Role of the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 Polymorphism in the Development of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: Evidence from a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The association between the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism and the risk of POAG has been widely reported, but the results of previous studies remain controversial. To comprehensively evaluate the APOE ɛ2/ɛ3/ε4 polymorphism on the genetic risk for POAG, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published studies. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted from these studies and odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed to estimate the strength of the association. Stratified analyses according to ethnicity and sensitivity analyses were also conducted for further confirmation. A total of nine studies were eligible for the meta-analysis, and these studies included data on 1928 POAG cases and 1793 unrelated match controls. The combined results showed that there were no associations between the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism and POAG risk in any of the 10 comparison models. The analysis that was stratified by ethnicity subgroups also failed to reveal a significant association. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of the findings. There was no risk of publication bias. Our meta-analysis provides strong evidence that the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism is not associated with POAG susceptibility in any populations.     

Magnesium Deficiency in Patients on Long-Term Diuretic Therapy for Heart Failure

Magnesium levels in serum, erythrocytes, skeletal muscle, and bone were measured in 10 patients with valvular heart disease who had received diuretic therapy for heart failure for an average of 3·3 years. Five patients were found to have diminished values for skeletal muscle, indicating significant magnesium deficit. Values for erythrocytes were low in only two of the five patients, and none had low values for serum ultrafiltrate and bone: Magnesium replacement therapy restored skeletal muscle values to normal. Clinical features consistent with the presence of magnesium deficiency were found in all five magnesium-deficient patients. These features were, with few exceptions, corrected by magnesium replacement. The latter also corrected low skeletal muscle potassium values present in all five patients with low skeletal muscle magnesium, four of whom showed clinical features of digoxin poisoning before magnesium therapy was given. Concomitant secondary aldosteronism, inadequate dietary intake, and digoxin therapy had probably augmented the magnesium loss due to diuretic therapy.     

Lactic acid bacteria: hydrophobicity and strength of attachment to meat surfaces

The hydrophobicity and strength of a ttachment of several lactic acid bacteria with antimicrobial activity were studied. Hydrophobicity was determined by bacterial adherence to hydrocarbons (BATH; octane or xylene), adhesion to nitrocellulose filters (NCF), salt aggregation test (SAT) and adherence to phenyl–Sepharose beads (PSB). The relative hydrophobicity of lactic acid bacteria depended markedly on the method used. No correlation between either SAT or BATH (octane) and strength of attachment (Sr value) existed. However, a significant relationship between strength of attachment and BATH (xylene), NCF and PSB, respectively, was observed, showing the highest correlation coefficient ( r = 0·778) for BATH (xylene).     

Moduler l’action du glutamate dans le cerveau: de nouvelles pistes ouvertes grâce aux récepteurs métabotropiques

The rapid transmission of information in the central nervous system is mostly mediated by glutamate synapses. The control of this system quickly appeared as a way to modulate, and perhaps normalize, a number of brain dysfunctions. However, the central role of glutamate receptors involved in this transmission, the ionotropic AMPA and NMDA receptors, appeared as an obstacle to the development of drugs devoid of side effects. The discovery of a second family of glutamate receptors, more than fifteen years ago, offered new possibilities to act on the glutamate system. These receptors, the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors which are coupled to G-proteins, modulate excitatory synaptic transmission. Eight mGlu receptors have been identified and localized either on the post-synaptic element, where they can regulate the AMPA and NMDA receptor activity, or on the presynaptic element, where they control the release of glutamate or other neurotransmitters. Recent data highlights the therapeutic potential of drugs acting at these receptors for the treatment of a variety of pathologies including anxiety, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.