Function

Abstract Background: We investigated bilateral tear cytokine levels including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with fungal keratitis(FK). Meanwhile, we evaluated the relationship between the changes of tear cytokines with corneal perception and pain in infected eyes, and the relationship between tear cytokines and tear film function in contralateral uninfected eyes .Methods : A total of 60(20 FK, 20 contralateral, 20 healthy controls) tear samples were collected prospectively and analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Approximately 50 to 60 ul of tear samples in each case were collected. Meanwhile ,we analyzed the changes of visual analogue scale(VAS), tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT) and corneal perception compared with healthy controls. Results :The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-17 increased in bilateral eyes compared with healthy controls(P<0.05). The tear concentrations of MMP-9 , TNF-α only significantly increased in affected eyes (P <0.05). Patients with FK showed significant reduction in corneal perception of infected eyes compared with controls(P<0.05). Corneal perception of the normal eyes in FK patients was slightly lower than that of control group, but there was not statistical difference (P>0.05).TBUT and SIT of contralateral uninfected eyes were significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.05), which were significantly correlated with levels of IL-1β, IL-17(P<0.05). SIT were also negatively correlated with MMP-9(P<0.05), while the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and MMP-9 in the tears of the healthy control group had no significant correlation with TBUT and SIT indicators(P>0.05).The corneal perception and VAS score of the affected FK eyes showed correlation with IL-1β, IL-17 and TNF-α(P<0.05).In addition, concentration of IL-10 inversely was correlated with VAS (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proinflammatory tear cytokines are elevated in bilateral eyes with unilateral FK as associated with tear film function ,pain and corneal sensitivity.

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Elevation of inflammatory S100A8/S100A9 complexes in intracranial aneurysms

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-015753 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1117-1121

Author(s):

Antonius Mattheus de Korte ◽

René Aquarius ◽

Thomas Vogl ◽

Johannes Roth ◽

Ronald H M A Bartels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vessel Wall ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Activated Macrophages ◽

Related Factors ◽

Aneurysm Wall ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Insight Into

BackgroundInflammation-related factors might give further insight into the pathophysiology of vessel wall inflammation and intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture. One of these factors is the protein complex S100A8/A9, which is released by neutrophils, monocytes, and activated macrophages and is known for its role in cardiovascular disease.ObjectiveTo determine if venous S100A8/A9 levels in patients with a ruptured IA (rIA) or unruptured IA (uIA) are elevated compared with a control group. Second, to assess differences between venous and intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels of rIA and uIA patients.MethodsA prospective case study was performed between June 2016 and May 2017 in patients harboring a ruptured or unruptured saccular IA. Primary outcome measures were individual S100A8/A9 serum concentrations as measured in venous and intra-aneurysmal blood samples during endovascular treatment. Venous serum S100A8/A9 concentrations from a healthy control group served as a reference.ResultsWe included 16 patients with either a rIA or uIA and 47 healthy controls. Venous S100A8/A9 concentrations were higher in aneurysm patients (rIA and uIA) than those of healthy controls (P≤0.001). S100A8/A9 concentrations were higher in intra-aneurysmal samples than in venous samples of rIA patients (P=0.011). This difference was not found in uIA patients (P=0.054). Intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels were higher in rIAs than in uIAs (P=0.04).ConclusionsVenous S100A8/A9 levels are elevated in patients with both rIAs and uIAs compared with healthy controls and likely represents aneurysm wall inflammation. S100A8/A9 causes macrophage-induced inflammation and degeneration of the vessel wall which might explain higher intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels found in rIAs than in uIAs.

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Cognitive deficits and white matter abnormalities in never-treated first-episode schizophrenia

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-020-01049-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mi Yang ◽

Shan Gao ◽

Xiangyang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

White Matter ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Internal Capsule ◽

First Episode ◽

Control Group ◽

Pathophysiological Mechanism ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Healthy Control ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Cognitive impairment is viewed as a core symptom of schizophrenia (SCZ), but its pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. White matter (WM) disruption is considered to be a central abnormality that may contribute to cognitive impairment in SCZ patients. However, few studies have addressed the association between cognition and WM integrity in never-treated first-episode (NTFE) patients with SCZ. In this study, we used the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) to evaluate cognitive function in NTFE patients (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 30), and associated it with whole-brain fractional anisotropy (FA) values obtained via voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging. We found that FA was lower in five brain areas of SCZ patients, including the cingulate gyrus, internal capsule, corpus callosum, cerebellum, and brainstem. Compared with the healthy control group, the MCCB’s total score and 8 out of 10 subscores were significantly lower in NTFE patients (all p < 0.001). Moreover, in patients but not healthy controls, the performance in the Trail Making Test was negatively correlated with the FA value in the left cingulate. Our findings provide evidence that WM disconnection is involved in some cognitive impairment in the early course of SCZ.

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Distinct effects of over-general autobiographical memory on suicidal ideation among depressed and healthy people

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-020-02877-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wen Jiang ◽

Guangtao Hu ◽

Jingxuan Zhang ◽

Ken Chen ◽

Dongni Fan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Autobiographical Memory ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Study Data ◽

Path Model ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Healthy Control

Abstract Background Childhood trauma and over-general autobiographical memory (OGM) are crucial risk factors of suicide. This study aimed to investigate whether suicidal ideation was predicted by one’s childhood trauma and OGM and the mechanism of OGM underlying suicidal ideation in depression patients and healthy controls. Methods A total of 180 depression patients and 176 matched healthy individuals were recruited in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was obtained. Path analysis was conducted to test a meditational model. The multigroup comparison was applied to find differences between groups. Results Significant differences were detected between depression patients and healthy controls with respect to childhood trauma, OGM, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. OGM was positively correlated with both current and worst-point suicidal ideation in the depression group and significantly correlated with worst-point suicidal ideation in the healthy control group. The path model showed that childhood trauma had a direct impact on the current suicidal ideation directly, and an indirect influence through OGM and worst-point suicidal ideation. Multigroup analysis further demonstrated that OGM affected and mediated the current suicidal ideation due to childhood trauma in depression patients, whereas only worst-point suicidal ideation was affected in healthy controls. Conclusions The OGM mediates suicidal ideation in depression patients, but only affects the worst-point suicidal ideation in the healthy controls. As it is one of the major risk factors of suicidal ideation in depression, amelioration of OGM might be an useful method to reduce or prevent suicidal ideation in depression patients.

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HLA Specificities and Predisposition to the Development of Multiple Myeloma (MM).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1688.1688 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 1688-1688

Author(s):

Meral Beksac ◽

Martin Maiers ◽

Loren Gragert ◽

Stephen Spellman ◽

Smriti Shrestha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protective Effect ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Allele Frequencies ◽

Single Locus ◽

Hla Typing ◽

Control Group ◽

Comparison Results ◽

Haplotype Frequencies ◽

Locus Allele ◽

Chi Square Analysis

Abstract Background: HLA associations for the risk of developing MM have been described in various non-Caucasian ethnic groups but have not revealed consistent results. Racial and genetic differences in cytokine polymorphisms linked to extended haplotypes; association of autoimmune disorders with HLA types; the proximity of the HLA Class I and II genes to TNF and other Class III genes responsible for complement and cytokines suggest that HLA polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of developing MM. Aim: We compared HLA-A,-B and -DRB1 2-digit allele and haplotype frequencies in patients with MM to the normal population in order to define HLA specificities associated with the risk of developing MM. Methods: A cohort of 1803 US Caucasian patients with MM were identified based on availability of HLA-A, B, DRB1 DNA-based typing or serologic typing converted to 2-digit alleles. These patients had either received a matched sibling allogeneic transplant for MM reported to the CIBMTR (N=174) or had HLA typing performed for an unrelated donor search conducted through the US National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) (N=1629). HLA-A, B and DRB1 allele frequencies among patients were compared to A-B-DRB1 frequencies in HLA typed healthy US Caucasian controls (N= 433838) from the NMDP database. The most frequent alleles among patients and controls as well as HLA haplotype frequencies generated using the EM (expectation-maximization) algorithm were compared using Chi-Square analysis with Bonferroni correction for the number of comparisons. Results: Patients with MM had a median age of 49 (range 3–78) years and M/F ratio of 1.86 (1172/631). The controls had a median age of 44 (range 18–60) years and M/F ratio of 0.735 (183785/250053). Comparison of HLA-A, -B and –DRB1 single-locus allele frequencies between the myeloma patients and controls (those in the top 10 in either group) revealed similarity except for HLA-B*07 and B*44. B*44 was observed less frequently among the patients (a protective effect) frequency (f): 0.126 vs 0.145 (p= 0.005, Odds Ratio (OR): 0.848). On the contrary, HLA-B*07 was more common (a predisposing effect) among patients (OR: 1.135, p=0.047). Among the top 20 two locus (HLA-A-B and HLA-B-DRB1) haplotype frequencies in either group, B*44-DRB1*13 and B*07-DRB1*13 were significant: OR: 0.506 and 1.714 (p=0.003 and 0.007) respectively. A-B-DRB1 haplotype comparisons showed significance for: A*02-B*44-DRB1*04 (OR: 0.686, p=0.021), A*02-B*44-DRB1*13 (OR: 0.445, p=0.065) and A*02-B*07-DRB1*04 (OR: 1.968, p=0.029) confirming the single and B-DRB1 combination comparison results. Significantly different HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 single-locus allele or haplotype frequencies between patients and controls are shown in table 1. Conclusion: This is the largest epidemiologic study of HLA allele frequencies and the first study on HLA haplotype frequencies in MM. We observed a protective effect on the risk of developing MM with B*44 and a predisposing effect with B*07. Similar predisposing and protective haplotype associations were observed with A*02-B*07-DRB1*04 and A*02-B*44-DRB1*04 respectively. A revised analysis using a gender-matched control group is in progress. Further study including major histocompatibility region SNP mapping and candidate gene testing will help elucidate the genetic basis underlying this observation. Table 1. Allele/Haplotype Frequency Controls Frequency MM Odds Ratio (OR) P value (corrected) OR = odds of observing the allele/haplotype in patients compared to controls A*02-B*44-DRB1*13 0.00620 0.00277 0.445 0.065 B*44-DRB1*13 0.01359 0.00686 0.507 0.003 A*02-B*44-DRB1*04 0.02605 0.01813 0.686 0.021 B*44 0.14552 0.12618 0.848 0.005 B*07 0.13313 0.14836 1.134 0.047 B*07-DRB1*13 0.00814 0.01397 1.714 0.007 A*02-B*07-DRB1*04 0.00367 0.00721 1.968 0.029

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