Discovering the link between IL12RB1 gene polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility: a comprehensive meta-analysis

IntroductionNumerous studies suggest that the risk of tuberculosis (TB) is linked to gene polymorphisms of the interleukin-12 receptor b subunit 1 (IL12RB1), but the association between IL12RB1 polymorphisms and TB susceptibility has not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsA meta-analysis was conducted based on eight case-control studies with 10,112 individuals to further explore this topic. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpt Medica Database, and Google Scholar up until April 6th, 2023 was performed. ORs and 95% CIs were pooled using the random-effect model. The epidemiological credibility of all significant associations was assessed using the Venice criteria and false-positive report probability (FPRP) analyses.ResultsThe IL12RB1 rs11575934 and rs401502 showed solid evidence of no significant association with TB susceptibility. However, a weak association was observed between the IL12RB1 rs375947 biomarker and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.21).DiscussionThese findings should be confirmed through larger, better-designed studies to clarify the relationship between biomarkers in IL12RB1 gene and different types of TB susceptibility

Dumbbell shaped craniorbital cavernous hemangioma.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous hemangioma of the orbit is a benign tumor mostly located behind the eye globe, but it rarely spread into the brain, which is called cerebral cavernous malformation as well, the lesion in the brain is irregular and enlarged blood. Here we report one particular case of craniorbital cavernous hemangioma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old woman presented with exophthalmos of the right eye and reduced vision. Computerized tomographical (CT) scan showed osteolytic honeycomb radial changes of the outer plate of the skull. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed to obtain further details. T1-weighted (T1W) imaging showed slightly low signal mixed with small patchy high signal. T2-weighted (T2W) imaging showed uneven high signal. There was obvious enhancement in the middle and no enhancement in the peripheral bars. A surgically manage was performed using a left frontotemporal approach, the tumor excised fully, and the histopathology results revealed a cavernous hemangioma. The patient recovered well in the follow-up. Post-operative CT scan identified the lesion was successfully resected, MRI scan also showed full resection and enhanced signal from the presence of fat. CONCLUSIONS: Craniorbital cavernous hemangioma is uncommon, however within the cranium, they can lead to numerous complications particularly if affecting the visual apparatus. it could be diagnosed by imaging, which CT scan shows osteolytic honeycomb radial changes of the outer plate of the skull, T1W imaging shows slightly low signal mixed with small patchy high signal, T2W imaging shows uneven high signal, it is obvious enhancement in the middle and no enhancement in the peripheral bars. The surgically manage is the ideally treatment when there are some symptoms

HIV-1 Tat protein alter the tight junction integrity and function of retinal pigment epithelium: an in vitro study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>How HIV-1 enter into the eyes remains obscure. We postulated that HIV-1 Tat protein can alter the expression of specific tight-junction proteins and disturb the blood retinal barrier, and contributes to HIV trafficking into the eyes. This study is to determine the effects of HIV-1 Tat proteins on the barrier function and tight-junction protein expression of retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A human RPE cell line (D407) cultured on microporous filter-supports was used. After treating with HIV-1 Tat protein, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of confluent RPE cells was measured by epithelial voltmeter. The permeability of the RPE cells to sodium fluorescein was measured. The expressions of the occludin and claudins were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. Activation of ERK1/2 was detected by Western blot analysis with specific antiphospho protein antibodies. NF-κB DNA binding activity was determined by transcription factor assay. Specific pharmacologic inhibitors directed against the MAPKs were used to analyze the signaling involved in barrier destruction of RPE cells exposed to HIV-1 Tat.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treating cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells with 100 nM Tat for 24 hours increased the permeability and decreased the TER of the epithelial monolayer. HIV-1 Tat also disrupted and downregulated the tight-junction proteins claudin-1, claudin-3, and claudin-4 in these cells, whereas claudin-2 was upregulated, and the expression of occludin was unaffected. HIV-1 Tat protein also induced activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB. HIV-1 Tat protein induced barrier destruction, changes in expression of TJs, and activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB were abrogated by inhibitor of ERK1/2 and NF-κB.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HIV-1 Tat protein causes increases in the paracellular permeability of RPE cells in vitro concomitant with changes in expression of certain transmembrane proteins associated with the tight junction. The effects of HIV-1 Tat on barrier function of the RPE may be mediated by ERK MAPK and NF-κB activation, which may represent potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches for the retinopathy induced by HIV infection.</p

Managerial Risk-Taking Incentives and Bank Earnings Management: Evidence from FAS 123R

We study the effect of CEOs’ risk-taking incentives (vega), derived from their stock options, on earnings management (EMGT) by banks. Prior research finds an inconsistent relationship between vega and EMGT in non-financial firms. In the banking industry, the effect of vega on EMGT is further complicated by the strict regulatory environment. To establish causality, we exploit the exogenous reduction in vega resulting from Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 123R in 2005 that mandates a fair-value-based method to expense stock options and increases costs of granting option compensation. Using the difference-in-differences approach, we find that banks with a larger drop in CEO vega due to FAS 123R significantly reduce EMGT. The findings suggest that CEO vega has a positive and causal effect on bank EMGT. Our results are robust enough to employ in different research designs and specifications. Furthermore, we find that the negative effect of FAS 123R on EMGT is weaker in banks subject to a higher possibility of regulatory intervention

Managerial Risk-Taking Incentives and Bank Earnings Management: Evidence from FAS 123R

We study the effect of CEOs&rsquo; risk-taking incentives (vega), derived from their stock options, on earnings management (EMGT) by banks. Prior research finds an inconsistent relationship between vega and EMGT in non-financial firms. In the banking industry, the effect of vega on EMGT is further complicated by the strict regulatory environment. To establish causality, we exploit the exogenous reduction in vega resulting from Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 123R in 2005 that mandates a fair-value-based method to expense stock options and increases costs of granting option compensation. Using the difference-in-differences approach, we find that banks with a larger drop in CEO vega due to FAS 123R significantly reduce EMGT. The findings suggest that CEO vega has a positive and causal effect on bank EMGT. Our results are robust enough to employ in different research designs and specifications. Furthermore, we find that the negative effect of FAS 123R on EMGT is weaker in banks subject to a higher possibility of regulatory intervention

Prognostic Value of FOXM1 in Patients with Malignant Solid Tumor: A Meta-Analysis and System Review

Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), a member of the Fox transcription factors family, was closely related with cell cycle. FOXM1 played an important role in MST and prompted a poor prognosis for MST patients. However, there were also some studies revealing no significant association between the FOXM1 expression and prognosis of patients. Therefore, we conducted meta-analysis to investigate whether the expression of FOXM1 was associated with MST prognosis. We collected 36 relevant studies through PubMed database and obtained research data of 4946 patients. Stata 12.0 was used to express the results as hazard ratio (HR) for time-to-event outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). It was shown that overexpression of FOXM1 was relevant to worse survival of MST patients (HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.79–2.21, P<0.001; I2=26.4%, Ph=0.076). Subgroup analysis suggested that overexpression of FOXM1 in breast cancer (BC), gastric cancer (GC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) all predicted a worse survival (P<0.05), in addition to ovarian cancer (OC) (P=0.084). In conclusion, our research indicated that overexpression of FOXM1 was to the disadvantage of the prognosis for majority of MST and therefore can be used as an evaluation index of prognosis

The resolution estimation of wedge and strip anodes

A new resolution estimation method for wedge and strip anode based on the single photon imaging configuration is provided. The limiting resolution estimation equation is deduced theoretically according to the threshold principle. The relation between the charge cloud and the covered electrodes is discussed, and the equivalent diameter number is calculated. The resolution equation for the position deviation amplitude or FWHM is provided if noise exists. The relation between the position deviation amplitude and the total charge deviation amplitudes is discussed. The constancy of the position deviation amplitudes versus positions is provided. The results calculated from these equations are discussed. According to the equations, it is indicated that the spatial resolution is affected by the detection system configuration and noise. These conclusions may be useful for the designing and performance improvement of future photon imagers. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4729117