Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and glial integrity: an exploration of associations of cytokines and kynurenine metabolites with symptoms and attention

In contrast to studies of depression and psychosis, the first part of this study showed no major differences in serum levels of cytokines and tryptophan metabolites between healthy children and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder of the combined type (ADHD). Yet, small decreases of potentially toxic kynurenine metabolites and increases of cytokines were evident in subgroups. Therefore we examined predictions of biochemical associations with the major symptom clusters, measures of attention and response variability.

Associations of Reactive Hyperemia Index and Intravascular Ultrasound-Assessed Coronary Plaque Morphology in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Although reactive hyperemia index (RHI) predicts future coronary events, associations with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-assessed coronary plaque structure have not been reported. This study therefore investigated associations between RHI and IVUS-assessed coronary plaques. In 362 patients RHI was measured by noninvasive peripheral arterial tonometry and coronary plaque components (fibrous, fibrofatty, necrotic core, and dense calcium) were identified by IVUS in 594 vessel segments of the left anterior descending, circumflex, and/or right coronary arteries. RHI values <1.67 were considered abnormal. Analysis of variance was used to detect independent associations between RHI and plaque composition. Patients with an abnormal RHI had greater plaque burden (41% vs 39% in patients with normal RHI, p = 0.047). Compared to patients with normal RHI, plaque of patients with abnormal RHI had more necrotic core (21% vs 17%, p <0.001) and dense calcium (19% vs 15%, p <0.001) and less fibrous (49% vs 54%, p <0.001) and fibrofatty (11% vs 14%, p = 0.002) tissue. After adjustment for age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, and drug therapy, abnormal RHI remained significantly associated with fibrous (F ratio 14.79, p <0.001), fibrofatty (F ratio 5.66, p = 0.018), necrotic core (F ratio 14.47, p <0.001), and dense calcium (F ratio 10.80, p = 0.001) volumes. In conclusion, coronary artery plaques of patients with abnormal RHI had a larger proportion of necrotic core and dense calcium. The association of an abnormal RHI with a plaque structure that is more prone to rupture may explain why these patients exhibit a greater risk of coronary events.

Hip Osteoarthritis MRI Scoring System (HOAMS): reliability and associations with radiographic and clinical findings

To develop a semiquantitative MRI-based scoring system (HOAMS) of hip osteoarthritis (OA) and test its reliability and validity.

Meta-analysis identifies 29 additional ulcerative colitis risk loci, increasing the number of confirmed associations to 47

Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies in ulcerative colitis have identified 18 susceptibility loci. We conducted a meta-analysis of six ulcerative colitis genome-wide association study datasets, comprising 6,687 cases and 19,718 controls, and followed up the top association signals in 9,628 cases and 12,917 controls. We identified 29 additional risk loci (P < 5 × 10(-8)), increasing the number of ulcerative colitis-associated loci to 47. After annotating associated regions using GRAIL, expression quantitative trait loci data and correlations with non-synonymous SNPs, we identified many candidate genes that provide potentially important insights into disease pathogenesis, including IL1R2, IL8RA-IL8RB, IL7R, IL12B, DAP, PRDM1, JAK2, IRF5, GNA12 and LSP1. The total number of confirmed inflammatory bowel disease risk loci is now 99, including a minimum of 28 shared association signals between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Associations between alcohol consumption and selected cytokines in a Swiss population-based sample (CoLaus study)

To assess the associations between alcohol consumption and cytokine levels (interleukin-1beta - IL-1β; interleukin-6 - IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α - TNF-α) in a Caucasian population.

Associations between fluctuations in lung function and asthma control in two populations with differing asthma severity

Lung function is a major criterion used to assess asthma control. Fluctuation analyses can account for lung function history over time, and may provide an additional dimension to characterise control. The relationships between mean and fluctuations in lung function with asthma control, exacerbation and quality of life were studied in two independent data sets.

Associations between prion protein genotype and type traits in East Friesian milk sheep

Linear models were used to analyse the relationships between the prion protein genotypes and the height at the withers and rump, the heart girth and the length of the trunk of 440 East Friesian milk sheep. Significant associations were found between the ARR allele and the height of the withers and rump, and heart girth. The average height at the withers of the homozygous ARR/ARR sheep was 1.9 cm less than that of ARQ/ARQ sheep and 1.6 cm less than in sheep heterozygous for ARR; the height at the rump, length of the trunk and heart girth were similarly smaller. In the ARR/ARR ewes, the average height at the withers was 2.6 cm less and the height at the rump was 1.9 cm less than in the ARQ/ARQ ewes.