Objective: We compared four haplotype-based approaches for the analysis of gene-environment interactions when haplotype-phase is ambiguous. The methods employ different versions of the expectation maximization algorithm and differ in the choice of the reference group and in the way the risk of disease is modeled (retrospective versus prospective). Furthermore, the methods are based on distinct ...

OBJECTIVE Acellular pertussis vaccines were introduced with the promise of an improved safety profile compared with whole-cell vaccines. In 1997-1998, Canada adopted 1 combination acellular pertussis vaccine, having previously used 1 particular combination whole-cell pertussis vaccine. We hypothesized that the change would result in a decrease in hospitalization rates for seizures and reports o...

macrophage activating syndrome (mas) is a life-threatening disease seen in autoimmune diseases including lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, still's disease, polyarteritis nodosa. it is characterized by fever, pancytopenia, liver failure, coagulopathy, and neurologic symptoms and high serum ferritin. a 27 yr. old female patient was admitted in shahid mostafa khomeini hospital (tehra...

primary immunodeficiencies (pid) are a group of disorders, characterized by an unusual susceptibility to infections. delay in diagnosis results in increased morbidity and mortality in affected patients. the purpose of this study was to determine the mortality rate of iranian immunodeficient patients referred to children medical center hospital affiliated to tehran university of medical sciences...

Early detection of lung cancer is a key factor for increasing the survival rates of lung cancer patients. The analysis of exhaled breath is promising as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of lung cancer. We demonstrate the quantitative analysis of carbonyl volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and identification of lung cancer VOC markers in exhaled breath using unique silicon microreactor...

Polymorphisms in the regulatory region of the CCR5 gene affect protein expression and modulate the progress of HIV-1 disease. Because of this prominent role, variations in this gene have been under differential pressure and their frequencies vary among human populations. The CCR2V64I mutation is tightly linked to certain polymorphisms in the CCR5 gene. The current Omani population is geneticall...

Handwriting is a complex activity that entails an intricate blend of cognitive, sensory and motor abilities. The act of writing presents difficulties for children with dysgraphia and ADHD. The objective of this study was to determine ways in which the analysis of both objective, digitizer-based evaluation of the handwriting process and subjective, human-based evaluation of the handwriting produ...