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Systematic Series (systematic + series)
Selected AbstractsInterplay of genetic risk factors and parent monitoring in risk for nicotine dependenceADDICTION, Issue 10 2009Li-Shiun Chen ABSTRACT Background Several studies have found replicable associations between nicotine dependence and specific variants in the nicotinic receptor genes CHRNA5(rs16969968) and CHRNA3(rs3743078). How these newly identified genetic risks combine with known environmental risks is unknown. This study examined whether the level of parent monitoring during early adolescence modified the risk of nicotine dependence associated with these genetic variants. Methods In a cross-sectional case,control study of US-based community sample of 2027 subjects, we use a systematic series of regression models to examine the effect of parent monitoring on risk associated with two distinct variants in the nicotinic receptor genes CHRNA5(rs16969968) and CHRNA3(rs3743078). Results Low parent monitoring as well as the previously identified genetic variants were associated with an increased risk of nicotine dependence. An interaction was found between the SNP(rs16969968) and parent monitoring (P = 0.034). The risk for nicotine dependence increased significantly with the risk genotype of SNP(rs16969968) when combined with lowest-quartile parent monitoring. In contrast, there was no evidence of an interaction between SNP(rs3743078) and parent monitoring (P = 0.80). Conclusions The genetic risk of nicotine dependence associated with rs16969968 was modified by level of parent monitoring, while the genetic risk associated with rs3743078 was not, suggesting that the increased risk due to some genes may be mitigated by environmental factors such as parent monitoring. [source] Development of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with typical primary biliary cirrhosis,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Raoul Poupon Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC),autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by the occurence of both conditions at the same time in the same patient. In addition to PBC-AIH overlap syndrome, transitions from one autoimmune disease to another have been reported, but no systematic series have been published. We report a series of 12 patients with consecutive occurrence of PBC and AIH (i.e., PBC followed by AIH). Among 282 PBC patients, 39 were identified who fulfilled criteria for probable or definitive AIH. AIH developed in 12 patients (4.3%). The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar to those of patients with classical PBC. Time elapsed between the diagnosis of PBC and the diagnosis of AIH varied from 6 months to 13 years. Patients with multiple flares of hepatitis at the time of diagnosis of AIH had cirrhosis on liver biopsy. Ten patients were given prednisone ± azathioprine; short-term as well as sustained remissions were obtained in 8 of these, while two had multiple relapses and eventually died 8 and 7 years after diagnosis of AIH. In conclusion, the development of superimposed AIH could not be predicted from baseline characteristics and initial response to UDCA therapy. If not detected early, superimposed AIH can result in rapid progression toward cirrhosis and liver failure in PBC patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:85,90.) [source] Effects of indium incorporation in AlGaN on threading dislocation densityPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2005H. Kang Abstract A comparison of dislocation densities in AlGaN and InAlGaN with approximately similar alloy compositions was completed. A systematic series of the AlGaN layers with concentration of 17% Aluminum were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition with trace amounts of indium incorporated into the layers. X-ray diffraction analysis by Williamson Hall plot and reciprocal space mapping was employed to investigate columnar structure in these layers. It was found that lateral coherence length, related to threading dislocation, was systematically varied with Indium content. The lateral coherence length increased with the consequence that the threading dislocation density decreased as Indium content increased, which indicated that even small amounts of indium incorporation could improve crystalline quality. The results are in good agreement with etch pit density study using AFM. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Tunable DNA Cleavage by Intercalating PeptidoconjugatesCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 5 2006Kerry P. Mahon Jr. Abstract The properties of a novel family of peptide-based DNA-cleavage agents are described. Examination of the DNA-cleavage activities of a systematic series of peptide,intercalator conjugates revealed trends that show a strong dependence on peptide sequence. Conjugates differing by a single residue displayed reactivities that varied over a wide range. The cleavage activity was modulated by the electrostatic or steric qualities of individual amino acids. Isomeric conjugates that differed in the position of the tether also exhibited different reactivities. The mechanism of DNA cleavage for these compounds was also probed and was determined to involve hydrogen-atom abstraction from the DNA backbone. Previous studies of these compounds indicated that amino acid peroxides were the active agents in the cleavage reaction; in this report, the chemistry underlying the reaction is characterized. The results reported provide insight into how peptide sequences can be manipulated to produce biomimetic compounds. [source] | ||||||||||