scholarly journals Association Between Human Leukocyte Antigen and COVID-19 Severity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Hajebi ◽  
Ali Ajam ◽  
Shahrokh Karbalai Saleh ◽  
Haleh Ashraf ◽  
Mohammadreza Ostadali Dehaghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Hla Typing ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

In the last days of 2019, a new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, and less than three months its disease, now called COVID-19, was announced a global pandemic by WHO. COVID-19 usually causes respiratory symptoms and can lead to more severe conditions like ARDS. HLA has a crucial role in regulating the immune system; thus, different HLA allele types can be a protective or risk factor for some diseases, so we aimed to find such associations to determine whether some alleles can predict susceptibility or resistibility to COVID-19 and finally facilitate vaccine development. In this case-control study, 15 admitted COVID-19 cases with severe symptoms and ten individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled in the case and control groups, respectively. They were genotyped for HLA A/B/DR loci using a low-resolution HLA typing test. These alleles were more prevalent in case (severe COVID-19) group: A*24 (53.33% vs 10%), B*50 (20% vs 10%), B*55 (20% vs 10%), DRB1*04 (40% vs 20%) and DRB1*11 (53.33% vs 30%) but the difference was only statically significant in A*24 allele (P=0.027; odd ratio=10.286). A*24 was also more prevalent in all patients than the general population in Iran. A*24 was the only allele more prevalent in severe COVID-19 cases with statistical significance. This allele was reported to be a risk factor for such autoimmune diseases as type 1 diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, which may be related to reported immune system hyperresponsiveness in severe COVID-19 cases.

scholarly journals The presence of non-criteria manifestations negatively affects the prognosis of seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome patients: a multicenter study

2022 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilberto Pires da Rosa ◽  
Bernardo Sousa-Pinto ◽  
Ester Ferreira ◽  
Olga Araújo ◽  
Giuseppe Barilaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Single Positive ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome (SN-APS) is often defined as the presence of APS criteria manifestations, negative antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), and coexistence of APS non-criteria manifestations. Nevertheless, the impact of these non-criteria features is still unclear. On a different note, the relevance of one single aPL positive determination in patients with APS manifestations is another domain with limited evidence. We aim to compare the course of SN-APS and single-positive aPL (SP-aPL) patients with that of individuals with APS manifestations without non-criteria features/aPL positivity (controls). Methods Retrospective analysis of patients with thrombosis/obstetric morbidity assessed in two European hospitals between 2005 and 2020. Patients were divided into SN-APS, SP-aPL, and control groups. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and therapies were compared. Results A total of 82 patients were included in the SN-APS group, 88 in the SP-aPL group, and 185 in the control group. In Cox regression model, SN-APS displayed more thrombosis recurrence than controls (HR 3.8, 95% CI 2.2–6.5, p < 0.001) even when adjusting for the presence of hereditary thrombophilia, systemic lupus erythematosus, or contraceptive hormonal treatment. In SP-aPL, the difference in thrombosis recurrence did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.078). Indefinite anticoagulation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) use (p < 0.001 in both cases) were more common in SN-APS/SP-aPL. Conclusion SN-APS displayed more thrombosis recurrence, indefinite anticoagulation, and VKA use than controls without non-criteria manifestations. The presence of such features in patients with thrombosis and negative aPL may negatively impact their clinical course.

scholarly journals Effects of two different deep digital flexor tenotomy techniques on distal articular angles of equine cadaver forelimbs

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 2005-2010
Author(s):  
Antonio Cezar de Oliveira Dearo ◽  
Vitor Bruno Bianconi Rosa ◽  
Peter Reichmann ◽  
Milton Luis Ribeiro de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Distal Interphalangeal ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Flexor Tenotomy

Deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy is a technique employed for years to treat selected disorders of the musculoskeletal system in horses. Although two different surgical approaches (i.e. mid-metacarpal and pastern) have been described for performing the procedure, in vitro quantitative data regarding the modifications induced by either technique on the distal articular angles is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the viability of a proposed biomechanical system of induced-traction used to compare the two DDF tenotomy techniques by measuring the distal articular angles of equine cadaver forelimbs. Ten pairs of forelimbs were collected and mounted to a biomechanical system developed to apply traction at the toe level. Dorsal articular angles of the metacarpophalangeal (MP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints were determined by geometric lines on radiographs taken before and after performing each technique. Comparisons between each tenotomy group and its own control, for each joint, and between the two tenotomy groups using as variable the difference between the tenotomy and control groups were tested. Despite the lack of statistical significance, the DDF tenotomy technique at the pastern level produced extension, to a lesser and greater extent, of the PIP and DIP joints, respectively when compared to the mid-metacarpal level. No remarkable differences could be observed for the MP joint. The developed traction-induced biomechanical construct seemed to be effective in producing valuable quantitative estimations of the distal articular angles of equine cadaver forelimbs subjected to different DDF tenotomy techniques.

scholarly journals Shared HLA Class II in Six Autoimmune Diseases in Latin America: A Meta-Analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Cruz-Tapias ◽  
Oscar M. Pérez-Fernández ◽  
Adriana Rojas-Villarraga ◽  
Alberto Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
María-Teresa Arango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Hla Class Ii ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Latin Americans ◽  
Leukocyte Antigen

The prevalence and genetic susceptibility of autoimmune diseases (ADs) may vary depending on latitudinal gradient and ethnicity. The aims of this study were to identify common human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles that contribute to susceptibility to six ADs in Latin Americans through a meta-analysis and to review additional clinical, immunological, and genetic characteristics of those ADs sharing HLA alleles. DRB1∗03:01 (OR: 4.04; 95%CI: 1.41–11.53) was found to be a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). DRB1∗04:05 (OR: 4.64; 95%CI: 2.14–10.05) influences autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and T1D; DRB1∗04:01 (OR: 3.86; 95%CI: 2.32–6.42) is a susceptibility factor for RA and T1D. Opposite associations were found between multiple sclerosis (MS) and T1D. DQB1∗06:02 and DRB1∗15 alleles were risk factors for MS but protective factors for T1D. Likewise, DQB1∗06:03 allele was a risk factor for AIH but a protective one for T1D. Several common autoantibodies and clinical associations as well as additional shared genes have been reported in these ADs, which are reviewed herein. These results indicate that in Latin Americans ADs share major loci and immune characteristics.

scholarly journals An Overview of Influenza Viruses and Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1032
Author(s):  
Rina Fajri Nuwarda ◽  
Abdulsalam Abdullah Alharbi ◽  
Veysel Kayser
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza Vaccines ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Testing Methods ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
And Control

Influenza remains one of the major public health concerns because it causes annual epidemics and can potentially instigate a global pandemic. Numerous countermeasures, including vaccines and antiviral treatments, are in use against seasonal influenza infection; however, their effectiveness has always been discussed due to the ongoing resistance to antivirals and relatively low and unpredictable efficiency of influenza vaccines compared to other vaccines. The growing interest in vaccines as a promising approach to prevent and control influenza may provide alternative vaccine development options with potentially increased efficiency. In addition to currently available inactivated, live-attenuated, and recombinant influenza vaccines on the market, novel platforms such as virus-like particles (VLPs) and nanoparticles, and new vaccine formulations are presently being explored. These platforms provide the opportunity to design influenza vaccines with improved properties to maximize quality, efficacy, and safety. The influenza vaccine manufacturing process is also moving forward with advancements relating to egg- and cell-based production, purification processes, and studies into the physicochemical attributes and vaccine degradation pathways. These will contribute to the design of more stable, optimized vaccine formulations guided by contemporary analytical testing methods and via the implementation of the latest advances in the field.

scholarly journals Have the same pathogenicity of Ureaplasma Parvum and Ureaplasma Urealyticum in non-specific cervicitis? -based on digital droplet PCR assay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfang Huang ◽  
Xiaoqin Xu ◽  
Panpan Lv ◽  
Zhen Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Ureaplasma Parvum ◽  
Digital Droplet Pcr ◽  
Droplet Pcr ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Ureaplasma Spp

Abstract Background: Ureaplasma spp. are association with a various of infectious diseases in female, but it still limited evidence for the pathogenicity in nonspecific cervicitis. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay for quantified the load of Ureaplasma spp in cervical swabs. Methods: A total of 293 non-specific cervicitis (NSC) patients and 211 asymptomatic female fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Cervical swabs were identified by qPCR and further absolutely quantified by ddPCR. Results: The prevalence of U.parvum were 51.9% (152/293) and 46.9% (99/211); while U.urealyticum were 8.2% (24/293) and 8.1% (17/211) in the NSC and Control group, respectively. In addition, the average Ct value and median copy number per microliter of U.parvum were 31.33 (n=152) and 599 (n=48) in the NSC group and 33.68 (n=99) and 17.4 (n=33) in control group, respectively, suggest that the load of U.parvum of NSC group were significantly higher than the asymptomatic individual (P<0.001). But, the median load number of U.urealyticum were 1.26 (n=22) and 5.35 (n=14) copies per microliter two groups, the difference was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: our study suggests that often carrying U.parvum at a high load but not U.urealyticum may have an important implications on the development and progression of cervicitis among female.

scholarly journals A statistical method for studying correlated rare events and their risk factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 1416-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaonan Xue ◽  
Mimi Y Kim ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Mark H Kuniholm ◽  
Howard D Strickler
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Binary Data ◽  
Rare Events ◽  
Permutation Test ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Colorectal Polyps ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Exact Methods

Longitudinal studies of rare events such as cervical high-grade lesions or colorectal polyps that can recur often involve correlated binary data. Risk factor for these events cannot be reliably examined using conventional statistical methods. For example, logistic regression models that incorporate generalized estimating equations often fail to converge or provide inaccurate results when analyzing data of this type. Although exact methods have been reported, they are complex and computationally difficult. The current paper proposes a mathematically straightforward and easy-to-use two-step approach involving (i) an additive model to measure associations between a rare or uncommon correlated binary event and potential risk factors and (ii) a permutation test to estimate the statistical significance of these associations. Simulation studies showed that the proposed method reliably tests and accurately estimates the associations of exposure with correlated binary rare events. This method was then applied to a longitudinal study of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype and risk of cervical high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women. Results showed statistically significant associations of two HLA alleles among HIV-negative but not HIV-positive women, suggesting that immune status may modify the HLA and cervical HSIL association. Overall, the proposed method avoids model nonconvergence problems and provides a computationally simple, accurate, and powerful approach for the analysis of risk factor associations with rare/uncommon correlated binary events.

Efficacy of curcuminoids for reducing postoperative pain after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: A pilot randomized trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Phoolcharoen ◽  
Shina Oranratanaphan ◽  
Chai Ariyasriwatana ◽  
Pongkasem Worasethsin
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Gynecologic Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Good Safety Profile ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Curcuminoids, which are substances extracted from turmeric, have been proved to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects along with a good safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of curcuminoids for reducing postoperative pain in patients who undergo laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Methods From November 2016 to December 2017, participants were randomly assigned, by blocks of four, to the intervention and control arms of the study. Altogether, 60 patients who were to undergo laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at our institution were enrolled. Intraoperative findings were not significantly different between the two groups. One tablet of curcuminoid extract 250 mg was given to patients in the intervention group four times a day on postoperative days 1–3. Pain was evaluated at 24 and 72 h postoperatively using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Results The median VAS score 24 h after surgery was 3 (1–6) in the intervention group and 4.5 (3–7) in the control group, with the difference reaching statistical significance (p=0.001). The median VAS at 72 h after surgery was 1 (0–2) in the intervention group and 2 (1–5) in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion Curcuminoids may be an effective supplement to reduce pain severity postoperatively following laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Trial Registration TCTR20180215001 www.clinicaltrials.in.th

Hypomagnesemia Is a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease- and Noncardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Fengping Zhang ◽  
Xianfeng Wu ◽  
Yueqiang Wen ◽  
Xiaojiang Zhan ◽  
Fen Fen Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Magnesium ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Death Causes ◽  
Related Mortality

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> Recent research has shown that hypomagnesemia is associated with increased all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients. However, the relationship between the long-term prognosis of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the study is not yet clear. This study will analyze the effects of hypomagnesemia on all-cause, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and non-CVD mortality in PD patients. <b><i>Method:</i></b> In a retrospective cohort study, 1,004 samples were selected from 7 PD centers in China. Based on the baseline blood magnesium level at the beginning of stable dialysis, all patients were classified into blood magnesium &#x3c;0.7 mmol/L group, 0.7–1.2 mmol/L group, and &#x3e;1.2 mmol/L group (the end event was death). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the difference in cumulative survival rate; the Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the risk factors of all-cause, CVD, and non-CVD death causes. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Cox multiple regression analysis results (reference comparison of 0.7–1.2 mmol/L group): patients with serum magnesium &#x3c;0.7 mmol/L have a higher risk ratio of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.580, 95% CI: 1.222–2.042, <i>p</i> = 0.001), and it is also obvious after correction by multiple models (HR = 1.578, 95% CI: 1.196–2.083, <i>p</i> = 0.001). Subgroup analysis of the causes of death was as follows: CVD risk (HR = 1.628, 95% CI: 1.114–2.379, <i>p</i> = 0.012) and non-CVD risk (HR = 1.521, 95% CI: 1.011–2.288, <i>p</i> = 0.044). Further analysis of the causes of infection-related death in non-CVD is also significant (HR = 1.919, 95% CI: 1.131–3.1257, <i>p</i> = 0.016). On the other hand, the serum magnesium&#x3e;1.2 mmol/L group had lower all-cause mortality after correction (HR = 0.687, 95% CI: 0.480–0.985, <i>p</i> = 0.041), and subgroup analysis of the cause of death had no statistical significance (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium &#x3c;0.7 mmol/L) during stable dialysis in PD patients is a risk factor for CVD- and non-CVD-related mortality, especially infection-related death causes.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF ELASTIC BANDAGE ON THE ANKLE BASKETBALL PLAYERS WITH AND WITHOUT CHRONIC INSTABILITY

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 460-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique Hahn Souza ◽  
Ivan Pacheco ◽  
Luiza Cammerer Gehrke ◽  
Gabriel Pizetta de Freitas ◽  
Renata Fanfa Loureiro-Chaves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Chronic Ankle Instability ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Chronic Instability ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Introduction: Basketball is a sport that requires good motor coordination as well as intense and multidirectional movements. Chronic ankle instability affects about 40% of patients who have sustained a sprain injury. In order to minimize the effects of this dysfunction, functional elastic tape has been widely used due to its mechanical properties, having some positive effects on athletes’ functional performance. Objective: To evaluate the effect of elastic tapes on the ankles of basketball players with and without chronic instability. Method: Thirteen athletes from a varsity basketball team of both sexes, aged between 18 and 30 years (23.2 ± 3.2 years), who had been playing the sport for at least one year and trained at least twice a week. The subjects were assessed using the anterior drawer test for the presence or absence of chronic ankle instability and in three different situations: placebo, elastic tape and control, and the order of use of the implements was randomly determined, using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) to assess the ankle stability of these athletes. Results: Among the eight directions proposed in the SEBT, there was statistical significance in the difference in three directions for the placebo method in comparison to elastic taping and control. There was no statistical significance in the difference in four directions between the assessments, and there was no statistical significance in the difference in all directions between the control and elastic tapes. Conclusion: It can be inferred from the study that elastic taping does not have positive effects on joint stability in athletes with and without chronic instability, taking into account their functionality. Levef of Evidence I; High quality randomized trial with statistically significant difference or no statistically significant difference but narrow confidence intervals.

scholarly journals Which Gait Parameters and Walking Patterns Show the Significant Differences Between Parkinson’s Disease and Healthy Participants?

Biosensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keloth ◽  
Viswanathan ◽  
Jelfs ◽  
Arjunan ◽  
Raghav ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Stride Interval ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
Mean And Variance ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

This study investigated the difference in the gait of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), age-matched controls and young controls during three walking patterns. Experiments were conducted with 24 PD, 24 age-matched controls and 24 young controls, and four gait intervals were measured using inertial measurement units (IMU). Group differences between the mean and variance of the gait parameters (stride interval, stance interval, swing interval and double support interval) for the three groups were calculated and statistical significance was tested. The results showed that the variance in each of the four gait parameters of PD patients was significantly higher compared with the controls, irrespective of the three walking patterns. This study showed that the variance of any of the gait interval parameters obtained using IMU during any of the walking patterns could be used to differentiate between the gait of PD and control people.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document