α TNF- serum levels

Serum from each subject was obtained from 5 mL whole blood and stored at -70°C until tested. An ELISA kit was used for the measurement of TNF-α levels according to manufacturer's instructions (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN).

Statistics

Allele frequencies were evaluated by gene count and 2 × 2 contingency tables. Statistical differences of allele fre- quencies between elders and controls were done employ- ing chi square test and Yate's correction. Obtained P values were subjected to Bonferroni's correction. Odds ratio was calculated for healthy elders' carriers of specific alleles. Data were tested for the goodness of fit between the observed and expected genotype values and their fit to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

List of Abbreviations

List of Abbreviations HLA Human Leukocyte Antigen

TNF Tumor Necrosis Factor

PCR SSO Polymerase Chain Reaction Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide

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