The -938C>A polymorphism in MYD88 is associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis: A pilot study

Introduction. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major disease worldwide, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection.The Toll- Like Receptor (TLR) pathway plays a crucial role in the recognition of MTB. Aim. The present study aimed to investigate the involvement of myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MYD88) gene polymorphisms in TB. Materials and Methods. A total of 103 TB cases and 92 control subjects were genotyped for the MYD88 -938C>A (rs4988453) and 1944C>G (rs4988457) polymorphisms. Results. The MYD88 -938CA and -938AA genotypes were associated with an increased risk for tuberculosis with odds ratio (OR) of 5.71 (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 2.89-11.28, p = 0.01). Conclusions. The MYD88 -938C>A genetic polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to TB and may serve as a marker to screen individuals who are at risk. © Copyright 2016 Kalliopi Aggelou et al

The correlation of right 2D:4D finger length ratio to the low-grade inflammation marker IL-6 in children: The healthy growth study

Background: Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with cardiometabolic risk in adults. Aim: To examine the association of right 2D:4D with cardiovascular disease risk factors in children. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: A sample of 301 children (53.5% girls) aged 9-13 in Greece and their parents. Children who were sick during the previous week of examination (n = 44) were excluded from the analyses. Outcome measures: Socio-demographic (gestational age, birth weight, age, gender, maternal education level), anthropometric (body weight and height, finger length), clinical (pubertal stage, sickness during the previous week of the examination), blood [serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), serum high sensitivity interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum leptin], lifestyle (dietary intake, maternal smoking during pregnancy) and physical fitness (handgrip strength) data were collected. CRP, IL-6 and leptin were measured with ELISA, using standard equipment and procedures, in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. Results: Full data were available for 257 children (52.1% girls). The rank values of right 2D:4D and IL-6 were included in the analyses. Right 2D:4D was correlated only with IL-6 at a bivariate level (r = 0.216, p = 0.012) in girls. At a linear multivariate level, this association remained significant, even after adjusting for several potential confounders such as age, Tanner stage, maternal education level, body mass index, maternal smoking during pregnancy, duration of pregnancy, protein-, carbohydrate-, fat-intake and physical fitness (β ± SE = 0.220 ± 0.066, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Right 2D:4D was found to be associated with IL-6 in girls. Right 2D:4D may be a valuable, simple screening tool of low-grade inflammation in children. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd