Our study aimed to associate IL-1β and IL-1RN polymorphisms with AD disease in comparison with elderly control group from São Paulo - Brazil. We genotyped 199 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 165 elderly control and 122 young control samples, concerning VNTR (IL-1RN) and -511C>T and -31T>C (IL-1β) polymorphisms. Our findings revealed that -511C/-31T/2-repetitions VNTR haplotype had a protective effect for AD when compared to EC (p=0.005), whereas -511C/-31C/1-repetition VNTR haplotype was associated as a risk factor for AD (p=0.021). Taken together, we may suggest that there is a relevant role of IL-1 genes cluster in AD pathogenesis in this Brazilian population.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that takes the form of a local overexpression of cytokines and other inflammatory molecules. We investigated three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the interleukin 6 gene (IL-6) promoter region [-174G/C (rs 1800795), -572C/G (rs 1800796), and -597G/A (rs 1800797)] in 200 patients with late-onset AD and 165 elderly controls in a Brazilian case-control population sample. Genotyping was carried out from blood cells using PCR-RFLP techniques. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and to compare frequencies between groups. No association was found between any IL-6 polymorphism and AD; however the haplotype composed of the -597 A allele and the -174G allele indicated a crude odds ratio (OR) of 0.15 (p = 0.0021) and a significantly adjusted OR (adjusted for the APOE E4 allele value) of 0.15 (p = 0.00294). Linkage disequilibrium was D' = 0.68 among the three SNPs. Our findings revealed a protective effect of AG (-597A, -174G) haplotype, which worked independently of the APOE E4 allele in our Brazilian population sample. Thus, the promoter region of IL-6 gene probably exerts an effect through gene linkage and/or gene interaction.

Purpose. To compare ab interno and ab externo scleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOL) using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Methods. Randomized patients underwent ab externo or ab interno scleral fixation of a PCIOL. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed 3 to 6 months postoperatively, to determine PCIOL centration, IOL distance to the iris at 12, 3, 6, and 9 hours, and haptics placement in relation to the ciliary sulcus. Results. Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study. The ab externo technique was used in 7 eyes (46.6%) and the ab interno in 8 eyes (53.3%). In the ab externo technique, 14 haptics were located: 4 (28.57%) in the ciliary sulcus; 2 (14.28%) anterior to the sulcus; and 8 (57.14%) posterior to the sulcus, 6 in the ciliary body and 2 posterior to the ciliary body. In the ab interno group, 4 haptics (25.0%) were in the ciliary sulcus, 2 (12.50%) anterior to the sulcus, and 10 (75.0%) posterior to the sulcus, 4 in the ciliary body and 6 posterior to the ciliary body. Conclusions. Ab externo and ab interno scleral fixation techniques presented similar results in haptic placement. Ab externo technique presented higher vertical tilt when compared to the ab interno.