OBJECTIVE: Hypermethylation of human papillomavirus (HPV) and host genes has been reported in cervical cancer. However, the degree of methylation of different HPV types relative to the severity of the cervical lesions remains controversial. Studies of the degree of methylation associated with the host gene and the HPV genome to the severity of cervical lesions are rare. We examined the association of methylation status between host genes and late gene 1 (L1) regions of HPV16, 18, 52, and 58 in cervical brushings. METHODS: Cervical brushings from 147 HPV-infected patients were obtained. The samples comprised normal (n=28), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (n=45), CIN2 (n=13), and CIN3/carcinoma in situ (n=61). The methylation status of HPV and host genes was measured using bisulfite pyrosequencing and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The degree of methylation of L1 in HPV16, 18, and 52 was associated with the severity of the cervical lesion. In HPV52, C-phosphate-G (CpG) sites 6368m, 6405m, and 6443m showed significantly higher methylation in lesions ≥CIN3 (p=0.005, 0.003, and 0.026, respectively). Methylation of most HPV types except HPV52 (r<−0.1) was positively correlated with the degree of methylation of host genes including PAX1 and SOX1 (0.4≤r≤0.7). Combining HPV methylation with PAX1 methylation improved the clustering for ≥CIN2. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the degree of L1 methylation of HPV16, 18, and 52 but not 58 is associated with the severity of cervical lesions. The association between HPV methylation and host gene methylation suggests different responses of host cellular epigenetic machinery to different HPV genotypes.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Genome ; Genotype ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Methylation* ; Papillomaviridae ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Irreducible dislocation of the elbow is an uncommon event. We present the case of a posterolateral elbow dislocation after a fall injury in a 67-year-old woman. A closed reduction performed in the emergency department was unsuccessful since the limited passive range of motion resulted in difficulty to perform longitudinal traction and flexion. Computed tomography images showed that the posterolateral aspect of the capitellum was impacted by the tip of the coronoid process, thus appearing similar to the Hill-Sachs lesion in the humeral head. Subsequent open reduction of the elbow revealed the dislocation to be irreducible since the tip of the coronoid process had wedged into a triangular Hill-Sachs-like lesion in the capitellum. The joint was reduced by providing distal traction on the forearm, and main fragments were disengaged using digital pressure. At the 3-month follow-up, the patient reported no dislocations, and had an acceptable range of motion. Thus, we propose that to avoid iatrogenic injury to the joint or other nearby structures, irreducible dislocations should not be subjected to repeated manipulation.
Aged ; Dislocations ; Elbow ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Joints ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Traction

Objective To discuss the effect of lesser-known potential risk factors, such as bedroom showers, on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. Method A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed using both survey and fungal culturing in southern Taiwan. There were 998 participants enrolled in the survey, and 513 sets of fungal culture obtained. With score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) more than 7, the patient was defined to have allergic rhinitis. Risks of allergic rhinitis were calculated as odds ratios for various predicted risk factors by logistic regression. Correlation between predicted risk factors and fungal level were examined with linear regression. Results The adjusted odds ratio of frequently using bedroom shower to having allergic rhinitis was 1.572 (95% confidence interval: 1.090–2.265), and 0.962 for people with older age to have AR (95% confidence interval: 0.949–0.976). As to the 24-hour fungal level, the standardized coefficient was 0.254 for frequent use of bedroom shower, and 0.106 for window open hours. Conclusions Use of bedroom shower is a potential risk factor for allergic rhinitis development.