Interaction between GSTM1 genotype and IL-6 on mortality in older adults: results from the ilSIRENTE study

Background and aimsThe inflammatory process is related to oxidative stress and inflammation was proven to be a strong determinant of the aging process and to ultimately lead to death. The aim of the present study was to assess if, in a population of older adults, the effect of antioxidant genes GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes on mortality may differ depending on levels of inflammation.MethodsData are from 353 older persons aged ?80 years enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study. Study population was divided into two groups computed based on the median value of serum IL-6 (low IL-6, n = 177 and high IL-6, n = 176). All participants were followed up for 48 months.ResultsMean age of study participants was 85.8 years (Standard Deviation 4.8), 235 (66.6%) were women. Overall 48/177 participant (27.1%) in the low IL-6 group died during the study period, compared with 97/176 (55.1%) in the high IL-6 group (p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, GSTM1 wildtype had no effect on mortality in the low IL-6 group (RR = 1.07; 95% CI 0.46–2.47), but it was associated with a significant lower mortality rate in the high IL-6 level (RR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.15–0.69). Testing the interaction between IL-6 and GSTM1 genotype, we found a significant result (p = 0.02). No significant effect of GSTT1 genotype on mortality was shown in participants with low and high IL-6 level.ConclusionGSTM1 wildtype is associated with reduced mortality among older adults with high levels of inflammation, but not among those with low levels of inflammation.     

Prognostic impact of definitive local therapy of the primary tumor in men with metastatic prostate cancer at diagnosis: A population-based,propensity score analysis

BackgroundThis study investigated whether definitive local therapy [radical prostatectomy (RP) or brachytherapy (BT)] of the primary tumor improves survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer (PrCA) at diagnosis.MethodsData on newly diagnosed metastatic PrCA cases (stage IV, N = 7858) were obtained from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Conventional multivariable survival analysis and propensity score analysis were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) comparing men who underwent definitive local therapy of the primary tumor to those who did not.ResultsAfter adjusting for sociodemographic and tumor attributes, having RP after diagnosis with metastatic PrCA was associated with 73% (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.20–0.38) lower risk of all-cause mortality and 72% (HR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.20–0.39) reduced risk of death from PrCA. Having BT also was associated with 57% (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31–0.59) and 54% (HR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.33–0.64) lower risk of all-cause and PrCA-specific mortality. Similar results were observed in propensity score-adjusted analysis as well as when stratified by age and extent of tumor metastasis.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that definitive local therapy improves survival in men with metastatic PrCA at diagnosis. Future work should consider comorbidities, diet, physical activity and smoking status.     

Polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in systolic heart failure: an haplotype analysis

BackgroundEndothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms have been associated with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, but few studies have evaluated the role of eNOS haplotypes on the risk and prognosis of heart failure (HF). This prospective study was designed to analyze the impact of three eNOS polymorphisms (T-786C, VNTR4a/b and Glu298Asp) and their haplotypes on the susceptibility and clinical outcomes in HF outpatients with systolic dysfunction.Methods and resultsWe conducted a case-control and a cohort study in which 316 HF patients and 360 healthy controls were recruited from a tertiary care university hospital. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and eNOS polymorphisms were detected by PCR or PCR-RFLP. Patients were predominantly men, had a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 31% and were followed-up for a median of 41 months; there were 96 deaths, including 58 HF-related deaths. Genotype distribution of the eNOS T-786C, VNTR 4a/b and Glu298Asp was similar between HF patients and controls. Haplotype frequencies differed between HF patients and controls only in African–Brazilians (p = 0.043). African–Brazilian patients that carried the haplotype -786C/4b/Asp298 had a better prognosis than patients that carried other haplotypes (log rank p value = 0.016 for all-cause mortality). In a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for clinical variables of risk, the -786C/4b/Asp298 haplotype remained as an independent genetic predictor of survival (adjusted HR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.01–0.83; p = 0.03).ConclusionsThe -786C/4b/Asp298 eNOS haplotype had a significant impact on HF susceptibility and prognosis, particularly in African–Brazilian patients.     

Valoración de niveles de testosterona mediante diferentes métodos analíticos en varones sanos

Plasma testosterone concentrations are essential for the diagnosis of several causes of hypogonadism, including late-onset hypogonadism. Defining the normal range for testosterone concentrations poses certain difficulties due to the changes that occur with age and the variability of the different analytical methods used.ObjectivesTo study normal ranges of testosterone in healthy young men and to compare the results of distinct analytical methods.Material and methodsWe recruited 20 healthy men with a mean age of 24.5 years (standard deviation (SD): 5.04) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.8% (SD: 3.3). Total testosterone (TT) was measured by immunochemiluminescence (ICLA) and free testosterone (FT) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Calculated free testosterone (FTc) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) were calculated using Vermeulen's formula. Serum lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by immunoradiometric assays (IRMA).ResultsThe mean concentrations were 20 nmol/l (SD: 4.96) for TT, 0.054 nmol/L (SD: 0.01) for FT, 0.3834 nmol/L (SD: 0.09) for FTc and 9.9 nmol/L (SD: 2.8) for BT. There was no correlation between testosterone measured by different methods other than an association between FT and FTc (r=0.662, p<0.003) and between FTc and BT (r=0.979, p<0.0001). An inverse correlation was found between BMI and TT concentrations (r: ?0.52, p<0.017).ConclusionsThe normal range for testosterone in healthy young men should be established in each laboratory based on the analytical method used.     

Association between interleukin 15 receptor, alpha (IL15RA) polymorphism and Korean patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

ObjectivesRecently, a number of evidences have been reported concerning the genetic factor involved in the development of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The purpose of this study was to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin 15 receptor, alpha (IL15RA) gene as a risk factor in Korean patients with OPLL.DesignTo investigate the genetic association, two coding SNPs (rs2296139, Thr73Thr; rs2228059, Asn182Thr) in IL15RA were genotyped in 166 OPLL patients and 230 control subjects. SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used for association analysis.ResultsIn the present study, we found the association between a missense SNP (rs2228059) and the risk of OPLL in codominant (p = 0.0028, OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.17–2.14), dominant (p = 0.0071, OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.17–2.82), and recessive models (p = 0.036, OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.04–3.09). The frequency of rs2228059 allele was significantly associated with the susceptibility of OPLL (p = 0.0043, OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.14–2.02). After Bonferroni correction, the missense SNP (rs2228059, Asn182Thr) still had significant correlations (p = 0.0056 in codominant model; p = 0.0142 in dominant model; p = 0.0086 in allele analysis). Haplotype variation in IL15RA was associated with OPLL (global haplotype test, p = 0.025).ConclusionsThese results suggest that IL15RA polymorphism may be associated with the susceptibility of OPLL in Korean population.     

Prediction of all-cause mortality with copeptin in cardio-cerebrovascular patients: A meta-analysis of prospective studies

BackgroundMeasurement of the biomarker copeptin may help identify disease severity and risk of mortality for a various diseases. This study sought to determine the relationship between copeptin and all-cause mortality of patients with cardio-cerebrovascular disease.MethodsDatabase of Medline and Web of Science were searched for studies with data involving the baseline copeptin levels and subsequent all-cause mortality outcomes. The pooled HRs of all-cause mortality were calculated and presented with 95%CIs. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted to explore the possible sources of heterogeneity.ResultsData from 14,395 participants were derived from 28 prospective studies. Higher copeptin significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality (per unit copeptin: HR = 1.020, 95%CI = 1.004–1.036; log unit copeptin: HR = 2.884, 95%CI = 1.844–4.512; categorical copeptin: HR = 3.371, 95%CI = 2.077–5.472). Subgroup analysis indicated that the risk of all-cause death was higher in cerebrovascular patients (per unit copeptin: HR = 2.537, 95%CI = 0.956–6.731; log unit copeptin: HR = 3.419, 95%CI = 2.391–4.888) than cardiovascular patients (per unit copeptin: HR = 1.011, 95%CI = 1.002–1.020; log unit copeptin: HR = 2.009, 95%CI = 1.119–3.608).ConclusionCopeptin is associated with all-cause mortality of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Our study suggests that copeptin seems to be a promising novel biomarker for prediction of mortality in cardio-cerebrovascular patients, especially for cerebrovascular patients.     

Statins inhibit expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 in rat and human liver and reduce tumour development

BackgroundStatins have been reported to have anti-carcinogenic properties in addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects, but the mechanism is unknown. Thioredoxin reductases (TrxR) are selenium-containing enzymes of great importance for carcinogenesis and their levels are increased in neoplastic cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate if statin treatment is associated with alterations in the hepatic expression of TrxR.MethodsHuman liver biopsies from a study where patients had been randomised to statin treatment or placebo were analysed. In addition we used liver tissue from a human liver bank where statin treated subjects were compared with non-treated. We also used tissue from a rat liver cancer model in which we have previously shown anti-carcinogenic effects of statins. Real-time PCR and activity assay were used to determine TrxR-levels and activity in tissue extracts.ResultsIn humans 80 mg atorvastatin treatment for 4 weeks (n = 6) was associated with 85% lower levels of TrxR1 and TrxR2 compared to placebo-treated patients (n = 8) (p = 0.03). In liver biopsies from a human donor liver bank 3 statin treated subjects had 90% lower expression of TrxR1 than 15 non-treated subjects (p = 0.04). Statin treatment was associated with 45% lower expression and activity of TrxR1 in a rat model for liver cancer (p = 0.03). There was a clear correlation between inhibition of carcinogenesis and decreased TrxR1-levels (p = 0.003).ConclusionStatin treatment decreases the hepatic expression of TrxR1 in humans and rats. Suppression of TrxR1 expression could explain possible anti-carcinogenic effects of statins. In addition, decreased levels of TrxR1 during statin treatment may shed light on the mechanism of other side-effects of statins.     

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand as an independent predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patents

BackgroundTumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) was originally isolated as an inducer of apoptosis in transformed cells. In addition to tumor surveillance, recent findings suggest that TRAIL and its receptor system have a protective role against infection and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients undergoing hemodialysis have a high mortality rate with a unique risk factor profile. Considering that the leading causes of death in these patients are infection and CVD, TRAIL represents an attractive candidate for predicting mortality in this population. We therefore investigated whether TRAIL predicted mortality in hemodialysis patients.MethodsThe study was a retrospective observational cohort design of 45-month duration in 149 male hemodialysis patients. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their baseline TRAIL level measured by ELISA (low or high TRAIL group). The main outcome was all-cause mortality.ResultsDuring the follow-up period, 33 patients died, mostly because of CVD (n = 11) or infection (n = 9). Crude survival analyses showed that a low TRAIL level was a powerful predictor of all-cause (p = 0.011) and infectious mortality (p = 0.048). The predictive power of TRAIL remained after adjustment for various confounding factors.ConclusionsThe serum TRAIL level may be a novel biomarker for predicting prognosis in hemodialysis patients.     

Body mass index and screening for colorectal cancer: gender and attitudinal factors

Background: Overweight/obese women and men are at increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. Research examining body mass index (BMI) and CRC screening has had mixed results. A clearer understanding of the extent to which high-BMI subgroups are screened for CRC is needed to inform planning for CRC screening promotions targeting BMI. Methods: Data were obtained from a random, population-based sample of women and men at average-risk for CRC (aged 50–75 years) during 2004 (n = 1098). Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate whether BMI category was significantly associated with the probability of reporting recent CRC screening and with the probability of agreeing with statements denoting attitudes/perceptions about CRC and screening. Attitudes/perceptions about CRC and screening were evaluated as potential mediators and moderators of the association between BMI category and CRC screening. Results: After controlling for characteristics associated with CRC screening, overweight and obese women were each 40% less likely to have CRC screening than women with normal-BMI (OR = 0.6, 95% CI:0.4–0.9 and OR = 0.6, 95% CI:0.3–0.9). BMI category was unrelated to screening among men. Obese women (but not men) were less aware than normal-BMI women that obesity increased risk for CRC (OR = 0.5, 95% CI:0.3–0.9) and less worried about CRC (OR = 0.5, 95% CI:0.3–0.8). However, findings suggest that attitudes/perceptions about CRC and screening did not mediate or moderate the association between BMI category and CRC screening. Conclusion: Overweight/obese women are at increased risk for CRC because of their greater BMI and their propensity not to screen for CRC. Study findings suggest that potentially modifiable perceptions, e.g., lack of awareness of risk for CRC and less worry about CRC, in this subgroup may not explain the relationship between BMI category and reduced screening.     

Effect of Metformin Therapy on Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of metformin on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitamin B₁₂ levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of medical records of patients treated between 2003 and 2009 at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, in both ambulatory primary care and endocrinology clinics. The study cohort consisted of 706 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were 20 to 93 years old (mean age, 63 ± 13) and had a mean body mass index of 33.1 kg/m². Of these patients, 42% were treated with metformin, and 34% had been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia.ResultsPatients taking metformin had statistically significant lower vitamin B₁₂ levels than those not receiving metformin (P < .0001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = − 220 to − 84 pg/mL). No statistically significant difference was found between users and nonusers of metformin in regard to 25(OH)D levels when adjusted for variables (P = .297; 95% CI for mean difference = − 0.7 to 2.2 ng/mL). Metformin use did not adversely affect successful treatment of vitamin D deficiency in this patient population as a whole, nor did it affect the subgroup with osteoporosis (P = .956). The patients with osteoporosis had statistically significant lower baseline 25(OH)D levels in comparison with those without osteoporosis, when adjustments were made for all variables (P = .003; 95% CI = 0.7 to 3.5 ng/ mL).ConclusionThis study confirms the higher prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes than in those not treated with metformin. This study also suggests that vitamin D deficiency is not a clinical concern among metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes and that metformin does not negatively affect treatment of vitamin D deficiency in these patients. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:179–184)     

Evaluation of a method to measure long term cortisol levels

IntroductionElevated levels of cortisol are known to induce various symptoms and diseases, e.g. abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Measuring serum, saliva and urine cortisol is limited to one time point. Measurement of cortisol in scalp hair is a recently developed method to measure long term cortisol levels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hair cortisol is a feasible parameter to measure cortisol exposure.ExperimentalWe collected hair samples of 195 healthy individuals, 9 hypercortisolemic and one hypocortisolemic patient and measured hair cortisol levels. Cortisol was extracted from scalp hair using methanol and cortisol levels were measured using a salivary ELISA kit. Measurement of waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure was performed in 46 healthy subjects.ResultsWe found a positive correlation between hair cortisol and both waist circumference (r = 0.392, p = 0.007) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r = 0.425, p = 0.003). No correlations were found between hair cortisol levels and BMI, blood pressure or age. There was no decline in cortisol levels in six consecutive hair segments. Hair cortisol levels were elevated in patients with known hypercortisolism (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsHair cortisol was positively correlated with WHR, suggesting that hair cortisol reflects cortisol exposure at tissue level, which was also supported by elevated hair cortisol levels in hypercortisolemic patients and concordance between hair cortisol levels and clinical disease course. Cortisol levels in hair are slightly influenced by hair treatment but not by natural hair colour, use of hair products, gender or age.     

Plasma renin and aldosterone levels in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

ObjetiveTo assess plasma renin and aldosterone levels in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsObese women (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2; group A, n = 34) and non-obese women (BMI < 25 kg/m2; group B, n = 13) with PCOS were selected. The control group (group C, n =47) consisted of age-matched women with regular menses and normal ultrasonographic ovaries. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, androstenedione, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, serum glucose, insulin, renin, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone levels were measured.ResultsObese and non-obese women with PCOS had higher luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, androstenedione, testosterone, and insulin levels as compared to women in the control group (p < 0.05). Women with PCOS had significantly higher renin levels (group A: 50.2 ± 4.9 picoU/mL, group B: 39.9 ± 2.7 picoU/mL, and group C: 24.6 ± 2.6 picoU/mL), plasma renin activity (group A: 3.7 ± 0.3 ng/mL/h, group B: 3.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL/h, and group C: 2.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL/h), and aldosterone levels (group A: 31.2 ± 3.3 ng/dL, group B: 29.3 ± 2.9 ng/dL, and group C: 22.2 ± 3.9 ng/dL) as compared with controls.ConclusionSignificant differences exist in plasma renin and aldosterone levels between obese and non-obese women as compared with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal controls.     

Higher serum bone alkaline phosphatase as a predictor of mortality in male hemodialysis patients

AimsHigher serum alkaline phosphatase predicts lower mortality in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients without liver dysfunction because it reflects high bone turnover. The purpose of our study was to compare the significance of serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) with that of other bone markers in prediction of all-cause mortality(ACM) in male hemodialysis patients.Main methodsThe study was performed for 5 years. Serum BAP, intact osteocalcin (iOC), ß-CrossLaps (CTX), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were measured in 196 male hemodialysis patients without radiographic fracture. Their day-to-day variation during 5 consecutive days and diurnal variation were determined in 13 healthy males.Key findingsThe patients were divided into higher and lower groups based on serum levels of bone markers(mean ± SD: iPTH 218.6 ± 214.5 pg/ml, BAP 23.6 ± 12.2U/L, iOC 42.8 ± 45.2 ng/ml, CTX 1.71 ± 1.23 nmol/L BCE). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the higher BAP group had significantly higher ACM than the lower BAP group (P = 0.013), whereas mortality did not differ between the higher and lower groups in other markers. Cox regression hazard analysis identified higher log BAP as a significant independent predictor [hazard ratio(HR) 8.32(95%CI:1.18–58.98)] for ACM after adjustment for various factors including pre-existing cardiovasucular disease, presence of DM. The significant association of mortality with serum BAP alone, in contrast with other markers including CTX [HR0.64 (95%CI:0.16–2.47)], iOC [HR0.97(95%CI:0.36–2.64)], iPTH [HR0.84(95%CI:0.44–1.60)],it may be due to the narrower day-to-day variation and the absence of diurnal variation in serum BAP compared to other markers.SignificanceHigher serum BAP may be a predictor of ACM in male hemodialysis patients.     

Low serum zinc levels in patients undergoing coronary angiography correlate with immune activation and inflammation

IntroductionLow serum zinc concentrations are associated with adverse outcomes. To explain this phenomenon we aimed to investigate whether low zinc levels are related to immune activation, renal function and coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsSerum concentrations of zinc and the immune activation markers neopterin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 2048 patients derived from the LUdwigshafen RIsk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study, a cohort study among patients referred for coronary angiography.ResultsZinc concentrations did not differ between patients with CAD (mean ± SD: 13.3 ± 2.4 μmol/L) and controls (13.3 ± 2.2 μmol/L; Welch's t test: p = n.s.) but CAD patients had higher neopterin (8.6 ± 7.4 nmol/L) and CRP (9.7 ± 19.6 mg/L) concentrations compared to controls (neopterin: 7.5 ± 4.8 nmol/L, p = 0.0005; CRP: 5.5 ± 10.0 mg/L, p < 0.0001). There was an inverse correlation between serum zinc concentrations and neopterin (Spearman's rank correlation: r_s = ?0.222) and CRP (r_s = ?0.166; both p < 0.0001) concentrations.ConclusionsOur results indicate increased inflammatory processes in patients with low zinc levels. Further studies should clarify whether inflammation related processes such as renal wasting contribute to zinc deficiency and underlie the adverse health consequences of low serum zinc levels.     

The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and its ligands in patients with myasthenia gravis

ObjectiveMyasthenia gravis (MG) is a T- and B-cell mediated autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction. The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) plays a role in the amplification of chronic inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. We sought to investigate the role of RAGE and its ligands in the pathophysiology of MG.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we enrolled 42 patients with MG and 36 volunteers. We employed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to determine the concentration of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in serum of patients and volunteers. In a subpopulation of patients we measured the serum levels of endogenous secretory (es) RAGE and various RAGE ligands, such as S100B, S100A8 and advanced glycation endproducts (AGE-CML). Reported are means and standard error mean.ResultsWe found significantly reduced levels of the soluble receptors sRAGE and esRAGE in patients with MG compared to volunteers without MG (sRAGE [pg/ml] 927.2 ± 80.8 vs. 1400.1 ± 92.4; p < 0.001; esRAGE [pg/ml] 273.5 ± 24.6 vs. 449.0 ± 22.4; p < 0.001). Further categorization of patients with MG according to the distribution of muscle involvement revealed the following sRAGE concentrations: generalized MG 999.4 ± 90.8 and ocular MG 696.1 ± 161.8 (vs. control; One-way ANOVA: p < 0.001; Post hoc analysis: generalized vs. ocular MG: p = 0.264, generalized MG vs. control: p = 0.008, ocular MG vs. control: p = 0.001). In patients with detectable antibodies specific for acetylcholine receptors (Anti-AChR positive) the sRAGE concentration was 970.0 ± 90.2 compared to those without (seronegative) 670.6 ± 133.1 (vs. control; One-way ANOVA: p < 0.001; Post hoc analysis: Pos vs. Neg.: p = 0.418, Pos vs. control: p = 0.003, Neg. vs. control: p = 0.008). We next investigated the role of RAGE ligands in MG. The concentrations of RAGE ligands in patients with MG and controls were as follows: (HMGB1 [ng/ml] 1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 2.1 ± 0.2; p = 0.058; S100B [pg/ml] 22.5 ± 22.5 vs. 14.4 ± 9.2; p = 0.698; S100A8 [pg/ml] 107.0 ± 59.3 vs. 242.5 ± 103.6; p = 0.347; and AGE-CML [ng/ml] 1100.8 ± 175.1 vs. 1399.8 ± 132.8; p = 0.179).ConclusionsOur data suggest a role for the RAGE pathway in the pathophysiology of MG. Further studies are warranted to elucidate more about this immunological axis in patients with MG.     

Influence of related donor age on outcomes after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Background aimsThe rising use of allogeneic transplantation in older recipients necessitates considering older related donors. The effect of related donor age for peripheral blood stem cell allografts (PBSC) on graft maintenance and outcomes, independent of CD34⁺cell dose, has not been well-characterized.MethodsHLA-related donors (98% siblings) underwent a uniform filgrastim-based mobilization regimen aiming to collect and infuse 5 × 10⁶ CD34⁺ cells/recipient kg. Donor and recipient age were modeled in multiple ways to account for the correlation, and outcomes reported by decade of donor age.ResultsThe median donor and recipient ages were 52 years and 54 years, respectively. The mean CD34⁺ cell dose infused was 5.6 × 10⁶ CD34⁺/kg and 75% of patients received a narrow range between 4.4 and 6.6 × 10⁶ CD34⁺ cells/kg. Neither better PBSC mobilization nor higher CD34⁺ content of allografts was significantly associated with engraftment or transplant outcomes. After adjusting for recipient age and other prognostic factors, older donor age by decade conferred a lower risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM) [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45–0.91, P = 0.013] and borderline improvement in overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.58–0.99, P = 0.045) without altering progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.66–1.07, P = 0.18).ConclusionsOlder donor age does not worsen outcome after matched related donor PBSC transplantation in patients receiving a narrow range CD34⁺ cells. The relatively small sample size mandates that the finding of similar to improved outcomes for older related donor age must be confirmed in larger studies.     

A microsphere-based duplex competitive immunoassay for the simultaneous measurements of aldosterone and testosterone in small sample volumes: Validation in human and mouse plasma

BackgroundThe small blood volumes available in rodent studies often limit adequate quantification of all hormones of interest. We report here the development of two new assays combining an extraction step with multiplex immunoassay (MIA) technology for the simultaneous determination of aldosterone and testosterone in 50 μl sample volume.MethodsFollowing solvent extraction, aldosterone and testosterone competitive immunoassays are performed incorporating biotinylated tracers and antibody-coated beads each having a unique fluorescence. Quantification is via addition of streptavidin–R–phycoerythrin (SA–PE). The assays were validated and compared to established methods. Baseline hormone levels in mice from four different strains, and changes after ACTH and HCG stimulation in CD-1 mice are shown.ResultsThe assays are sensitive (aldosterone 15 pg/ml, testosterone 12 pg/ml), reproducible (intra-/inter-assay imprecision aldosterone 5.1–15.6%/9.9–15.8% and testosterone 9.7–10.9%/7.7–11.4%) and correlate significantly to established assays (r = 0.94–0.95). Baseline aldosterone levels varied between strains, but not between the genders. Testosterone was significantly higher in male of all strains except in C57BL/6× NMRI mice. After ACTH injection, aldosterone (median, interquartile range) rose from 354 (261–396) pg/ml to 2008 (875–2467) in male and from 260 (210–576) to 1120 (734–1528) in female CD-1 mice. HCG injection in the same strain increased testosterone in male mice only (3.5 (0.4–8.3) ng/ml to 31.8 (30.4–33.9) ng/ml, P < 0.01).ConclusionsWe describe a MIA for the simultaneous measurement of aldosterone and testosterone in small volumes after extraction. In addition to presenting a new tool for steroid research in rodent models, our data show strain-dependent differences in steroid hormone metabolism in rodents.     

The predictive value of plasma catestatin for all-cause and cardiac deaths in chronic heart failure patients

Catestatin (CST) is a proteolytic fragment of Chromogranin A with a broad spectrum of activities in the cardiovascular system. The level of plasma CST increases in chronic heart failure patients, but its potential relationship to patient prognosis is unknown. In this study, we measured plasma CST levels in 202 chronic heart failure patients and followed them for a median of 52.5 months. The plasma CST level was higher in patients with all-cause death and cardiac death than in survivors. According to univariate COX regression, higher plasma CST levels predicted increased risk of all-cause and cardiac death. After adjustment for other confounding factors, plasma CST was an independent risk factor for both outcomes, and the hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.84 (95% CI: 1.02–3.32, p = 0.042) and 2.41 (95% CI: 1.26–4.62, p = 0.008) for all-cause death and cardiac death, respectively. The new risk-predictive model considering CST was superior to the previous model for both outcomes by ANOVA and likelihood ratio tests (p = 0.040 and p = 0.008, respectively). Concurrent increases in plasma BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) and CST levels predicted the highest risk for both all-cause and cardiac deaths [HR = 5.18 (95% CI: 1.94–13.87, p = 0.001) and HR = 9.19 (95% CI: 2.75–30.78, p < 0.001), respectively]. Large-scale studies are needed to further assess the value of plasma CST in predicting heart failure prognosis.     

Interactions between IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to intestinal Behcet's disease in Korean population

AimsAlthough polymorphisms in IL23R have recently been proposed to predispose to Behcet's disease (BD), associations between IL23R polymorphisms and intestinal BD have yet to be elucidated. We therefore performed a study to evaluate whether IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to intestinal BD in the Korean population.Main methodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 genes were analyzed using DNA sequencing, denaturing high performance liquid chromatography, and TaqMan genotyping assays.Key findingsIndividual polymorphism analysis revealed that the TT genotype of IL17A rs8193036 (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.12–3.92), p = 0.021), and GG + GT genotype of IL23R rs1884444 (OR 1.92, 95% CI (1.03–3.57), p = 0.034) was associated with the development of intestinal BD. When these two genotypes were combined, the risk of BD increased compared to that of patients with no-risk or one-risk genotype (OR 2.21, 95% CI (1.13–4.34), p = 0.021). Furthermore, statistically significant gene–gene interactions were observed between G149R in IL23R vs. rs11685878 in STAT4, rs2275913 in IL17A vs. rs7574865 in STAT4, and rs11889341 in STAT4 vs. rs2275913 in IL17A. The haplotypes of IL17A had a positive association with intestinal BD risks, whereas those of IL23R were protective for disease development.SignificanceOur results indicate that the interaction of specific IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 SNPs modulate susceptibility to intestinal BD in the Korean population, suggesting that the IL-17/23 axis plays a significant role in disease pathogenesis.     

Beta-blocker usage and prostate cancer survival: A nested case–control study in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink cohort

BackgroundRecent laboratory and epidemiological evidence suggests that beta-blockers could inhibit prostate cancer progression. Methods: We investigated the effect of beta-blockers on prostate cancer-specific mortality in a cohort of prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2006 were identified from the UK Clinical Practice Research Database and confirmed by cancer registries. Patients were followed up to 2011 with deaths identified by the Office of National Statistics. A nested case–control analysis compared patients dying from prostate cancer (cases) with up to three controls alive at the time of their death, matched by age and year of diagnosis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Results: Post-diagnostic beta-blocker use was identified in 25% of 1184 prostate cancer-specific deaths and 26% of 3531 matched controls. There was little evidence (P = 0.40) of a reduction in the risk of cancer-specific death in beta-blocker users compared with non-users (OR = 0.94 95% CI 0.81, 1.09). Similar results were observed after adjustments for confounders, in analyses by beta-blocker frequency, duration, type and for all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Beta-blocker usage after diagnosis was not associated with cancer-specific or all-cause mortality in prostate cancer patients in this large UK study.