1,062 research outputs found
A functional microsatellite of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene associated with meningococcal disease
No full textMacrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an abundantly expressed proinflammatory cytokine playing a critical role in innate immunity and sepsis and other inflammatory diseases. We examined whether functional MIF gene polymorphisms (-794 CATT(5-8) microsatellite and -173 G/C SNP) were associated with the occurrence and outcome of meningococcal disease in children. The CATT(5) allele was associated with the probability of death predicted by the Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (P=0.001), which increased in correlation with the CATT(5) copy number (P=0.04). The CATT(5) allele, but not the -173 G/C alleles, was also associated with the actual mortality from meningoccal sepsis [OR 2.72 (1.2-6.4), P=0.02]. A family-based association test (i.e., transmission disequilibrium test) performed in 240 trios with 1 afflicted offspring indicated that CATT(5) was a protective allele (P=0.02) for the occurrence of meningococcal disease. At baseline and after stimulation with Neisseria meningitidis in THP-1 monocytic cells or in a whole-blood assay, CATT(5) was found to be a low-expression MIF allele (P=0.005 and P=0.04 for transcriptional activity; P=0.09 and P=0.09 for MIF production). Taken together, these data suggest that polymorphisms of the MIF gene affecting MIF expression are associated with the occurrence, severity, and outcome of meningococcal disease in children.-Renner, P., Roger, T., Bochud, P.-Y., Sprong, T., Sweep, F. C. G. J., Bochud, M., Faust, S. N., Haralambous, E., Betts, H., Chanson, A.-L., Reymond, M. K., Mermel, E., Erard, V., van Deuren, M., Read, R. C., Levin, M., Calandra, T. A functional microsatellite of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene associated with meningococcal disease
Estimation of exposure durations for vitamin D production and sunburn risk in Switzerland
No full textErratum for:Estimation of exposure durations for vitamin D production and sunburn risk in Switzerland. [J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019]
In the original article, the authorship list was given as "A. Religi 1 , C. Backes 2,3 , A. Chatelan 2 , J.-L. Bulliard 2 , L. Vuilleumier 4 , L. Moccozet 1 , M. Bochud 2 , D. Vernez 3 ". This has been updated to "A. Religi *1 , C. Backes *2,3 , A. Chatelan 2 , J.-L. Bulliard 2 , L. Vuilleumier 4 , L. Moccozet 1 , M. Bochud 2 , D. Vernez 3 "
Figure 3 from: Jochum A, Bochud E, Favre A, Ferrand M, Wackenheim Q (2020) A new species of Laoennea microsnail (Stylommatophora, Diapheridae) from a cave in Laos. Subterranean Biology 36: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.36.58977
No full textFigure 3 Speleological map and ecology of Tham Houey Yè (18°56'11"N, 102°25'28"E) including 11.2 km of caverns A shell of L. renouardi sp. nov. on moist substrate (image: M. Ferrand) and map of the cave showing the entrance to the cave, the collection site of L. renouardi sp. nov. marked by a red star and the entrance to the nearby touristic cave of Tham Pha Leusi. Tiny question marks on the map indicate uncertainties regarding the continuation of unexplored tiny galleries (EEGC et al. 2003, 2005) B landscape view from the entrance of Tham Houey Yè (image: M. Ferrand) C west gallery (image: M. Ferrand) D natural upper entrance of the cavern system Tham Houey Yè – Tham Pha Leusi (image: M. Ferrand) E active section of Yè River during the dry season in Tham Houey Yè (image: J- F. Fabriol)
The novel ss469415590 variant predicts virological response to therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus type 1 infection.
No full textBACKGROUND: A novel dinucleotide variant TT/∆G (ss469415590) has been associated with hepatitis C virus clearance.
AIM: To assess the role of the ss469415590 variant, compared with the known IL28B polymorphisms (rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs12980275) for predicting virological
response to therapy in chronic hepatitis C, and its association with the CXCL10 chemokine serum levels - a surrogate marker of interferon-stimulated genes
activation.
METHODS: Multivariate analysis of factors predicting rapid and sustained
virological response in 280 consecutive, treatment-naïve, nondiabetic, Caucasian
patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.
RESULTS: In hepatitis C virus genotype 1, the OR (95% CI) for rapid and sustained
virological response for the wild-type ss469415590 TT was 9.88 (1.99-48.99) and
7.25 (1.91-27.51), respectively, similar to those found for rs12979860 CC [9.55
(1.93-47.37) and 6.30 (1.71-23.13)] and for rs12980275 AA [9.62 (1.94-47.77] and
7.83 (2.02-30.34)], but higher than for rs8099917 TT [4.8 (1.73-13.33) and 4.75 (2.05-10.98)]. In hepatitis C virus genotype 1, mean (SD) CXCL10 levels in
patients with the TT/TT, TT/∆G and ∆G/∆G variants were, respectively, 355.1 (240.6), 434.4 (247.4) and 569.9 (333.3) (P = 0.04). In patients with genotypes 2 and 3 no significant association was found for TT/∆G with viral response. The
predictive value of ss469415590 was stronger in patients with advanced fibrosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The novel IL28B variants at marker ss469415590 predict response to
IFN alpha in chronic hepatitis C patients, especially in those with advanced
fibrosis. Their determination may be superior to that of known IL28B variants for patient management using IFN-based regimens
The novel ss469415590 variant predicts virological response to therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus type 1 infection
No full textBackground/Aims: A novel dinucleotide variant TT/G (ss469415590) has been associated with hepatitis C virus clearance. We aimed to assess the role of the ss469415590 variant, compared to the known IL28B polymorphisms (rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs12980275) for predicting virological response to therapy in chronic hepatitis C and its association with the CXCL10 chemokine serum levels, a surrogate marker of interferon-stimulated genes activation. Methods: Multivariate analysis of factors predicting rapid and sustained virological response in 280 consecutive, treatment-naïve, non-diabetic Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. Results: In hepatitis C virus genotype 1 the OR (95% CI) for rapid and sustained virological response for the wild type ss469415590 TT were 9.88 (1.99-48.99) and 7.25 (1.91-27.51) respectively, similar to those found for rs12979860 CC (9.55 (1.93-47.37) and 6.30 (1.71-23.13)) and for rs12980275 AA (9.62 (1.94-47.77) and 7.83 (2.02-30.34)), but higher than for rs8099917 TT (4.8 (1.73-13.33) and 4.75 (2.05-10.98)). In hepatitis C virus genotype 1 mean (SD) CXCL10 levels in patients with the TT/TT, TT/G and G/G variants were, respectively, 355.1 (240.6), 434.4 (247.4) and 569.9 (333.3) (P=0.04). In patients with genotype 2 and 3 no significant association was found of TT/G with viral response. The predictive value of ss469415590 was stronger in patients with advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: The novel IL28B variants at marker ss469415590 predict response to IFN alpha in chronic hepatitis C patients, especially in those with advanced fibrosis. Their determination may be superior to that of known IL28B variants for patient management using IFN-based regimens
Genome-wide association study identifies a variant in HDAC9 associated with large vessel ischemic stroke
No full textGenetic factors have been implicated in stroke risk, but few replicated associations have been reported. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for ischemic stroke and its subtypes in 3,548 affected individuals and 5,972 controls, all of European ancestry. Replication of potential signals was performed in 5,859 affected individuals and 6,281 controls. We replicated previous associations for cardioembolic stroke near PITX2 and ZFHX3 and for large vessel stroke at a 9p21 locus. We identified a new association for large vessel stroke within HDAC9 (encoding histone deacetylase 9) on chromosome 7p21.1 (including further replication in an additional 735 affected individuals and 28,583 controls) (rs11984041; combined P = 1.87 × 10<sup>−11</sup>; odds ratio (OR) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28–1.57). All four loci exhibited evidence for heterogeneity of effect across the stroke subtypes, with some and possibly all affecting risk for only one subtype. This suggests distinct genetic architectures for different stroke subtypes
Figure 2 from: Jochum A, Bochud E, Favre A, Ferrand M, Wackenheim Q (2020) A new species of Laoennea microsnail (Stylommatophora, Diapheridae) from a cave in Laos. Subterranean Biology 36: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.36.58977
No full textFigure 2 Location and topography of type locality A, B maps showing Laos, the geographical origin of the type localities of Laoennea species, L. renouardi sp. nov. and L. carychioides. The greyscale indicates the local mean elevation. This map was downloaded from WORLDCLIM (Hijmans et al. 2005) and political borders were retrieved from Esri Data and Maps (2002)C topographical map indicating geological formations and the type locality caves, 1 Tham Pou Kham (L. carychioides) and 2 Tham Houey Yè (L. renouardi sp. nov.) in two independent karst networks. The map was created using QGIS software 2.18.24. The source of the data for the digital elevation model is SRTM 30 m
Inactive matrix gla-protein is associated with arterial atiffness in an adult population-based study
No full textLa vitesse de l'onde de pouls (VOP) est la méthode pour mesurer la rigidité artérielle la plus répandue et la plus validée. C'est aussi un prédicteur indépendant de la mortalité. La Matrix Gla- protein (MGP) est une protein qui inhibe les calcifications vasculaires. MGP nécessite une enzyme dérivée de la vitamine K pour être activée, à l'instar de certains facteurs de coagulation. La forme inactive de MGP, connue sous le terme de « desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP » (dp-ucMGP), peut-être mesurée dans le plasma. Plus les apports de vitamine K sont importants plus les taux de dp-ucMGP diminue. Les taux de dp-ucMGP ont déjà été étudiés et associés à différents marqueurs cardiovasculaires (CV), aux événements CV et à la mortalité.
Dans notre travail de recherche nous avons émis l'hypothèse que des taux élevés de dp-ucMGP seraient associés à une VOP élevée. Nous avons recruté les participants à travers une étude multicentrique suisse (SKIPOGH). Le processus de recrutement ciblait des familles dans lesquelles plusieurs membres étaient d'accord de participer.
Nous avons mesuré la dp-ucMGP plasmatique grâce à la méthode immuno-enzymatique « ELISA ». Concernant la VOP, nous avons mesuré les ondes de pression au niveau carotidien et fémorale grâce à un tonomètre et calculer la vitesse de leurs propagations. Par la suite nous avons utilisé un modèle de régression linéaire multiple afin de déterminer le lien entre la VOP et dp- ucMGP. Le modèle était ajusté pour l'âge, la fonction rénale et les risques CV classiques.
Nous avons inclut 1001 participants dans les analyses (475 hommes et 526 femmes). La valeur moyenne de la VOP était de 7.87 ± 2.10 (m/s) et celle de dp-ucMGP de 0.43 ± 0.20 (nmol/L). La VOP était positivement et significativement associée à dp-ucMGP avant comme après ajustement pour le sexe, l'âge, l'indice de masse corporel, la taille, la pression artérielle systolique et diastolique, la fréquence cardiaque, la fonction rénale, les taux de cholestérol (LDL, HDL), la glycémie, la consommation de tabac, la présence d'un diabète, l'utilisation de médicaments antihypertenseurs ou hypolipémiants et la présence d'antécédents CV (P<0.01).
En conclusion, des taux élevés de dp-ucMGP sont positivement et indépendamment associés à la rigidité artérielle après ajustement pour les facteurs de risques CV traditionnels, la fonction rénale et l'âge. Des études expérimentales sont nécessaires afin de déterminer si une supplémentation en vitamine K permet de ralentir l'avancement de la rigidité artérielle grâce à son activation de la MGP
Association of blood pressure and dietary patterns with family history of hypertension in Switzerland
No full textObjective: Genetic factors are known to affect blood pressure. A positive family history of hypertension is associated with higher blood pressure levels than a negative history. To our knowledge, there are no population-based data across linguistic regions on this topic in Switzerland. Furthermore, little is known about the association of family history of hypertension with dietary patterns. We analysed the association of father's, mother's and siblings' history of hypertension with blood pressure and dietary habits in the Swiss Survey on Salt Intake.
Methods: We used data from 1448 participants to the Swiss Survey on Salt intake, a population-based study conducted in 2010-2012 in the general population aged 15 years and older. Participants were asked about their family history of hypertension, their behaviour and perception in relation to dietary salt consumption, their lifestyle. Office blood pressure was measured using a validated automatic device. We estimated salt, potassium and protein intakes using 24-hour urinary sodium, potassium and urea excretions. We used multiple logistic and linear regressions to explore factors associated with family history of hypertension and the association of blood pressure with a family history of hypertension.
Results: The 785 men and 863 women had mean[SD] age of 48.3[18.6] and 46.6[18.2] years and bmi of 26.1[4.3] and 24.4[4.8] , respectively. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) was higher in people with a positive as compared to those with a negative family history of hypertension (133.4/79.0 vs 127.4/74.4 in men and 120.8/73.4 vs 117.2/71.2 in women, all P<0.0001). In adjusted analyses, a positive family history of hypertension was associated with 3.8/3.9 mm Hg higher SBP/DBP in men (P<0.001), whereas no association persisted in women. In adjusted analyses, we found no significant differences in urinary sodium, potassium and urea excretions by family history of hypertension. People with a positive family history of hypertension, as compared to those with a negative history, tended to report more frequently to pay attention to their salt consumption (Odds ratio[Standard error] (OR[SE])=1.49[0.29] in women, P=0.04 and 1.45[0.31] in men, P=0.09). We found no association between family history of hypertension and self-reported attempt to limit salt intake. People from the German-speaking region had higher odds of a positive family history of hypertension than people from the French-speaking region (OR[SE]=1.81[0.39] in men, P=0.01 and 1.56[0.30] in women, P=0.02), independently of hypertension status.
Conclusions: We found a positive family history of hypertension to be associated with higher blood pressure in this Swiss population-based sample. People with a positive family
history of hypertension reported to pay more attention to dietary salt intake, although they did not attempt to limit salt intake. This was confirmed by the fact that we found similar dietary salt intake, estimated from 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, in people with and without family history of hypertension. We found no difference in 24-hour urinary potassium and urea excretions in people with and without family history of hypertension. Finally, we found higher prevalence of positive family history of hypertension in the German speaking region of Switzerland as compared to the French-speaking region, independently of hypertension status. Family history of hypertension does not appear to greatly influence dietary patterns in Switzerland
Meat intake in the Swiss adult population: association with anthropometric measurements. Data from the first national nutrition survey, menuCH.
No full textBackground: Elevated meat intake has been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Consuming less meat in a daily routine is associated with a decrease in total mortality and can help preventing these chronic diseases. Over the past decade, more people tend to reduce their meat consumption or even to adopt a vegetarian or a vegan diet. This decision is motivated by looking for a better health, for ethical reasons and trying to reach a more sustainable diet. Results from menuCH, the first national nutrition survey, have shown Swiss adults are eating more meat than recommended by the Swiss food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG).
Setting: menuCH is a nutrition survey conducted in Switzerland from January 2014 until February 2015. This cross- sectional population-based study included 2086 adults aged 18 to 75 years from the three main linguistic regions of Switzerland (German, French and Italian). For these analyses, 2013 had non-missing values for the variables of interest who represent a total of 4’529’417 inhabitants.
Methods: Each participant underwent two 24-h dietary recalls (24HDR) conducted by trained dieticians in several Swiss centers. Participants completed a questionnaire on eating behaviors, physical activity level (PAL), anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics. Weighted means, medians, percentiles 25, 75 were generated for total (TM), fresh (FM) and processed meat (PM) intakes overall and by selected strata. A category of non-meat consumers during the two recalls was created. Stratified analyses were done by sex, age groups, linguistic regions and socio-economic level. Weighted multiple linear regression was used to explore factors associated with total, fresh and processed meat intake. Weighted multiple logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with meat consumption.
Results: 1,798 participants out of 2,013 (89,3%) consumed meat products during the two 24HDR; 1,374 (68,3%) consumed fresh meat and 1,439 (71,5%) consumed processed meat. The mean (±SD) intakes of TM, FM and PM were 121 (± 84,3) g, 94,2 (± 69,8) g and 60,2 (± 55,7) g, respectively. The median intakes of TM, FM and PM were 102,4 g, 75 g and 48,2 g. Men consumed more meat than women (56,6g more of TM, 36g more of FM and 23,2g more PM). Italian- speaking and French-speaking participants consumed more TM and FM than German-speaking participants. Overweight and obese people had similar intakes of TM, FM and PM. In each meat categories, they had higher intakes compared to normal and underweight people who had similar results of TM and FM intakes. People with a substantially increased value of WC were more likely to consume more TM, FM and PM. Those with an increased value of WHR were more likely to consume more TM. For each category of meat and variables, results were even more significant looking at the P90 category. In multiple weighted linear regression analyses, many factors were statistically significantly associated with TM, FM or PM intakes. Older people consumed less TM and FM than the youngest ones. Women consumed less TM and PM than men. People from French or Italian-speaking regions consumed more TM and FM than the ones coming from German-speaking regions. People from French-speaking region consumed less PM than German-speaking population. Non-Swiss citizens had less intake of TM than Swiss citizens. People who had a tertiary education consumed less TM than those who had a primary education. Overweight and obese participants were more likely to consume TM, FM and PM than underweight participants. Households with incomes between 6000-8999CHF per month had less PM intake than households with incomes below 5999 CHF per month. In multiple weighted logistical regression analyses, TM consumption was associated with sex (lower in women than in men), BMI categories (higher in overweight and obese participants than in underweight participants), household income (higher for high income than for low income) and PA level (lower for moderate PA for low PA), but not with age, language region, education level, household status, smoking status or being currently on a diet.
Conclusion: These analyses help better understanding the characteristics of Swiss adults who consume a lot of meat and those who have a low-meat consumption. As expected, women consume less meat than men and a high consumption of meat is associated with higher values of BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-hip-ratio. These descriptions of meat consumption among Swiss adults can help formulate dietary recommendations aiming at reducing meat intake overall, and processed meat intake in particular, in Switzerland
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