“
“Bacteriophages attacking Leuconostoc species may significantly influence the quality of the final product. There is however limited knowledge of this group of phages in the literature. We have determined the complete genome sequences of nine Leuconostoc bacteriophages virulent

to either Leuconostoc mesenteroides or Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides strains. The phages have dsDNA genomes with sizes ranging from 25.7 to 28.4 kb. Comparative genomics analysis helped classify the 9 phages into two classes, which correlates with the host species. High percentage of similarity within the classes on both nucleotide and protein levels was observed. Genome comparison also revealed very high conservation of the overall genomic organization between the classes. The genes were organized in functional modules PCI-32765 in vivo responsible for replication, packaging, head and tail morphogenesis, cell lysis and regulation and modification, respectively. No lysogeny modules were detected. To our knowledge this report provides the first comparative genomic work done on Leuconostoc dairy phages. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Serial changes

in plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations are unknown in dogs with myocardial injury. The time-course secretory responses between NT-proBNP and ANP or cardiac troponin-T (cTnT) related to myocardial infarction (MI) were investigated in this study. Six dogs were anaesthetised and the left anterior descending artery was ligated.\n\nA S63845 concentration transient decrease in cardiac function was detected 1 h after MI but returned to baseline levels within 7 days and remained so for 6 months. Echocardiographic

examination revealed focal ventricular dyskinesis throughout the study. Six months following MI, the left atrium to aorta ratio increased significantly although the relative wall thickness decreased significantly from baseline. Significantly elevated plasma NT-proBNP and cTnT concentrations were detected 1 day after MI and these gradually decreased over 28 days to baseline levels without left ventricular pressure elevation. Plasma ANP was elevated significantly 6 months after MI. The NT-proBNP assay is a helpful diagnostic indicator for identifying asymptomatic acute and subacute myocardial https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Cyclopamine.html injury whereas plasma ANP concentration mainly reflects atrial dilation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“For reproducible measurements of right ventricular (RV) volume and function, it may be important to use a consistent method to identify end systole (ES). We determined whether a significant difference exists between RV volumes measured using varying criteria from previous studies to define the timing of ES. In three normal subjects and nine patients with congenital heart disease, we measured RV volume from 3D reconstructions generated from 12 short and long axis magnetic resonance images (MRI).

The highest observed CP risk was in infants with both growth restriction and a major birth defect (8.9% of total CP in this gestational age group,

0.4% of controls: odds ratio, 30.9; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-136). CONCLUSION: The risk of CP was increased GS-9973 manufacturer in antenatally growth-restricted singletons born at or near term to normotensive mothers. In growth-restricted singletons, a major birth defect was the dominant predictor, associated with a 30-fold increase in odds of CP. Identification of birth defects in the growth-restricted fetus or neonate may provide significant prognostic information.”
“Objectives Several mutations of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene cause malfunction of the protein, resulting in steroid resistance. In diseases other than asthma, the GR variants I559N, D641V, and V729I have been linked to steroid resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the link of these GR variants in steroid-resistant (SR) asthma in the Chinese Han population. Methods GR polymorphisms were determined in 64 SR asthma patients, 217 steroid-sensitive (SS) asthma patients and 221 healthy control (CTR) individuals. The analysis of the GR variants was performed using PCR-sequence specific primers according to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory database (NC_000005.8). In addition, ligand binding and serum cortisol levels were determined. Results Compared with SS asthma patients and

CTRs, a significant lower frequency of the GR D641V variant AA genotype (P=0.003, 0.014, respectively) and the A allele (P=0.001, 0.009, respectively) was found in SR asthma patients. Furthermore, Screening Library in vitro the equilibrium dissociation constant (K-d) of GR ligand binding in SR asthma patients with the GR D641V variant AA genotype was significantly lower compared with the AT or the TT genotype carriers (P=0.006, 0.016, respectively). There was no significant difference between the I559N and V729I GR variants on comparing SR asthma patients with https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pifithrin-alpha.html SS asthma patients or CTRs. Conclusion This study suggests that the D641V variant

of the GR is probably associated with SR asthma in the Chinese Han population. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 25: 289-295 Copyright (C) 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Aims/hypothesis Mutations in the GCK and HNF1A genes are the most common cause of the monogenic forms of diabetes known as ‘maturity-onset diabetes of the young’. GCK encodes the glucokinase enzyme, which acts as the pancreatic glucose sensor, and mutations result in stable, mild fasting hyperglycaemia. A progressive insulin secretory defect is seen in patients with mutations in the HNF1A and HNF4A genes encoding the transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha and -4 alpha. A molecular genetic diagnosis often changes management, since patients with GCK mutations rarely require pharmacological treatment and HNF1A/4A mutation carriers are sensitive to sulfonylureas.

(C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“In this study, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were used for increasing antifouling characteristic of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane. Two different methods were applied for immobilization of TiO2 on Selleck KU57788 PVDF membrane surface and compared their ability in flux recovery ratio of modified

membranes. One method was self-assembling of TiO2 on surface of PAA grafted membrane and another was initially functionalization of TiO2 by acrylic acid monomers and next in situ grafting polymerization of this blend solution, which called “grafting from” technique. SEM images show that TiO2 nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly and completely in “grafting from” method rather than self-assembling procedure. In addition, FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of PAA and TiO2 nanoparticles on the membrane surface. Antifouling properties were tested by using whey solution. Better resistance to fouling was observed for membranes prepared from functionalized TiO2 due to high grafting yield and low agglomeration of TiO2 in this method. Repeating the fouling process indicates that stability of nanoparticles on membrane surface during operation and cleaning process is high because of covalent attachment of TiO2 to PAA network. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Three

gene pools representative of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. vinifera (=subsp. sativa Beger) growing in the Maghreb regions (North Africa) from Tunisia (44), Algeria (31) and Morocco (18) and 16 wild grape accessions (Vitis selleckchem vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Beger) from Tunisia were analysed for genetic diversity and differentiation at twenty nuclear microsatellites markers distributed throughout the 19 grape chromosomes. 203 alleles with a mean number of 10.15 alleles per locus were observed in a total of 109 accessions. Genetic diversities were high in all populations with values ranging from 0.6775 (Moroccan cultivars) to 0.7254 (Tunisian cultivars). F (st) pairwise values between cultivated grapevine populations were low but found to be significantly Epigenetics inhibitor different from zero.

High F (st) pairwise values were shown between wild and cultivated compartments. Two parent offspring relationships, two synonyms and two clones of the same cultivar were detected. The rate of gene flow caused by vegetative dissemination of cultivated grapevine plants was not sufficient to genetically homogenise the pools of cultivars grown in different regions. The Neighbour Joining cluster analysis showed a clear separation according to geographical origins for the cultivated grapevines gene pools and revealed a high dissimilarity between cultivated and wild grapevine. However, three cultivars (Plant d’Ouchtata 1, Plant de Tabarka 3 and Plant d’Ouchtata 3) are very close to wild accessions and may result from a hybridisation between cultivated and wild accessions.

Fractal dimension (FD) and lacunar dimension (LD) were measured in each case using the box counting method. FD and LD were compared in the three groups.\n\nRESULTS: Mean

FD was highest in the normal chorionic villi (1.7520), followed by partial mole (1.6696) and complete mole (1.6438). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference of FD in normal villi vs. complete (p < 0.001) check details and partial mole (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference of FD between complete and the partial mole. The mean LD of normal, partial, and complete molar villi was 0.5067 +/- 0.6944, 0.6063 +/- 0.09670, and 0.5551 +/- 0.11277, respectively. The mean LD was significantly increased between partial mole and normal villi (ANOVA, p < 0.006). However, there was no significant difference of LD between the partial and complete mole and between complete mole and normal villi.\n\nCONCLUSION: The measurement of FD and LD along with

the histopathology of the lesions may be helpful to distinguish molar and nonmolar villi. (Anal Quant Cytol Histol 2011;33:82-84)”
“Background/Aim: The role of methylation reactions in cancer was examined using the methylating agents, sulfobetaine [dimethylsulfonioproponate (DMSP)], and glycine betaine (GB), in murine crucial Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) for up to 10 days. Results: DMSP administration in EAC-bearing mice mitigated EAC, while GB administration clearly promoted EAC. However, the immune cell profiles did not differ largely between animals https://www.selleckchem.com/products/jph203.html receiving DMSP and those receiving GB. Moreover; DMSP and GB had merely any effects on proliferation of EAC cells in vitro. Injection of DMSP into normal mice interestingly led to macrophage accumulation in the peritoneal cavity in a dose-dependent manner at early rearing. Conclusion: These results indicate that GB promoted EAC by the methylation of cancer promotor gene, whereas DMSP ameliorated EAC by the accumulation of activated macrophages with a rapid

response and long life span during cancer progression.”
“Functional human hepatocytes xeno-engrafted in mouse liver can be used as a model system to study hepatitis virus infection and vaccine efficacy. Significant liver Selleckchem Bafilomycin A1 xeno-repopulation has been reported in two kinds of genetically modified mice that have both immune deficiency and liver injury-induced donor hepatocyte selection: the uPA/SCID mice and Fab(-/-) Rag2(-/-) II2rg(-/-) mice. The lack of hardy breeding and the overly elaborated technique in these two models may hinder the potential future application of these models to hepatitis virus infection and vaccination studies. Improving the transplantation protocol for liver xeno-repopulation from human hepatocytes will increase the model efficiency and application.

However, the number of persons using the VNS has increased only little in comparison to the number of individuals who use home social services, which are also covered by the Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) system. This cross-sectional study investigated the predictors of the VNS used under the LTCI system in Japan.\n\nMethods: We used 1,580 claim data from all the users of community-based services and 1,574 interview survey data collected in 2001 from the six municipal bodies in Japan. After we merged the two datasets, 1,276

users of community-based services under the LTCI were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression models stratified by care needs levels were used for analysis.\n\nResults: Only 8.3% of the Hydroxylase inhibitor study subjects were VNS users. Even among study

participants within the higher care-needs level, only 22.0% were VNS users. In the lower care level group, people with a higher care level (OR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.50-8.93), those whose condition needed long term care due to respiratory or heart disease (OR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.88-89.20), those whose period of needing care was two years or more (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.14-3.48), those whose service plan was created by a medical care management agency (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.31-4.33), those living with family (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.00-3.42), and those who use home-help services (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.17-3.83) were more likely to use the VNS. In the higher care level group, individuals with higher care level (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.56-8.66), those Angiogenesis inhibitor with higher income (OR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.01-14.25), and those who had regular hospital visits before entering the LTCI (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.11-5.38) were more likely to use the VNS.\n\nConclusions: Our results suggested that VNS use is limited due to management

by non-medical care management agencies, due to no caregivers being around or a low income household. The findings of this study provide valuable insight for LTCI policy makers: the present provision of VNS should be reconsidered.”
“This study was designed to characterize changes in the expression of mitofusin-1 (Mfn1) and fission-1 (Fis1), Selleckchem Autophagy inhibitor as well as in mitochondrial morphology in the kidney of rats subjected to chronic fluorosis and to elucidate whether any mitochondrial injury observed is associated with increased oxidative stress. Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into 3 groups of 20 each, i.e., the untreated control group (natural drinking water containing smaller than 0.5 mg fluoride/L), the low-fluoride group (drinking water supplemented with 10 mg fluoride/L, prepared with NaF) and the high-fluoride group (50 mg fluoride/L), and treated for 6 months. Thereafter, renal expression of Mfn1 and Fis1 at both the protein and mRNA levels was determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively.

Samples were collected after slaughter, using allantocentesis and amniocentesis. Sixty samples of fetal fluids were analyzed. Alkaline phosphatase (AP), glucose, total protein (TP), urea, creatinine, Ca, chloride (Cl), Na, and K concentrations were measured using commercially available kits. The AP concentration in amniotic fluid was higher than that in,allantoic fluid during the three gestational phases (P smaller than .05). There were no differences between glucose mean values of allantoic and those of amniotic fluids (P smaller than .05). However, glucose values

were higher in the allantoic fluid in the last trimester of pregnancy. TP was higher in the amniotic fluid than in allantoic fluid (P smaller than .05). Urea values varied among the phases; however, there were no differences between the amniotic and allantoic BI-D1870 fluid values (P bigger than .05). Creatinine values were higher in allantoic fluid

(P smaller than .05). Na and Cl concentrations were higher in amniotic fluid (P smaller than .05). However, Ca and K concentrations were higher in the allantoic fluid. (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The number of children in need of mechanical circulatory support has increased substantially over the last two decades, due to the technological progress made in surgery and intensive care, leading to improved survival of patients with congenital heart

disease. In addition, FRAX597 primary myocardial dysfunction related to myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy may cause end-stage cardiac failure in children or Bucladesine Others inhibitor infants, although not as frequently as in adults. The need for mechanical circulatory support may be either temporary until spontaneous myocardial recovery, as in postcardiotomy cardiac failure, or prolonged until heart transplantation in the absence of recovery. Two types of mechanical circulatory devices are suitable for the paediatric population: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for short-term support; and ventricular assist devices for long-term support as a bridge to transplantation. The aim of this review is to describe the Specific issues related to paediatric mechanical circulatory support and the different types of devices available, to report on their rapidly growing use worldwide and on the outcomes for each indication and type of device, and to provide a perspective on the future developments and remaining challenges in this field. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“Soft biological tissues adapt their collagen network to the mechanical environment. Collagen remodeling and cell traction are both involved in this process. The present study presents a collagen adaptation model which includes strain-dependent collagen degradation and contact-guided cell traction.

Traditionally, the porous support layer is synthesized by phase inversion and subsequently impregnated with an aqueous amine solution before contacting it with an organic acyl chloride solution. In this simplified method, the phase inversion step and the impregnation with the amine monomer are carried out simultaneously by adding the amine to the coagulation bath before immersing the cast polymer film in it This way, a two step process was successfully simplified into one step, combining both phase inversion and monomer impregnation of the support. Variation of synthesis parameters showed that a good membrane performance was achieved by adding 2 wt% rn-phenylenediamine

(as a monomer), triethylamine and sodium doclecyl sulfate (as a basefacylation catalyst and surfactant, Fer-1 inhibitor respectively) to the coagulation bath. These NSC23766 synthesis conditions accord with the ones used in the traditional method. However, the polysulfone concentration, used for the synthesis of the support layer, could be lowered in the simplified method, without compromising in membrane performance. This method could lead to a more efficient, time and material saving synthesis of TFC membranes, which is of potential interest from a commercial and environmental point of view. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved”
“Alkaptonuria, with its sequel, ochronosis, is a rare disease, with an incidence of 1:125,000 to 1:1 million worldwide.

Reported cases of ochronotic arthropathy and other orthopedic manifestations are mostly limited to a single family tree, and few cases have been reported. Fludarabine cost This study highlights 9 previously unreported patients with sporadic presentation

and varied orthopedic manifestations of alkaptonuria. Patient age ranged from 34 to 50 years. One patient who had severe arthropathy of the right hip joint along with subcutaneous nodules over both knees and Achilles tendons underwent total hip replacement. Another patient had intramedullary calcification of the femur. An additional patient had associated caries of the spine at L3, L4, and L5, with resolution of symptoms after antitubercular chemotherapy. Another patient had associated features of hyperthyroidism, which was an incidental finding. A further patient had nonunion fracture of the neck of the femur and underwent total hip replacement. The remaining 4 patients had typical features of low backache and arthritis of the large joints. The parents were nonconsanguineous, and only 2 patients had affected siblings. The remaining 7 patients had sporadic nonfamilial presentation. Diagnosis was established by typical clinical and radiologic findings and biochemical analysis. At 2 years of follow-up, both patients who underwent total hip replacement were normal, with no radiologic signs of loosening or lysis. Clinicians need a high index of suspicion and awareness to make the diagnosis of ochronosis.

Our study suggests that other direct survey techniques have underestimated the use of these drugs. Drug prevention programs need to be established at universities to address this issue.”
“Poly(n-hexylisocyanate) (PHIC-NH) as a rod-like polymer having a -NH group at one end of the polymer chain was found to instantly (less than a few seconds) be completely decomposed by CH(3)O(-)Na(+) in tetrahydrofuran/CH(3)OH under a mild experimental condition ([CH(3)O(-)Na(+)] < 1 mol L(-1) at room temperature). The mechanism of the decomposition for the PHIC-NH consists of two steps: the first is abstraction of the proton for PHIC-NH by Na(+) with a slow

reaction rate, and the second is the consequent depolymerization of PHIC-N(+) based on the

equilibrium polymerization with a rapid depolymerization Entinostat purchase rate. The decomposition rate constants (k(d)) depend on M(w) of PHIC-NH, namely k(d) similar to M(w) (-1.0). The decomposition of the PHIC-NR having an end-capped -NR group was completely depressed. Using an “all or nothing” mechanism for the decomposition, the (PHIC)(3.43) comb-shaped polymer and polystyrene (PSt)-graft-(PHIC-NH)(4.28) graft copolymer were, respectively, decomposed to produce (PHIC-NH)(3.43-1.03) and PSt-graft-(PHIC-NH)(4.28-0) in a series with different numbers of PHIC-NH combs and PHIC-NH grafts by regulating the amount of CH(3)O(-)Na(+) and the decomposition time. Molecular structure of (PHIC-NH)(3.43-1.03) and PSt-graft-(PHIC-NH)(4.28-0) was discussed ARS-1620 from a viewpoint of PSt-reduced chain dimension

per molar mass. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 3939-3950, 2011″
“The occurrence of nitrification in the oceanic water column has implications extending from local effects on the structure and activity of phytoplankton communities to broader impacts on the speciation of nitrogenous nutrients and production of nitrous oxide. The ammonia-oxidizing archaea, responsible for carrying out the majority of nitrification in the sea, are present Bcl-2 inhibitor in the marine water column as two taxonomically distinct groups. Water column group A (WCA) organisms are detected at all depths, whereas Water column group B (WCB) are present primarily below the photic zone. An open question in marine biogeochemistry is whether the taxonomic definition of WCA and WCB organisms and their observed distributions correspond to distinct ecological and biogeochemical niches. We used the natural gradients in physicochemical and biological properties that upwelling establishes in surface waters to study their roles in nitrification, and how their activity-ascertained from quantification of ecotype-specific ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) genes and transcripts-varies in response to environmental fluctuations. Our results indicate a role for both ecotypes in nitrification in Monterey Bay surface waters.

“
“Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in leukocyte trafficking, induction of cellular immune responses, and immunological synapse formation. As a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesion proteins, ICAM-1 is composed of repeating Ig-like domains, a transmembrane

domain, and short cytoplasmic tail that participates in intracellular signaling events. At least seven ICAM-1 protein isoforms are generated by alternative splicing, however little is known regarding their immunobiology. GSK2126458 price We have previously shown using different lines of ICAM-1 mutant mice (Icam1(tm1Jcgr) and Icam1(tm1Bay)) that expression of alternatively spliced ICAM-1 isoforms can significantly influence the disease course during the development of EAE. In this study, we show using a newly developed transgenic mouse (CD2-Icam1(D4del)/Icam1(null))

that T-cell-specific expression of a single ICAM-1 isoform composed of Ig domains 1, 2, 3, and 5 can mediate the initiation and progression of EAE. Our results indicate that the ICAM-1 isoform lacking Ig domain 4 can drive pathogenesis in demyelinating disease and may be a novel therapeutic target for treating multiple sclerosis.”
“Our recent studies of microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures indicated that microRNA-29a (miR-29a) was significantly downregulated in several types of human cancers, suggesting that miR-29a may be a putative tumor-suppressive miRNA in human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional significance of miR-29a in cervical squamous KU-57788 mw cell carcinoma (SCC) and to identify novel miR-29a-regulated cancer pathways and target genes involved in cervical SCC oncogenesis and metastasis. Restoration of miR-29a in cervical cancer cell lines (CaSKi, HeLa, ME180 and Yumoto) revealed that this miRNA significantly inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. Gene expression data and in silico selleckchem analysis demonstrated that heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47), a member of the serpin superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors

and a molecular chaperone involved in the maturation of collagen molecules, was a potential target of miR-29a regulation. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-29a directly regulated HSP47. Moreover, silencing of the HSP47 gene significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion in cancer cells and the expression of HSP47 was upregulated in cancer tissues and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), as demonstrated by immunostaining. Downregulation of miR-29a was a frequent event in cervical SCC and miR-29a acted as a tumor suppressor by directly targeting HSP47. Recognition of tumor-suppressive miRNA-regulated molecular targets provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of cervical SCC oncogenesis and metastasis and suggests novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of this disease.

We conclude that the short-term retention of information can be supported by the temporary reactivation

of LTM representations.”
“The in vivo apoplastic fluid secretome of rice-blast fungus interaction remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we report a proteomics investigation of in vivo secreted proteins of rice leaves infected with incompatible (KJ401) and compatible (KJ301) races of Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) using 2-DGE and MudPIT coupled with MALDI-TOF-MS and/or nESI-LC-MS/MS analyses. Prepared fractions of secretory proteins were essentially free from cytoplasmic contamination. Two-DGE and MudPIT identified 732 secretory proteins, Staurosporine where 291 (40%) and 441 (60%) proteins were derived from rice and M. oryzae, respectively. Of these, 39.2% (rice) and 38.9% (M. oryzae) of proteins were predicted by SignalP as retaining signal peptides. Among these, rice secreted more proteins related to stress response, ROS and energy metabolism, whereas, M. oryzae secreted more proteins involved in metabolism and cell

wall hydrolyses. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed their differential expression under compatible/incompatible interactions. In vivo expression of M. oryzae glycosyl hydrolase (GH) protein Sapanisertib family members using particle bombardment driven transient expression system showed that four GH genes could act as effectors within host apoplast possibly via interaction with host membrane bound receptor. The established in vivo secretome serves as a valuable resource toward secretome analysis of rice-M. oryzae interaction. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Urolithiasis is a common multifactorial urological disorder ABT-263 manufacturer that is characterized by stone formation. Interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are pro-inflammatory cytokines that might be linked with urolithiasis. The single nucleotide polymorphisms within the IL-1 and IL-6 cytokine genes altered the cytokine expression levels. Our aim was to investigate the potential of IL-1 beta (-511 C>T), IL-6 (-174 G>C,

572 G>C, 597 G>A) and IL-1 RN VNTR gene polymorphisms to be a genetic marker for urinary stone disease. The polymorphisms studied in the promoter regions of IL-1 beta and IL-6 genes did not reveal a strong association with urolithiasis when compared to the control group (p = 0.293, 0.871, 0.921, 0.536, respectively). However, a significant difference was observed between control and patient groups for IL-1 RN VNTR gene polymorphism (chi(2) = 6.131, d.f. = 2, p = 0.047). Our data provide evidence that IL-1RN VNTR gene polymorphism may be involved in the pathogenesis of urinary stone formation, contributing to genetic susceptibility for urolithiasis. (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease featuring inflammatory nodules, fistulas and discharge of secretions in the intertriginous regions. Without therapy the disease is chronic and progressive.