“
“PURPOSE: To identify the life course model that best describes the association between life course socioeconomic position (SEP) and cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors (ie, body mass index [BMI], systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density selleck lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin) and explore BMI across the life course as mediators of the relationship.\n\nMETHODS: The Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development was used to compare partial F-tests of simpler nested life course SEP models corresponding to critical period, accumulation, and social mobility models with a saturated model. Then, the

chosen life course model for each CVD risk factor was adjusted for BMI at age 53 and lifetime BMI (ages 4, 26, 43, and 53 years).\n\nRESULTS: Among women, SEP was generally associated with CVD risk factors in a cumulative manner, whereas childhood critical period

was the prominent model for men. When the best-fitting SEP models were used, we found that adjustment for BMI at age 53 reduced associations for all outcomes in check details both genders. Further adjustment for lifetime BMI (4, 26, 43, and 53 years) did not substantially alter most associations (except for triglycerides).\n\nCONCLUSIONS: SEP at different points across life influences CVD risk factors differently in men and women. Ann Epidemiol 2011;21:589-597. Published by Elsevier Inc.”
“Background Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important actors in the innate immune system. One class of AMPs is the human -defensins (HBDs), a group of small peptides with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Expression of HBDs is downregulated in different manifestations of allergic disease. In

this study, we examine whether allergen-specific 3-Methyladenine in vivo immunotherapy (ASIT) affects the nasal levels of HBDs in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Methods Nasal biopsies were examined for the occurrence of HBD1-3 with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Nasal lavage (NAL) fluids from healthy individuals, untreated SAR patients and SAR patients before and after ASIT were analyzed for levels of HBD1-3 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Examination of nasal biopsies revealed HBD1-3 expression at gene level as well as at protein level in all samples tested. HBD1 and HBD3 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were downregulated in SAR patients compared to healthy individuals. All HBDs were found in NAL fluids. SAR patients having completed 3 years of ASIT displayed higher levels of HBD1 and HBD2 than before treatment, whereas levels of HBD3 were unaffected. Conclusion The present study demonstrates an upregulation of HBD1 and HBD2 in SAR patients after completion of ASIT. This may reflect the importance of an intact innate immune response as part of our defense against infections among allergic individuals. (C) 2013 ARS-AAOA, LLC.