PADI4 Polymorphisms in Iranian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects many tissues and organs, but majorly attacks synovial joints. Beyond the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, Peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV (PADI4) has been suggested to be associated with RA susceptibility. Evidence regarding the association of PADI4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and RA is controversial, thus we conducted this large-scale case-control study to assess the association of rs874881 and rs11203367 PADI4 SNPs with susceptibility to RA.

Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptor Genes in Iranian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent synovitis, ultimately leading to cartilage and bone degeneration. Natural Killer cells and CD28 null T-cells are suspected as role players in RA pathogenesis. These cells are similar in feature and function, as they both exert their cytotoxic effect via Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptors (KIR) on their surface.

Determination of sensitivity and specificity of a novel gene dosage assay for prenatal screening of trisomy 21 syndrome.

Objective: To compare the gene dosage results achieved by a novel multiplex quantitative assay with cytogenetic and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis for prenatal screening of trisomy 21 syndrome on corresponding fetal samples.

Design And Methods: Fetal samples (n=134) were collected from pregnant women considered high risk for having trisomy 21 affected fetus. Cytogenetic analysis and QF-PCR were performed.