Do common genetic variants in endotoxin signaling pathway contribute to predisposition to alcoholic liver cirrhosis?

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), produced by endotoxin-activated Kupffer cells, play a key role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Alleles TNFA -238A, IL1B -31T and variant IL1RN*2 of repeat polymorphism in the gene encoding the IL-1 receptor antagonist increase production of TNF-α and IL-1β, respectively. Alleles CD14 -159T, TLR4 c.896G and TLR4 c.1196T modify activation of Kupffer cells by endotoxin. We confirmed the published associations between these common variants and genetic predisposition to ALC by means of a large case-control association study conducted on two Central European populations. Methods: The study population comprised a Czech sample of 198 ALC patients and 370 controls (MONICA project), and a German sample of 173 ALC patients and 331 controls (KORA-Augsburg), and 109 heavy drinkers without liver disease. Results: Single locus analysis revealed no significant difference between patients and controls in all tested loci. Diplotype [IL1RN*2/*2; IL1B -31T+] was associated with increased risk of ALC in the pilot study, but not in the validation samples. Conclusions: Although cytokine mediated immune reactions play a role in the pathogenesis of ALC, hereditary susceptibility caused by variants in the corresponding genes is low in Central European populations. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:398-40

Status Report of the DPHEP Study Group: Towards a Global Effort for Sustainable Data Preservation in High Energy Physics

Data from high-energy physics (HEP) experiments are collected with significant financial and human effort and are mostly unique. An inter-experimental study group on HEP data preservation and long-term analysis was convened as a panel of the International Committee for Future Accelerators (ICFA). The group was formed by large collider-based experiments and investigated the technical and organisational aspects of HEP data preservation. An intermediate report was released in November 2009 addressing the general issues of data preservation in HEP. This paper includes and extends the intermediate report. It provides an analysis of the research case for data preservation and a detailed description of the various projects at experiment, laboratory and international levels. In addition, the paper provides a concrete proposal for an international organisation in charge of the data management and policies in high-energy physics

Sex- and age-related increase in prevalence rates of death wishes and suicidal ideation in the community: results from the KORA-F3 Augsburg study with 3154 men and women, 35 to 84 years of age

Among risk factors for suicide, suicidal ideation (SID) is of paramount importance. This study sought to determine sex- and age-related SID point prevalence rates in the general population. A population-based survey of 3154 subjects, 35 to 84 years, conducted in 2004/05 in southern Germany, identified 170 subjects (5.4%; 95% CI 4.6-6.2) suffering from SID within the last 14 days. Age-adjusted short-term period prevalence in women (6.0%, 95% CI 4.9-7.2) was higher than in men (4.0%, 95% CI 3.1-5.1). Among 10-year age groups, sex-related differences were only significant in middle-aged subjects (55-64 years). Prevalence increased significantly with age, leading to a prevalence of > 10% in the oldest age group (75-84 years). The population-based approach demonstrates a substantial proportion of subjects suffering from SID, particularly in older age groups

The European Hare (Lepus europaeus): A Picky Herbivore Searching for Plant Parts Rich in Fat.

European hares of both sexes rely on fat reserves, particularly during the reproduc-tive season. Therefore, hares should select dietary plants rich in fat and energy. However, hares also require essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to reproduce and survive. Although hares are able to absorb PUFA selectively in their gastrointestinal tract, it is unknown whether this mechanism is sufficient to guarantee PUFA supply. Thus, diet selection may involve a trade-off between a preference for energy versus a preference for crucial nutrients, namely PUFA. We compared plant and nutrient availability and use by hares in an arable landscape in Austria over three years. We found that European hares selected their diet for high energy content (crude fat and crude protein), and avoided crude fibre. There was no evidence of a preference for plants rich in LA and ALA. We conclude that fat is the limiting resource for this herbivorous mammal, whereas levels of LA and ALA in forage are sufficiently high to meet daily requirements, especially since their uptake is enhanced by physiological mechanisms. Animals selected several plant taxa all year round, and preferences did not simply correlate with crude fat content. Hence, European hares might not only select for plant taxa rich in fat, but also for high-fat parts of preferred plant taxa. As hares preferred weeds/grasses and various crop types while avoiding cereals, we suggest that promoting heterogeneous habitats with high crop diversity and set-asides may help stop the decline of European hares throughout Europe

Do common genetic variants in endotoxin signaling pathway contribute to predisposition to alcoholic liver cirrhosis?

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), produced by endotoxin-activated Kupffer cells, play a key role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Alleles TNFA -238A, IL1B -31T and variant IL1RN*2 of repeat polymorphism in the gene encoding the IL-1 receptor antagonist increase production of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, respectively. Alleles CD14 -159T, TLR4 c.896G and TLR4 c.1196T modify activation of Kupffer cells by endotoxin. We confirmed the published associations between these common variants and genetic predisposition to ALC by means of a large case-control association study conducted on two Central European populations. METHODS: The study population comprised a Czech sample of 198 ALC patients and 370 controls (MONICA project), and a German sample of 173 ALC patients and 331 controls (KORA-Augsburg), and 109 heavy drinkers without liver disease. RESULTS: Single locus analysis revealed no significant difference between patients and controls in all tested loci. Diplotype [IL1RN 2/ 2; IL1B -31T+] was associated with increased risk of ALC in the pilot study, but not in the validation samples. CONCLUSIONS: Although cytokine mediated immune reactions play a role in the pathogenesis of ALC, hereditary susceptibility caused by variants in the corresponding genes is low in Central European populations

Post-hoc test results of the electivity indices (parameter estimates β and <i>p</i>-values) of the different fatty acids for the covariate season using the Tukey’s all-pair comparisons method (n = 269).

<p>Post-hoc test results of the electivity indices (parameter estimates β and <i>p</i>-values) of the different fatty acids for the covariate season using the Tukey’s all-pair comparisons method (n = 269).</p

Post-hoc test results of the electivity indices (parameter estimates β and <i>p</i>-values) of all DM components for the covariate season using the Tukey’s all-pair comparisons method (n = 263).

<p>Post-hoc test results of the electivity indices (parameter estimates β and <i>p</i>-values) of all DM components for the covariate season using the Tukey’s all-pair comparisons method (n = 263).</p