Serum HMGB1 in febrile seizures

The role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures (FSs) is unclear. In our controlled follow-up study, we compared serum levels of HMGB1 (s-HMGB1) in the same individuals after the first FS, during febrile episodes without a FS, after recurrent FS, during healthy periods after FS, and between patients and controls. In all, 122 patients with FSs were included in the final analysis, including 18 with recurrent FSs with a complete follow-up protocol. We recruited 30 febrile children and 18 matched febrile children without seizures as controls. S-HMGB1 was lower in patients with recurrent FSs after the first FS than that in matched febrile control children (median 1.12 μg/L (0.14–2.95) vs 1.79 μg/L (0.33–47.90), P<0.04). We did not find any other differences in s-HMGB1 between the groups. S-HMGB1 did not differ in different types of FSs. We updated a meta-analysis of s-HMGB1 in patients with FSs and found that the differences were significant only in the studies conducted in East Asian populations. We conclude that S-HMGB1 does not seem to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of FSs but differences in HMGB1 concentrations could explain some of the ethnicity related susceptibility to FSs.Peer reviewe

Individual variation in body odor

Humans produce numerous volatile compounds from different areas of the body, either as a direct result of metabolic processes or indirectly via metabolismof resident microflora. Body odors vary between individuals, partly due to genetic differences, but odors of the same individual also vary across time due to environmental influences. We discuss how at least part of the genetic influence appears to be related to certain personality characteristics and to sexual orientation. We then review the current state of the art in terms of intraindividual variation, including effects of intrinsic factors, such as hormonal influences on body odor and environmental factors, namely effects of diet and certain diseases. Some of these changes can be perceived by other individuals and might therefore provide social cues of current motivational, nutritional, and health status. Finally, we discuss how specific odor profiles associated with certain infectious diseases and metabolic disorders can be used as a cheap and efficient medical screening tool