Search

Purpose. To analyse the clinical efficacy of biofeedback electrical stimulation combined with doxycycline in the treatment of type IIIA chronic prostatitis. Methods. Eighty patients who met the diagnostic criteria of type IIIA chronic prostatitis in our hospital between February 2020 and February 2022 were selected and equally divided into the drug group and electrical stimulation group according to the random number table method. The drug group was treated with medication alone for 4 weeks; the electrostimulation group was treated with biofeedback electrostimulation on top of medication for 12 weeks. The expressed prostatic secretious (EPS) routine (lecithin bodies, white blood cells) and the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and mean urinary flow rate (Qave) were measured before and after treatment in both groups, and the National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) was used to score the urinary symptom, pain or discomfort, and quality of life and determine the efficacy of the treatment in both groups. Results. After treatment, the number of lecithin bodies and white blood cells in EPS improved significantly in both groups compared to before, and both the electrical stimulation group was better than the drug group ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, the Qmax and Qave were significantly higher in both groups than before, and both the electrical stimulation groups were higher than the drug group ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, the urinary symptom scores, pain or discomfort scores, quality of life scores, and total NIH-CPSI scores were significantly lower in both groups than before, and all were lower in the electrical stimulation group than in the drug group ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, the overall efficiency of patients in the electrical stimulation group was significantly higher than that of the drug group ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Biofeedback electrical stimulation combined with doxycycline in the treatment of type IIIA chronic prostatitis can synergistically improve the patient’s inflammation level, urinary dysfunction, relieve pelvic floor tension myalgia, and improve their quality of life, opening up new avenues for the rehabilitation of patients with type IIIA chronic prostatitis.

OBJECTIVES It has been reported that CXCR3 is related to inflammatory cell infiltration. The purpose of this study was to investigate iodine-125-labeled CXCL10, a ligand of CXCR3, as a tracer targeting CXCR3 to detect acute rejection in a mouse skin transplant model. MATERIALS AND METHODS The isograft and allograft skin models were established with BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse skin, respectively, as donors and BALB/c mice as recipients. We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunochemistry staining to test CXCR3 expression. ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 was produced with the iodogenic method. Allograft/isograft mice were examined with whole body autoradiography and ex vivo biodistribution after tail vein injection of ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 on day 8 posttransplant. RESULTS CXCR3 expression was higher in allograft tissue than in isograft control. ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 was prepared with high specificity and affinity. Biodistribution results showed higher ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 uptake in allograft tissue. The target-to-nontarget ratio was 3.01 ± 0.25 at 24 hours, a result higher than that shown in the isograft group. Pharmacokinetic analyses of ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 showed that distribution half-life was 0.34 hour and the elimination half-life was 9.83 hours. Dynamic whole body autoradiography images of ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 showed excellent graft visualization in the allograft compared with the isograft group at all checking points, with visualization much more obvious at 12 and 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that CXCR3 is a promising imaging target for immune cell infiltration in early-stage acute rejection and ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 can successfully image acute rejection with good pharmacokinetics.

Limited-stage (LS) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains an area of high unmet medical need. The standard-of-care therapy comprises curative-intent platinum-based chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy (cCRT), which can be followed by prophylactic brain irradiation and then observation. However, most patients will relapse. Durvalumab (antiprogrammed cell death ligand-1) has enhanced the efficacy outcomes after cCRT for patients with unresectable, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. Recently, durvalumab combined with platinum-etoposide demonstrated a significant survival benefit compared with platinum-etoposide as first-line treatment of patients with extensive-stage SCLC and has also shown antitumor activity as monotherapy and combined with tremelimumab (anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen-4) in pretreated patients with extensive-stage SCLC. ADRIATIC, a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, global study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03703297), is designed to investigate the efficacy of durvalumab, with or without tremelimumab, as consolidation therapy for patients with LS-SCLC without disease progression after cCRT. Approximately 600 patients with documented histologic or cytologic LS-SCLC, World Health Organization/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1, and no progression after 4 cycles of cCRT will be randomized (1:1:1) to treatment (durvalumab 1500 mg plus placebo every 4 weeks [q4w] for 4 cycles, followed by durvalumab 1500 mg q4w; durvalumab 1500 mg plus tremelimumab 75 mg q4w for 4 cycles, followed by durvalumab 1500 mg q4w; or dual placebo q4w for 4 cycles, followed by single placebo q4w) within 1 to 42 days of completing cCRT, stratified by stage and receipt of prophylactic brain irradiation. The primary endpoints are progression-free survival and overall survival. The secondary endpoints are overall survival and progression-free survival rates, objective response rate, and safety and tolerability. Recruitment began in September 2018.

Objective. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical application value of high-frequency ultrasound combined with detection of serum high mobility group box (HMGB-1), soluble IL-2 receptor (SIL-2R), and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) in diagnosing thyroid cancer. Methods. By means of retrospective study, 50 thyroid cancer patients treated in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected as the thyroid cancer group, 50 patients with benign thyroid lesions were included in the benign lesion group, and 50 healthy individuals examined in our hospital in the same period were included in the control group. All study objects received high-frequency ultrasound examination, and at the same time, their serum HMGB-1, SIL-2R, and TgAb levels were measured. After that, the results of high-frequency ultrasound examination were analyzed, the diagnostic efficacy of different diagnosis methods was explored, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. Results. According to the results of high-frequency ultrasound examination, there were significant differences in echogenicity surrounding and inside the lesion, calcification, blood flow distribution, and blood flow parameters between the thyroid cancer group and the benign lesion group (P

Background: According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of infertility is about 15%, and more than 50% of infertility cases are caused by male infertility. Asthenozoospermia is caused by male fertility decline and male infertility. Due to work pressure, environmental pollution, sexual diseases, and other factors, the number of patients with asthenozoospermia has increased in recent years. It has been confirmed that acupuncture has a certain effect on patients with asthenozoospermia. Acupuncture and moxibustion can be an adjuvant treatment plan for the treatment of asthenozoospermia in addition to drug treatment. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreements will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer. Results: Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of asthenozoospermia. Conclusion: This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY 202140032.

It has been reported that CXCR3 is related to inflammatory cell infiltration. The purpose of this study was to investigate iodine-125-labeled CXCL10, a ligand of CXCR3, as a tracer targeting CXCR3 to detect acute rejection in a mouse skin transplant model.The isograft and allograft skin models were established with BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse skin, respectively, as donors and BALB/c mice as recipients. We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunochemistry staining to test CXCR3 expression. ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 was produced with the iodogenic method. Allograft/isograft mice were examined with whole body autoradiography and ex vivo biodistribution after tail vein injection of ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 on day 8 posttransplant.CXCR3 expression was higher in allograft tissue than in isograft control. ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 was prepared with high specificity and affinity. Biodistribution results showed higher ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 uptake in allograft tissue. The target-to-nontarget ratio was 3.01 ± 0.25 at 24 hours, a result higher than that shown in the isograft group. Pharmacokinetic analyses of ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 showed that distribution half-life was 0.34 hour and the elimination half-life was 9.83 hours. Dynamic whole body autoradiography images of ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 showed excellent graft visualization in the allograft compared with the isograft group at all checking points, with visualization much more obvious at 12 and 24 hours.These data suggest that CXCR3 is a promising imaging target for immune cell infiltration in early-stage acute rejection and ¹²⁵I-labeled CXCL10 can successfully image acute rejection with good pharmacokinetics.

BACKGROUND This study aims to investigate the impacts of preoperative maximum detrusor pressure (Pdet.max) on minimally invasive surgery effect on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS The clinical data of a total of 156 patients receiving minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Hospital of Nanchang Institute of Medical Sciences from August 2014 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and summarized. The patients were divided into three groups according to different Pdet.max in the urodynamic examination results before the surgery, namely, group A (Pdet.max

Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) can negatively affect men's mental health, interpersonal relationships, and overall well-being. ED has affected >150 million men worldwide, and this number will reach approximately 322 million by 2025. Although PDE5-Is is a landmark in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it may have side effects such as penile pain, cardiovascular dysfunction, and deafness. Some studies have shown that acupuncture may have a positive effect on the pathophysiology of ED. Therefore, we will select all randomized controlled trials related to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment of ED. Methods This study will systematically search 7 digital databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase for randomized controlled trials without language restrictions. Two researchers will independently read the title, abstract, and full text to screen for studies that can be included in the meta-analysis. If there is any dispute, the third party will be required to reach a consensus. Results The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of ED and the difference in the impact of different types of acupuncture on ED. Conclusion Judge whether acupuncture and moxibustion can help improve the symptoms of ED by evaluating relevant literatures, and make up for the lack of relevant research. Inplasy registration number INPLASY 202140040.

βγ-Crystallins, having a uniquely stable two domain four Greek key structure, are crucial for transparency of the eye lens,. Mutations in lens crystallins have been proposed to cause cataract formation by a variety of mechanisms most of which involve destabilization of the protein fold. The underlying molecular mechanism for autosomal dominant zonular cataracts with sutural opacities in an Indian family caused by a c.215+1G>A splice mutation in the βA3/A1-crystallin gene CRYBA1 was elucidated using three transgenic mice models. This mutation causes a splice defect in which the mutant mRNA escapes nonsense mediated decay by skipping both exons 3 and 4. Skipping these exons results in an in-frame deletion of the mRNA and synthesis of an unstable p.Ile33_Ala119del mutant βA3/A1-crystallin protein. Transgenic expression of mutant βA3/A1-crystallin but not the wild type protein results in toxicity and abnormalities in the maturation and orientation of differentiating lens fibers in c.97_357del CRYBA1 transgenic mice, leading to a small spherical lens, cataract, and often lens capsule rupture. On a cellular level, the lenses accumulated p.Ile33_Ala119del βA3/A1-crystallin with resultant activation of the stress signaling pathway - unfolded protein response (UPR) and inhibition of normal protein synthesis, culminating in apoptosis. This highlights the mechanistic contrast between mild mutations that destabilize crystallins and other proteins, resulting in their being bound by the α-crystallins that buffer lens cells against damage by denatured proteins, and severely misfolded proteins that are not bound by α-crystallin but accumulate and have a direct toxic effect on lens cells, resulting in early onset cataracts.

SERUM measures of inflammatory activation are among the most reliable markers of risk for adverse health outcomes in older persons (1). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other proinflammatory cytokines predict disability and mortality and have been correlated to many chronic diseases that are highly prevalent and frequently result in disability in older persons (1–3). Increasing evidence from basic biological studies suggest that inflammatory cytokines play a direct role in the development and clinical progression of chronic disease states, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer, and the typical manifestations of aging, such as sarcopenia, anemia, and cognitive decline (4–9). Although the specific mechanisms that link inflammation to mortality and other adverse health outcomes have not been clarified, developing parsimonious and reliable measures of inflammation may be useful in clinical practice as risk assessment tools, as potential therapeutic targets, and to monitor clinical progression and effectiveness of interventions. In spite of this potential clinical utility, with the potential exception of C-reactive protein (CRP) in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases (10), inflammatory markers have not yet been widely incorporated into clinical practice (11), partly because there is not yet a “gold standard” inflammatory measurement that best and most reliably predicts adverse outcomes in older adults. In fact, there have been few attempts to develop a comprehensive study of inflammatory markers for this purpose and to aggregate biologically informed measures to maximize predictive validity (11,12). As a result, most studies on the effect of proinflammatory state on health outcomes in older patients still consider cytokines separately. Previous research has suggested that the upregulation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB)-mediated innate immune system plays a key role in the progressive rise of serum inflammatory markers with aging (13). Building on this biological knowledge, we hypothesized that a simple aggregate measure whose expression is influenced by NFkB activation would be independently predictive of mortality and other adverse outcomes than any single inflammatory marker, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, smoking, and CVD status. We sought to evaluate this hypothesis and identify the subset of 15 NFkB-related inflammatory markers that were most predictive of mortality for 10 years in two large longitudinal cohort populations of older adults. As exploratory analyses, we also evaluated (a) whether the inflammatory phenotype for predicting mortality differed according to sex and CVD status and (b) whether the impact of inflammation on mortality changed with age.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous, life-threatening disease characterized by fibrosis, microvasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Extensive nonclinical and clinical data implicate B cells in the pathogenesis of SSc. MEDI-551 is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the B cell surface antigen CD19 and mediates antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity of B cells. This clinical study evaluated the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of MEDI-551 in subjects with SSc. This phase I multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single escalating dose study enrolled adult subjects with either limited or diffuse cutaneous SSc. A single intravenous dose of MEDI-551 was administered, and safety and tolerability were evaluated. MEDI-551 pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity were also assessed. Safety assessments included the incidence of adverse events and changes in clinical and laboratory results. MEDI-551 serum concentrations, effects on circulating and tissue B cells and plasma cells (PCs), and antidrug antibodies were analyzed. Modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) and pulmonary function tests were used to explore the clinical effect of MEDI-551. The study enrolled 28 subjects with SSc (mean age, 47.3 years; 67.9 % female). Twenty-four received a single dose of MEDI-551 (0.1–10.0 mg/kg) and four received placebo. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 95.8 % of subjects in the MEDI-551 group and in 75.0 % of subjects in the placebo group; the majority of TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Two serious adverse events were considered possibly related to the study drug. One death, deemed not related to the study drug, occurred in a MEDI-551-treated subject. MEDI-551 exhibited linear PK in the dose range of 1.0 to 10.0 mg/kg, and more rapid clearance at lower doses. Dose-dependent depletion of circulating B cells and plasma cells was observed. MRSS assessments suggest a possible clinical effect of MEDI-551 on affected skin. A single escalating dose of MEDI-551 was tolerable and safe in this subject population. B cell depletion was achieved and was dose dependent. A signal of clinical effect was observed. Based on these results, further investigation of MEDI-551 as a disease-modifying treatment for SSc is warranted. www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT00946699 ; registered 23 July 2009.

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy characterized by multiple glistening intraretinal crystals scattered over the fundus, a characteristic degeneration of the retina, and sclerosis of the choroidal vessels, ultimately resulting in progressive night blindness and constriction of the visual field. The BCD region of chromosome 4q35.1 was refined to an interval flanked centromerically by D4S2924 by linkage and haplotype analysis; mutations were found in the novel CYP450 family member CYP4V2 in 23 of 25 unrelated patients with BCD tested. The CYP4V2 gene, transcribed from 11 exons spanning 19 kb, is expressed widely. Homology to other CYP450 proteins suggests that CYP4V2 may have a role in fatty acid and steroid metabolism, consistent with biochemical studies of patients with BCD.

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve can be utilized to evaluate the performance of diagnostic tests. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) is a widely used summary index for comparing multiple ROC curves. Both parametric and nonparametric methods have been developed to estimate and compare the AUCs. However, these methods are usually only applicable to data collected from simple random samples and not surveys and epidemiologic studies that use complex sample designs such as stratified and/or multistage cluster sampling with sample weighting. Such complex samples can inflate variances from intra-cluster correlation and alter the expectations of test statistics because of the use of sample weights that account for differential sampling rates. In this paper, we modify the nonparametric method to incorporate sampling weights to estimate the AUC and employ leaving-one-out jackknife methods along with the balanced repeated replication method to account for the effects of the complex sampling in the variance estimation of our proposed estimators of the AUC. The finite sample properties of our methods are evaluated using simulations, and our methods are illustrated by comparing the estimated AUC for predicting overweight/obesity using different measures of body weight and adiposity among sampled children and adults in the US Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

To investigate genetic variants that affect iron concentrations in persons not affected by overt genetic disorders of iron metabolism, a genome-wide association study was conducted in the InCHIANTI Study (N = 1206) and the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (N = 713). The top 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were examined for replication in the Women's Health and Aging Study (WHAS) I and II (N = 569). The single-nucleotide polymorphism most strongly associated with lower serum iron concentration was rs4820268 (P = 5.12 × 10−9), located in exon 13 of the transmembrane protease serine 6 (TMPRSS6) gene, an enzyme that promotes iron absorption and recycling by inhibiting hepcidin antimicrobial peptide transcription. The allele associated with lower iron concentrations was also associated with lower hemoglobin levels, smaller red cells, and more variability in red cell size (high red blood cell distribution width). Our results confirm the association of TMPRSS6 variants with iron level and provide further evidence of association with other anemia-related phenotypes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether use of diuretics, angiotensin-1 receptor blockers (ARB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), calcium channel blockers (CCB), or β-blockers (BB) was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia in participants with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Secondary longitudinal data analysis of the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study in older adults at least 75 years of age with normal cognition (n = 1,928) or MCI (n = 320) over a median 6.1-year period using Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting for confounders. Results: Diuretic use was reported by 15.6%, ARB 6.1%, ACE-I 15.1%, CCB 14.8%, and BB 20.5%. Of the 2,248 participants, 290 (13%) developed AD dementia. Hazard ratio for incident AD dementia among participants with normal cognition was 0.51 in diuretic (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.82), 0.31 in ARB (95% CI 0.14–0.68), 0.50 in ACE-I (95% CI 0.29–0.83), 0.62 in CCB (95% CI 0.35–1.09), and 0.58 in BB (95% CI 0.36–0.93) users and was not significantly altered when mean systolic blood pressure was above 140 mm Hg. In participants with MCI, only diuretic use was associated with decreased risk (hazard ratio = 0.38, 95% CI 0.20–0.73). Conclusions: Diuretic, ARB, and ACE-I use was, in addition to and/or independently of mean systolic blood pressure, associated with reduced risk of AD dementia in participants with normal cognition, while only diuretic use was associated with reduced risk in participants with MCI.

9029Background: The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is an important immune inhibitory pathway contributing to tumor cell escape from immunosurveillance. A Phase 1/2 dose escalation and dose expansion study is ongo...

Few studies have addressed changes in physical activity participation over time among the elderly. The authors hypothesized that there were distinct trajectories of physical activity level over time and identifiable predictors of such trajectories, as well as that the maintenance of regular physical activity, even below recommended levels, was associated with lower mortality risk. Using longitudinal data (1994-2009) from 433 initially high-functioning older women aged 70-79 years at baseline, a joint latent class and survival mixture model identified 4 activity trajectory classes: always active (16.6%), fast declining (19.2%), stable moderate (32.3%), and always sedentary (31.9%). Obesity, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depressive symptoms, low self-efficacy, mobility disability, and low energy were associated with sedentary behavior and/or a fast decline in activity. Women in the fast declining and always sedentary classes had hazard ratios for death of 2.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.20, 4.59) and 3.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.72, 6.47), respectively, compared with the always active class; no mortality difference was found between the stable moderate and always active groups (hazard ratio = 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 0.63, 2.47). Our findings suggest that physical activity does not have to be vigorous to be beneficial and that the gain may be the greatest among women who reported the lowest levels of activity.

Mice homozygous for targeted deletion of the interleukin 10 gene (Il-10) have been partially characterized as a model for human frailty. These mice have increased serum interleukin (IL)-6 in midlife, skeletal muscle weakness, and an altered skeletal muscle gene expression profile compared to age and sex-matched C57BL/6 (B6) control mice. In order to further characterize for use as a frailty model, we evaluated the evolution of inflammatory pathway activation, endocrine change, and mortality in these mice. Serum was collected in groups of age- and sex-matched B6.129P2-Il10(tm1Cgn)/J (IL-10(tm/tm)) mice and B6 control mice at age 12, 24, 48, 72, and 90 weeks. Cytokines including IL-6, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (KC), IL-12, and IL-10 were measured using electro-chemiluminescent multiplex immunoassay and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was measured using solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A separate longitudinal cohort was monitored from age 35 weeks to approximately 100 weeks. Survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and detailed necropsy information was gathered in a subset of mice that died or were sacrificed. In IL-10(tm/tm) mice compared to B6 controls, serum IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, KC levels were significantly elevated across the age groups, serum mean IGF-1 levels were higher in the 48-week-old groups, and overall mortality rate was significantly higher. The quadratic relationship between IGF-1 and age was significantly different between the two strains of mice. Serum IL-6 was positively associated with IGF-1 but the effect was significantly larger in IL-10(tm/tm) mice. These findings provide additional rationale for the use of the IL-10(tm/tm) mouse as a model for frailty and for low-grade inflammatory pathway activation.

To identify the disease locus for autosomal recessive congenital cataracts in two consanguineous Pakistani families.Two Pakistani families were ascertained, ophthalmologic examination including slit lamp biomicroscopy was performed on all members, blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted. A genome-wide scan was performed using 382 polymorphic microsatellite markers on genomic DNA from affected and unaffected family members. Two-point logarithm of odds (LOD) scores were calculated using the LINKAGE program package.All the affected individuals of family PKCC009 show bilateral membranous cataract, whereas the affected individuals of family PKCC039 show bilateral posterior sub-capsular cataract. Other ocular abnormalities include corneal opacities, microcornea and nystagmus in the affected individuals of PKCC009. Maximum two point LOD scores were obtained with D1S186 (4.14 at theta = 0), D1S432 (4.01 at theta = 0), D1S2892 (4.11 at theta = 0), and D1S2797 (4.07 at theta = 0) for family PKCC009 and with D1S496 (4.73 at theta = 0), D1S2892 (4.34 at theta = 0), D1S3721 (4.83 at theta = 0), and D1S2797 (4.32 at theta = 0) for family PKCC039. The common linked region, 20.76 cM (20.80 Mb), is flanked by markers D1S2729 and D1S2890 and co-segregates with the disease in both families, placing the disease locus on chromosome 1p34.3-p32.2.Linkage analysis of autosomal recessive cataracts in two consanguineous Pakistani families localizes a novel locus for autosomal recessive congenital cataract on chromosome 1p.

To localize and identify the gene and mutations causing autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in consanguineous Pakistani families.Families were ascertained and patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations. Blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted. A genome-wide scan was performed using 382 polymorphic microsatellite markers on genomic DNA from affected and unaffected family members, and lod scores were calculated.A genome-wide scan of 50 families gave a lod score of 7.4172 with D5S2015 using HOMOG1. RP in all 4 linked families mapped to a 13.85 cM (14.87 Mb) region on chromosome 5q31-33 flanked by D5S2090 and D5S422. This region harbors the PDE6A gene, which is known to cause autosomal recessive RP. Sequencing of PDE6A showed a homozygous single base pair change; c.889C-T, single base pair insertion; c.2218-2219insT, and single base pair substitution in the splice acceptor site; IVS10-2A-G in each of three families. In the fourth family linked to this region, no disease-causing mutation was identified in the PDE6A gene.These results provide strong evidence that mutations in PDE6A result in recessive RP in three consanguineous Pakistani families. Although a fourth family was linked to markers in the 5q31-33 interval, no mutation was identified in PDE6A.

"Ant-egg" cataract is a rare, distinct variety of congenital/infantile cataract that was reported in a large Danish family in 1967. This cataract phenotype is characterized by ant-egg-like bodies embedded in the lens in a laminar configuration and is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. We retrieved the family and performed linkage analysis to determine the disease locus and identify the mutated gene.The family (CC00103) was identified in a National Register of Hereditary Eye Diseases and updated based on The Danish Civil Register System. Genome wide linkage analysis and haplotyping using STS marker systems were carried out to achieve a LOD score above 3. The disease-causing candidate gene was sequenced and the mutation was identified and verified by restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA from all individuals in family CC00103 and 60 healthy controls.Linkage analysis resulted in a LOD score of 3.91 for marker D13S1275 located close to the known cataract gene GJA3. A novel missense mutation c.32TC (L11S), was found by sequencing DNA from two affected members. The mutation was present in all affected individuals and was neither found in unaffected family members nor in 60 healthy individuals by restriction enzyme digests.The congenital "ant-egg" cataract phenotype is caused by a L11S mutation in connexin46 (Cx46) located in the signal peptide domain. Further studies are needed to unravel the mechanism leading to the formation of the "ant-eggs".

To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OPA1 gene are associated with two primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) subgroups: those with elevated intraocular pressure (POAG/IOP) and those with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in the African-Caribbean population of Barbados, West Indies.SNPs at intervening sequence (IVS) 8, +4, and +32 of the OPA1 gene were directly sequenced from 48 individuals with POAG/IOP, 48 nonglaucomatous controls, and 61 people with NTG. The remaining exons of OPA1 were screened for sequence variations in the same 48 POAG/IOP participants and 48 controls by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC), and identified variations were confirmed by bidirectional sequencing. Genotype and allele frequencies of all SNPs were compared for statistically significant differences using the chi2 and Fisher's exact test. Haplotypes and compound genotypes were also analyzed to evaluate the combined effect of the two IVS8 SNPs.The analyses of the genotype and haplotype frequencies of IVS8 +4 and +32 do not show statistically significant differences between those with POAG/IOP or NTG and controls. At IVS8 +32, although there are suggestions of possible associations of the CC genotype with NTG (chi2 = 3.81, p = 0.05), and the TC genotype with POAG/IOP (chi2 = 4.23, p = 0.04), these differences do not reach statistical significance at the level of 0.017 after a Bonferroni correction. In addition, the combined genotype comparisons at IVS8 +32 do not support the association (for controls compared to NTG chi2 = 4.19, p = 0.12, df = 2; and for controls compared to POAG chi2 = 4.83, p = 0.09, df = 2). Sixteen variants are observed in the OPA1 gene, of which 10 are novel. Neither genotype nor allele frequencies of any SNP are found to be associated with POAG/IOP.Although some results are suggestive, there is not sufficient evidence to support an association of the SNPs evaluated in OPA1 with POAG/IOP or NTG in the African-Caribbean population of Barbados, West Indies.

Previous studies exploring the relationship of neighborhood characteristics with metabolic conditions have focused on middle aged adults but none have investigated associations in older adults. We explored the relationship of neighborhood characteristics with diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic conditions in 384 community dwelling women aged 70-79 years enrolled at baseline in the Women’s Health and Aging Study II.

The γ-crystallins, together with α- and β-crystallins, comprise the major water-soluble proteins of the ocular lens.1,2 The crystallins play a critical role in development and the maintenance of lens transparency.3 α-crystallins are synthesized at high levels by epithelial and fiber cells and are expressed first at the lens vesicle stage. Morphologically, the vertebrate lens is composed of the anterior epithelial cells, which cover the anterior surface of the lens, and fiber cells, which are terminally differentiated cells derived from the epithelial cells. The numerous specializations of fiber cells, including elongation, loss of organelles, and synthesis of large amounts of lens crystallins, are critical for the normal clarity and refractive properties of the lens. β-crystallins and γ-crystallins are most highly expressed in lens fiber cells; the γ-crystallins show their highest concentration in the central nucleus, while the β-crystallins generally have their highest concentration in the cortical fiber cells.4 Several mutations in γC-crystallin associated with autosomal dominant cataract have been identified in humans.5 Previously we have demonstrated that a 5-bp insertion in exon 2 of the γC-crystallin gene (c.119_123dup CRYGC) is associated with autosomal dominant variable zonular pulverulent cataracts.6 This mutation is predicted to shift the reading frame of the γC-crystallin coding sequence, resulting in synthesis of a truncated polypeptide consisting of 41 amino acids of the first Greek key motif followed by 63 novel amino acids. Truncation of the polypeptide in the connecting region between the first two motifs would be predicted to destabilize the structure of the first motif, so that no Greek key motifs are expected to be formed correctly. One interesting clinical aspect of these cataracts is the extreme variation in phenotype of individuals carrying the five-base insertion, including both bilateral and unilateral cataracts and ranging from completely asymptomatic adult individuals with no or minimal cataract detected by slit lamp examination to severe congenital total cataracts.7 To elucidate the in vivo effects of human mutant γC-crystallin (CRYGC5bpd) in the eye lens, transgenic mice expressing mutant and wild-type human γC-crystallin under control of a highly efficient lens-specific chicken βB1-crystallin promoter that consistently has been able to drive high-level expression of transgenes in lens fiber cells8 were generated. Expression of CRYGC5bpd results in high levels of mutant mRNA and synthesis of the mutant γC-crystallin, which disrupts normal lens morphology and causes cataract. Furthermore, the high degree of variation in the severity of the cataracts in humans is recapitulated in the transgenic mice, even those originating from the same founder.

PURPOSE. To unravel the molecular genetic background in families with congenital cataract in association with microcornea (CCMC, OMIM 116150). METHODS. CCMC families were recruited from a national database on hereditary eye diseases; DNA was procured from a national gene bank on hereditary eye diseases and by blood sampling from one large family. Genomewide linkage analysis, fine mapping, and direct genomic DNA sequencing of nine cataract candidate genes were applied. Restriction enzyme digests confirmed identified mutations. RESULTS. Analyses of 10 Danish families with hereditary congenital cataract and microcornea revealed five novel mutations. Three of these affected the crystallin, -A gene (CRYAA), including two mutations (R12C and R21W) in the crystallin domain and one mutation (R116H) in the small heat shock domain. One mutation (P189L) affected the gap junction protein 8( GJA8), and one mutation (Y134X) was detected in crystallin -D (CRYGD). CONCLUSIONS. The identification of a CRYGD mutation adds another gene to those that may be mutated in CCMC and underscores the genetic heterogeneity of this condition. Three CRYAA mutations at the R116 position, in association with CCMC, suggest that R116 represents a CCMC-mutational hotspot. The CCMC phenotype demonstrates variable expression with regard to cataract morphology and age of appearance. Clinical heterogeneity, including additional malformation of the anterior segment of the eye, confirm that dedicated cataract genes may be involved in the largely unknown developmental molecular mechanisms involved in lens-anterior segment interactions. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48: 3937‐3944) DOI:10.1167/iovs.07-0013

Purpose To identify the disease locus for autosomal recessive congenital cataracts in consanguineous Pakistani families. Methods Two Pakistani families were ascertained, patients were examined, blood samples were collected, and DNA was isolated. A genome-wide scan was performed using >382 polymorphic microsatellite markers on genomic DNA from affected and unaffected family members. Two-point lod scores were calculated, haplotypes were formed by inspection, and candidate genes were sequenced. Real-time quantitative PCR techniques were used to determine the mRNA levels, and molecular modeling was performed to gain a better understanding of the significance of the disease-causing mutation. Results In the genome-wide scan, maximum lod scores of 2.67 and 2.77 for family 60004 and 2.02 and 2.04 for family 60006 were obtained for markers D22S539 and D22S315, respectively. The linked region, 22.7 cM (10 Mb) flanked by markers D22S420 and D22S1163, contains the beta-crystallin gene cluster including the genes CRYBA4, CRYBB1, CRYBB2, and CRYBB3. Sequencing of these genes showed a G-->C transition in exon 6 of CRYBB3 resulting in a p.G165R change in the betaB3-crystallin protein that cosegregates with the disease in both families. Real-time PCR analysis suggested that betaB3-crystallin mRNA levels approximate those of other betagamma-crystallins. Molecular modeling predicted changes in electrostatic potential that would be expected to reduce the stability of the fourth Greek-key motif, and hence the entire protein, dramatically. Conclusions For the first time, a mutation in CRYBB3 is reported in two consanguineous Pakistani families with autosomal recessive congenital cataracts.

To identify the disease locus of autosomal recessive congenital nuclear cataracts in a consanguineous Pakistani family.A large Pakistani family with multiple individuals affected by autosomal recessive congenital cataracts was ascertained. Patients were examined, blood samples were collected, and DNA was isolated. A genome-wide scan was performed using 382 polymorphic microsatellite markers on genomic DNA from affected and unaffected family members. Two-point lod scores were calculated, and haplotypes were formed by inspection.In the genome-wide scan, a maximum lod score of 2.89 was obtained for marker D19S414 on 19q13. Fine mapping using D19S931, D19S433, D19S928, D19S225, D19S416, D19S213, D19S425, and D19S220 markers from the Généthon database showed that markers in a 14.3-cM (12.66-Mb) interval flanked by D19S928 and D19S420 cosegregated with the cataract locus. Lack of homozygosity further suggests that the cataract locus may lie in a 7-cM (4.3-Mb) interval flanked by D19S928 proximally and D19S425 distally. On fine mapping, a maximum lod score of 3.09 was obtained with D19S416 at theta = 0.Linkage analysis identified a new locus for autosomal recessive congenital nuclear cataracts on chromosome 19q13 in a consanguineous Pakistani family.