Lawrence Seaway. Different sequence types were found among isolates from single disease outbreaks, and mixtures of types were evident within 2 isolates from individual fish. Overall, the genetic diversity of VHSV in the Great Lakes region was found to be extremely low, consistent with an introduction of a new virus into a geographic region with previously naive host populations.”
“Robust bonding of a hydrogel in aqueous environment, either to another hydrogel or to a solid, is one of the major unsolved issues for the practical applications of hydrogels Liproxstatin-1 in various fields. Here we report robust

bonding between a pair of hydrogel sheets, containing over 90 wt% of water, by applying the double-network (DN)

structure. In the optimal condition, the peeling energy of the united gel sheets reaches 1200 J m(-2), which is comparable to the bulk fracture energy of a normal type of tough DN gels. This hydrogel bonding technique is also applied to form tough bonding between hydrogel and plastic plates. Furthermore, based on this technique, we have developed a facile method to synthesize robust double network hydrogels with any desirable free-shape from micro-gel precursors. These novel techniques will substantially merit the applications of the tough hydrogels in various fields, such as an artificial meniscus.”
“Paired meteorites Graves Nunatak 06128 and 06129 (GRA) represent an ancient cumulate lithology (4565.9 Ma +/- 0.3) containing high abundances of sodic plagioclase. Textures and stable isotope compositions of GRA indicate Selonsertib research buy that superimposed on the igneous lithology is a complex history of subsolidus reequilibration and low-temperature alteration that may have extended over a period of 150 Myr. In GRA, apatite is halogen-rich

with Cl between selleck products 4.5 and 5.5 wt% and F between 0.3 and 0.9 wt%. The Cl /(Cl + F + OH) ratio of the apatite is between 0.65 and 0.82. The Cl and F are negatively correlated and are heterogeneously distributed in the apatite. Merrillite is low in halogens with substantial Na in the 6-fold coordinated Na-site (approximate to 2.5%) and Mg in the smaller octahedral site. The merrillite has a negative Eu anomaly, whereas the apatite has a positive Eu anomaly. The chlorine isotope composition of the bulk GRA leachate is + 1.2 parts per thousand relative to standard mean ocean chloride (SMOC). Ion microprobe chlorine isotope analyses of the apatite range between -0.5 and + 1.2 parts per thousand. Textural relationships between the merrillite and apatite, and the high-Cl content of the apatite, suggest that the merrillite is magmatic in origin, whereas the apatite is a product of the interaction between merrillite and a Cl-rich fluid. If the replacement of merrillite by apatite occurred at approximately 800 degrees C, the fluid composition is f(HCl)/f(H(2)O) = 0.0383 and a HCl molality of 2.13 and f(HCl)/f(HF) = 50-100.

There was more than 80% compliance to the protocol in its different sections. There was laparoscopic access in 31% of the cases. The incidence of superficial and deep surgical wound infection was 25%. The patients with an infection had a higher prevalence of diabetes (48% vs 24%), transfusion (56% vs 28%), paralytic ileum (48% vs 18.7%), and intra-abdominal abscess (16% vs 3%). The multivariate analysis associated, preoperative haemoglobin and blood glucose, and the duration check details of the surgery, with incisional infection.\n\nConclusions: The prevention protocol did not have an impact on the incidence of surgical wound infection.

(C) 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. selleck chemical All rights reserved.”
“Background: Following the onset of focal ischemic stroke, the brain experiences a series of alterations including infarct evolvement, cellDular proliferation in the penumbra, and behavioral deficits. However, systematic study on the temporal and spatial

dependence of these alterations has not been provided. Results: Using multiple approaches, we assessed stroke outcomes by measuring brain injury, dynamic cellular and glial proliferation, and functional deficits at different times up to two weeks after photothrombosis (PT)-induced ischemic stroke in adult mice. Results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Nissl staining showed a maximal infarction, and brain edema and swelling 1-3 days after PT. The rate of Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu)-labeled proliferating cell generation is spatiotemporal dependent in the penumbra, with the highest rate in post ischemic days 3-4, and higher rate of proliferation in the region immediate to the ischemic core than in the distant region. Similar time-dependent generation of proliferating GFAP+ astrocytes and Iba1+ microglia/macrophage were observed in the penumbra. Using behavioral tests, we showed that PT resulted in the largest functional deficits during post ischemic days 2-4. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that first a few days is a critical period that causes PND-1186 chemical structure brain

expansion, cellular proliferation and behavioral deficits in photothrombosis-induced ischemic model, and proliferating astrocytes only have a small contribution to the pools of proliferating cells and reactive astrocytes.”
“Two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory commonly used in Mexico are paracetamol and diclofenac. These drugs reach natural waterbodies transport through the hydrological areas of agriculture and effluent treatment plants and can affect plankton. In this study, we quantified the chronic effects of paracetamol and sodium diclofenac on the population dynamics of the rotifer Plationus patulus and the cladoceran Maim macrocopa under laboratory conditions. Both these species of zooplankton are common in freshwaters and are sensitive to chemicals in the medium.

04; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.22; low-quality evidence), symptomatic DVT (RR 0.51; 95% CI 0.21 to 1.22; low-quality evidence), major bleeding (RR 7.60; 95% CI 0.94 to 61.49; very-low-quality evidence), or minor bleeding (RR 3.14; 95% CI 0.14 to 71.51). The use of heparin, compared AG-881 mw with VKA was associated with a statistically significant increase in thrombocytopenia (RR 3.73; 95% CI

2.26 to 6.16; low-quality evidence) and asymptomatic DVT (RR 1.74; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.52). However, results did not show or exclude a beneficial or detrimental effect on any of the other outcomes of interest (very-low-quality evidence). Authors’ conclusions Compared with no anticoagulation, we found a statistically significant reduction of symptomatic DVT with heparin and asymptomatic DVT with VKA. Heparin was associated with a higher risk of thrombocytopenia and asymptomatic DVT when compared with VKA. However, the findings did not rule out other clinically important benefits and harms. People with cancer with CVCs considering anticoagulation should balance the possible benefit of reduced

CA4P thromboembolic complications with the possible harms and burden of anticoagulants.”
“The distribution, morphology and nuclear subdivisions of the putative catecholaminergic and serotonergic systems within the brain of the greater canerat (sometimes spelt cane rat) were identified following immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase and serotonin. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible differences

in the complement of nuclear subdivisions of these systems when comparing those of the greater canerat with reports of these systems in other rodents. The greater canerat CBL0137 in vitro was chosen for investigation as it is a large rodent (around 2.7 kg body mass) and has an average brain mass of 13.75 g, more than five times larger than that of the laboratory rat. The greater canerats used in the present study were caught from the wild, which is again another contrast to the laboratory rat. While these differences, especially that of size, may lead to the prediction of significant differences in the nuclear complement of these systems, we found that all nuclei identified in both systems in the laboratory rat and other rodents in several earlier studies had direct homologs in the brain of the greater canerat. Moreover, there were no additional nuclei in the brain of the greater canerat that are not found in the laboratory rat or other rodents. It is noted that the locus coeruleus of the laboratory rat differs in appearance to that reported for several other rodent species. The greater canerat is phylogenetically distant from the laboratory rat, but still a member of the order Rodentia. Thus, changes in the nuclear organization of these systems appears to demonstrate a form of constraint related to the phylogenetic level of the order. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

There are three mammalian AKT isoforms located on chromosomes 14, 19 and 1, respectively. The aim of the study was to investigate genetic alterations of AKT in breast and prostatic cancers using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).\n\nMethods and results:\n\nIn oestrogen receptor(ER)-positive breast carcinomas, AKT1 was deleted in five (4.8%) and amplified in one (1%) carcinoma. Deletions of AKT2

were seen in 19 (21.1%) cases. No AKT2 amplifications were identified. Ten (9.9%) AKT3 amplifications but no deletions were seen. In prostatic cancer, AKT1 was amplified in one carcinoma (2.6%). No genetic changes were observed for AKT2 and AKT3. High frequencies of aneusomy for all chromosomes were observed in breast and prostatic carcinomas.\n\nConclusions:\n\nIn PS-095760 breast cancer

AKT3 amplifications and AKT1 and AKT2 deletions were seen, which, to our knowledge, have not been shown by FISH before. Although these two cohorts cannot be directly compared, only one AKT1 amplification was identified in prostatic carcinomas. This indicates differences in the genetic changes underlying development of breast and prostatic cancers. To evaluate further the role of genetic changes of AKT in breast cancer progression, a cohort of both ER+ and ER- patients should be evaluated.”
“Bombardment of deuterated amorphous carbon (a-C:D) and graphite systems with 20 eV D atoms has been performed using molecular dynamics simulations and two classical reactive potentials, to examine the effect of initial system choice and potential energy function on the VS-6063 concentration properties of the steady-state surface. While a-C:D structures evolve monotonically towards impact-modified surfaces, the graphite system exhibits layer-by-layer,

cyclical modification and evolves towards a steady state different from its amorphous counterpart. Longer-ranged potentials also have a noticeable effect on the interfacial structure and surface modifications under impact. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“We have experimentally studied an abrupt lateral-relaxed/strained layer heterojunction for ballistic complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, which is fabricated by a local O+ ion-induced relaxation technique for strained semiconductors on a buried oxide layer. We have demonstrated that strained substrates in various conditions Tariquidar mouse are suddenly relaxed at a critical recoil energy of O+ ions at the strained semiconductor/buried oxide layer interface. Moreover, after O+ ion implantation into strained substrates with a SiO2 mask as well as post-annealing processes, we have successfully formed lateral relaxed/strained Si layers with an abrupt strain distribution at the mask edge, according to Raman spectroscopy analysis of implanted strained substrates. In addition, strained Si layers even under the 50-nm length stripe SiO2 mask region can still keep over 60% of the strain value in strained Si layers with a large area.

(C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Natural reward and drugs of abuse converge on the mesolimbic pathway and activate common mechanism of neural plasticity in the nucleus accumbens. Chronic exposure to opiates induces plasticity in dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which regulates morphine reward tolerance. Here, we test the hypotheses that mating-induced

release of endogenous opioids in the VTA causes morphological changes Selleckchem Kinase Inhibitor Library of VTA dopamine cells in male rats, which in-turn regulate the long-term expression of experience-induced reinforcement of sexual behavior. First, sexual experience decreased VTA dopamine soma size 1 and 7 days, but not 30 days after the last mating session. This effect was blocked with naloxone before each mating session; thus, VTA dopamine cell plasticity was dependent on action of endogenous

opioids. In turn, VTA plasticity was associated with altered opiate reward, as sexually experienced males did not form conditioned place preference for 0.5 mg/kg morphine. Next, it was determined whether endogenous opioid action mediates sexual reward and memory in male rats treated with naloxone see more during mating experience, either systemically or intra-VTA. Naloxone did not prevent the initial experience-induced facilitation of sexual behavior over repeated mating sessions, or conditioned place preference for mating. However, naloxone treatment attenuated the longer-term expression of experience-induced facilitation of sexual behavior and neural activation in mesolimbic areas induced by mating-associated conditioned cues. Together, these data demonstrate that endogenous opioids during mating induce neural plasticity in www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD0530.html VTA dopamine neurons that appear critical for morphine reward and long-term memory for natural reward behavior.”
“Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK) cascades are highly conserved signaling pathways that respond to environmental cues. Arabidopsis MPK4 has been identified as a stress-responsive protein kinase. Here we demonstrate that Brassica napus MPK4 (BnMPK4) is activated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). Transient expression of a constitutively active

BnMPK4 causes H2O2 production and cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. However, little is known about how H2O2 contributes to the regulation of MPK4 kinase function. Biochemical analysis revealed that recombinant BnMPK4 autophosphorylates on both threonine and tyrosine residues in the activation loop. In the presence of H2O2, phosphorylation of BnMPK4 caused protein aggregation in vitro. The aggregation of BnMPK4 could be reversed to the monomeric form by reducing reagents. Point-mutation of cysteine codons indicated that cysteine 232 is involved in protein aggregation. Our results suggest that BnMPK4 is involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and metabolism, and its aggregation may be modulated by redox. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The glycolytic enzyme enolase-1 (ENO-1) binds plasminogen at the cell surface, enhancing local plasmin production. This study addressed the role played by ENO-1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) driven chemokine-directed monocyte migration and matrix invasion in vitro, as well as recruitment Immunology & Inflammation inhibitor of monocytes to the alveolar compartment in vivo. LPS rapidly up-regulated ENO-1

cell-surface expression on human blood monocytes and U937 cells due to protein translocation from cytosolic pools, which increased plasmin generation, enhanced monocyte migration through epithelial monolayers, and promoted matrix degradation. These effects were abrogated by antibodies directed against the plasminogen binding site of ENO-1. Overexpression of ENO-1 in U937 cells increased their migratory and matrix-penetrating capacity, which was suppressed by overexpression of a truncated ENO-1 variant lacking the plasminogen binding site (ENO-1 Delta PLG). In vivo, intratracheal LPS application in mice promoted alveolar recruitment of monocytic cells that overexpressed ENO-1, but not of cells overexpressing ENO-1 Delta PLG. Consistent with these data, pneumonia-patients exhibited increased ENO-1 cell-surface expression on blood monocytes and intense ENO-1 staining of mononuclear cells in the alveolar space. These data suggest an important mechanism of inflammatory

cell invasion mediated by increased cell-surface expression of ENO-1. (Blood. 2009; 113: 5588-5598)”
“Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite infecting one-third of the world population, residing relatively silently in the brain of the immunocompetent host. We hypothesized EPZ5676 inhibitor that T. gondii seropositivity and serointensity are associated with having a history of attempting suicide and, in those attempting suicide, a greater number of attempts. C59 cost T. gondii seropositivity and antibody

titers were compared between (a) patients with recurrent mood disorders with history of suicide attempt (99 individuals) versus (b) patients with recurrent mood disorders Without history of suicide attempt (119 individuals), and (c) healthy controls (39 individuals). Diagnosis was made using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Statistical methods included chi square, analysis of variance, and linear and logistic regression analyses. Suicide attempters had higher T. gondii antibody titers than nonsuicide attempters (p = 0.004). The logistic regression analysis revealed a predictive association between titers of anti- T. gondii antibodies and history of suicide attempt with OR = 1.55 (1.14-2.12), p = 0.006. No significant relationship was found between T. gondii seropositivity and suicide attempt status, number of prior suicide attempts, and recurrent mood disorder diagnosis. Although preliminary and bearing replication, this is the first report, to our knowledge, of an association between attempting suicide and T. gondii.

3%) knew its effects on the foetus. Meanwhile, ownership of ITN and its use were very low, 36 (9.3%) and 31 (8.0) respectively. The main factor affecting the use of the commodity in the LGA was unavailability of ITNs. Other factors included belief of the women on the effectiveness of the commodity, level of education, marital status and family sizes of respondents.\n\nConclusion: Use of Insecticide treated bed net has been hampered by unavailability of the commodity. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be made to make the commodity Fosbretabulin datasheet available to reduce morbidity and mortality among this vulnerable group.”
“Aim:

The results of controlled-intermittent anal dilatation (CIAD) or lateral internal sphincterotomy ( LIS) in the treatment of chronic anal fissures are presented.\n\nMaterial and methods: Forty patients who were randomized to

PD0332991 purchase two groups underwent CIAD or a LIS. The pre- and post-operative mean anal canal resting pressures (MACRPs) and symptoms were recorded and the results were compared.\n\nResults: Two months post-operatively, 18 patients in the CIAD group and 17 patients in the LIS group had healed completely, and had no anal incontinence or other complications. The post-operative improvement in pain, bleeding, and constipation did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the CIAD and LIS groups, the pre-operative MACRPs were 89.7 +/- 16.5 and 87.6 +/- 12.3 mmHg, respectively; 2 months post-operatively, the MACRPs had significantly decreased to 76.9 +/- 13.7 and 78.1 +/- 11.3 mmHg in the CIAD and LIS groups, respectively. No statistical difference existed in the pre- or post-treatment MACRPs between the groups.\n\nConclusion: CIAD applied with a standardized technique BMS-777607 reduced anal canal resting pressure and provided symptomatic healing that was equivalent to a LIS. Since there were no findings of incontinence, or situations which resulted in sphincter damage, we conclude that CIAD is suitable

for patients with chronic anal fissures because it is less invasive than LIS, with equivalent efficacy and safety. In addition, the CIAD method may be an alternative procedure in older and multiparous women who has a higher risk of incontinence. (c) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Surgical Associates Ltd.”
“2-Bromohexadecanoic acid, or 2-bromopalmitate, was introduced nearly 50 years ago as a nonselective inhibitor of lipid metabolism. More recently, 2-bromopalmitate re-emerged as a general inhibitor of protein S-palmitoylation. Here, we investigate the cellular targets of 2-bromopalmitate through the synthesis and application of click-enabled analogues. In cells, 2-bromopalmitate is converted to 2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA, although less efficiently than free palmitate. Once conjugated to CoA, probe reactivity is dramatically enhanced.

The transcript levels of selected ribosomal protein genes also went down initially but went up again at later stages of encystation. This suggested that rRNA and ribosomal protein transcription may be coordinately regulated. Our data

shows that encysting E. invadens cells accumulate transcripts of both the RNA and protein components of the ribosome, which may ensure rapid synthesis of new ribosomes when growth resumes. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a hormone principally produced by osteocytes/osteoblasts. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), FGF-23 levels are usually elevated and can reach up to 300 -400 times the normal range. Small molecule library FGF-23 is regulated by local bone-related and systemic factors, but the relationship between

circulating FGF-23 concentrations and bone remodeling and mineralization in CKD has not been well characterized. In the current study, we examined the relationship between FGF-23 levels and bone histomorphometry parameters in adult patients with renal osteodystrophy. Material and methods: 36 patients on dialysis (CKD-5D) underwent bone biopsies after tetracycline double labeling. Blood drawings were done at time of biopsy to determine serum levels of markers of bone and mineral metabolism. Results: Patients with high bone turnover had higher values of serum FGF-23 than patients with low bone turnover. FGF-23 levels correlated with activation frequency (rho = 0.60, p smaller than 0.01) and bone formation rate (rho = 0.57, p smaller VS-4718 manufacturer than 0.01). Normal mineralization was observed in 90% of patients with FGF-23 levels above 2,000 pg/mL. Furthermore, FGF-23 correlated negatively with mineralization lag time (rho = -0.69, p smaller than 0.01) and osteoid maturation time (rho = -0.46, p smaller than 0.05) but not with osteoid thickness (rho = 0.08, ns). Regression analysis showed that FGF-23 was the only independent predictor of mineralization lag time. FGF-23 correlated with cancellous

bone volume (rho = 0.38, p smaller than 0.05) but did not predict it. Conclusion: Circulating FGF-23 concentrations may reflect alterations in ongoing bone formation along with active mineralization, but not exclusively in bone formation GKT137831 inhibitor or mineralization. Abnormal mineralization lag time ( bigger than 100 days) was mainly seen in patients with FGF-23 levels less than 2,000 pg/mL, while very high levels of FGF-23 are associated with normal mineralization lag time.”
“PURPOSE. The chemokine Ccl2, or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), has previously been identified as playing a potential role in many ocular diseases; however, its role in mice is less clear. We sought to correlate changes in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal morphology with changes in function in aging Ccl2(-/-) mice. METHODS.

Our results revealed that the frequencies of AA genotype of XPD codon 312 polymorphism were significantly higher in the BC patients than in the normal individuals

(P a parts per thousand currency sign 0.003), and did not observe any association between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and risk of developing BC. Also, no association between both XPD Asp312Asn and XRCC1 A399G polymorphisms and the clinical characteristics of disease. Finally, the combination of AA(XPD) + AG(XRCC1) were significantly associated with BC risk. Our results suggested that, XPD gene is an important candidate gene for susceptibility to BC. Also, gene-gene interaction between check details XPD(AA) + XRCC1(AG) polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of BC in Egyptian women.”
“Severe thermal injury may be complicated by dysfunction of organs distant from the original burn wound, including the liver, and represents a serious clinical problem. Although

pathophysiology of burn-induced liver injury remains unclear, increasing evidence implicate activation of inflammatory response, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and microcirculatory disorders as the main mechanisms of hepatic injury. Several studies suggest melatonin as a multifunctional indolamine that counteracts some of the pathophysiologic steps and displays significant beneficial effects against burn-induced cellular injury. This review summarizes the role of melatonin in restricting the burn-induced hepatic injury and focuses on its effects on oxidative stress, https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-03084014-pf-3084014.html inflammatory response, endothelial dysfunction and microcirculatory disorders as well as on signaling pathways such as regulation of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB). Further studies are necessary

to Small molecule library cell assay elucidate the modulating effect of melatonin on the transcription factor responsible for the regulation of the pro-inflammatory and antioxidant genes involved in burn injuries.”
“Certificate of Need (CON) programs represent a patchwork of state regulatory programs across the United States that regulate the availability of selected health care services. Thirty-six states maintain laws designed to ensure access to health care services, maintain or improve quality, and control capital expenditures on health care services and facilities by limiting unnecessary health facility construction and checking the acquisition of major medical equipment. This article discusses the history of CON and explores controversies surrounding the current state of CON regulations.”
“The study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the root extracts of some Limonium species, viz. L. effusum, L. globuliferum and L. lilacinum. The root extracts obtained were evaluated against 9 bacteria, and 12 fungi isolated from hazelnut, and walnut.

RESULTS. Among the 52 participating institutions, the percentage of institutions meeting each benchmark varied from 27% to 83%. Facilities with American College of Surgeons or National Consortium of Breast Centers designation were more likely to meet benchmarks pertaining to cancer detection and early detection, and disproportionate share facilities were less likely to meet benchmarks pertaining to timeliness

of care. CONCLUSION. The results suggest a combination of quality of care issues and incomplete tracking of patients. To accurately measure the quality of the breast cancer screening process, it is critical that there be complete tracking of patients with abnormal screening mammography findings so that results can be interpreted solely in terms of quality of care. DAPT click here The MQSA guidelines for tracking outcomes and measuring quality indicators should be strengthened for better assessment of quality of care.”
“AimThe aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of eligible studies to derive precise estimation of the associations of lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) 252 A bigger than G polymorphism (rs909253) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk. MethodData

were collected from the following Selleck CUDC-907 electronic databases, including EMBASE, PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). A total of 19 studies (13 studies involving 1346 SLE patients and 1951 controls, six studies involving 1079 RA patients and 1057 controls) were included. ResultsThis meta-analysis showed no evidence of significant association of the A allele with SLE susceptibility (odds ratio [OR] 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.62, P=0.073), but it showed a weaker association under an additive model

(OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.01-2.65, P=0.047). Stratification by ethnicity indicated that the variant A allele carriers increased the risk of SLE in Asians (OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.44-2.53, P smaller than 0.001). However, we failed to reveal any association between LTA gene 252 A bigger than G polymorphism and RA risk under all models (for A vs. G: OR 1.02, 95%CI 0.79-1.33, P=0.853; for AA + AG vs. GG: OR 0.86, 95%CI 0.52-1.41, P=0.542; for AA vs. AG + GG: OR 1.19, 95%CI 0.80-1.78, P=0.394, for AA vs. GG: OR 1.03, 95%CI 0.58-1.84, P=0.919). Similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity. ConclusionThe present study suggests that LTA 252 A bigger than G polymorphism is associated with SLE susceptibility in Asians, and there is no significant association between LTA 252 A bigger than G polymorphism and RA.